Author: William OFlaherty

Fact / Quote / Quiz: January 4th

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

The book Screwtape Proposes a Toast, an essay collection was first published (but now out of print) on this day (1/4) in 1965.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
from “Is Theology Poetry?”
(Published in Screwtape Proposes a Toast on 1/4/1965)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

What is the first book of essays that Lewis himself had published?
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

Fact / Quote / Quiz: January 3rd

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

The essay “Religion and Science” was published in The Coventry Evening Telegraph on this day (1/3) in 1945.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“If there were anything outside Nature, and if it interfered – then the events which the scientist expected wouldn’t follow. That would be what we call a miracle.”

Religion and Science
(Published in The Coventry Evening Telegraph on 1/3/1945)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

Although fourteen chapters are in The Great Divorce, it was first published in how many weekly installments?
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

A Pilgrim in Narnia (Brenton Dickieson)

William OFlaherty Resource Spotlight

Welcome to first of a new weekly series whose aim is to share useful resources online related to C.S. Lewis. It may be a single article, free audio or video piece or like today an entire website. As you can tell from the title, the site is called “A Pilgrim in Narnia.” Brenton Dickieson is the mastermind behind the site that does a wonderful job discussing a large variety of content related to C.S. Lewis. In the spirit of full disclosure,

Fact / Quote / Quiz: January 2nd

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

The paperback edition of Reflections of the Psalms was published on this date (1/2) in 1961. It was first released in 1958.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“No good work is done anywhere without aid from the Father of Lights.”

Reflections on the Psalms
(Published in paperback in the UK 1/2/1961)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

How was Pauline Baynes selected to illustrate the Narnia books?
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

RETROSPECT: January 1st – 10th

William OFlaherty Jack in Retrospect, Special Feature

Highlights for the first third of January (1st – 10th) include: Two books published for the first time (one posthumously), two paperback debuts, and initial US versions of two of his books.

If you’ve been reading this series for any three month span, you likely noticed he wrote a good variety of books (some being published after his death). Sometimes I’ve noted when Lewis’s books were released in the US for the first time or when debuting in paperback editions. During this short period a total of six books became available in one of these forms or another.

It was on the 6th in 1944 that The Abolition of Man was released. This is the only book of totally new material during this third segment of January.

Fact / Quote / Quiz: January 1st

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

On this day (1/1) in 1931 Lewis began the first “walking tour” with his brother, Warnie.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“There is no use in talking as if forgiveness were easy…For we find that the work of forgiveness has to be done over and over again.”

Reflections on the Psalms
(Published in paperback in the UK 1/2/1961)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

Finish the quote (four words):
“Reality, in fact, is always something _____ _____ ______ ______ . That’s one of the reasons I believe Christianity.”
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

Fact / Quote / Quiz: December 31st

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

Letter to the Editor, “Version Vernacular” published today (12/31) in 1958 in The Christian Century.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“In this world everything is upside down. That which, if it could be prolonged here, would be a truancy, is likest that which in a better country is the End of ends. Joy is the serious business of Heaven. ”

Beyond the Bright Blur
(Published 12/25/1963; chapter 17 of Letters to Malcolm)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

When Lewis was 20 something special happen to him this month. What was it?
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

2013 Best of Recap

William OFlaherty All About Jack

Over the last year I’ve had the privilege of interviewing many individuals. I checked the data of what shows were downloaded the most and the following podcast shares some of them. The program is just over 30 minutes, so I only share some brief moments from them. Check the links below to listen to those entire shows (and learn what I highlight). I also provide a second list of links to shows I didn’t include in the recap (because they were in the last two months) that were among the top downloads for the year.
(Click “Read More” to Listen to this Interview)

Fact / Quote / Quiz: December 30th

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

On December 29, 1944 the essay “Private Bates” was published in The Spectator. Now available in Present Concerns.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“We must get rid of our arrogant assumption that it is the masses who can be led by the nose. As far as I can make out, the shoe is on the other foot. The only people who are really the dupes of their favourite newspapers are the intelligentsia. It is they who read leading articles: the poor read the sporting news, which is mostly true.”

Private Bates
(Published in The Spectator on 12/29/1944)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

How long did it take Lewis to write the first five published Narnia books?
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

Fact / Quote / Quiz: December 29th

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

“Who Goes Home? or The Grand Divorce VIII” was published today (12/29) in 1944 in The Guardian.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“”Great works’ (of art) and ‘good works’ (of charity) had better also be Good Work. Let choirs sing well or not at all.”

Good Work and Good Works
(Published in Good Work in Christmas, 1959 issue)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

Finish the quote and name the source (4 words):
“There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second is claimed by God ______ ______ ______ ______ . ”
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)