"This attractive five-volume C.S. Lewis biographical library brings together a particularly substantial collection of works examining the life, personality, faith, friendships and literary achievement of one of the twentieth century's most influential authors. Ranging from intimate biography to detailed literary reference and Lewis's own correspondence, the collection provides an unusually broad portrait of the man behind The Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity and the celebrated circle of writers known as the Inklings.
The biographical core comprises George Sayer's Jack: C.S. Lewis and His Times (Macmillan, London, 1988 First Edition), written by Lewis's former pupil and long-time friend; Alister McGrath's C.S. Lewis: A Life - Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet (Hodder & Stoughton, 2013 First Edition); and Roger Lancelyn Green & Walter Hooper's C.S. Lewis: A Biography, here in its fully revised and expanded 2002 edition. Together these approach Lewis from markedly different perspectives, tracing his Belfast childhood, experiences during the First World War, Oxford academic career, friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien and the Inklings, conversion to Christianity, extraordinary literary success, marriage to Joy Davidman and final years.
Complementing the biographies is Yours, Jack: Spiritual Direction from C.S. Lewis, edited by Paul F. Ford and published by HarperCollins USA in 2008 First Edition. Drawing upon Lewis's enormous surviving correspondence, it presents selections from the thousands of letters through which he offered thoughtful advice on faith, life and personal difficulties. Walter Hooper's substantial C.S. Lewis: A Companion & Guide (HarperCollins, 2005) completes the collection, providing an extensive reference to Lewis's life and writings, including chronology, biographical material, discussion of individual works and characters, and bibliographical information.
Together these five substantial hardcover volumes form an excellent miniature C.S. Lewis reference library, particularly appealing to readers and collectors interested in Lewis, Tolkien, the Inklings, twentieth-century literature and Christian thought. Importantly, all five retain their original unclipped dustjackets, which have additionally been fitted with removable clear protective sleeves. An impressive and highly useful collection offering biography, scholarship, correspondence and reference material in one cohesive group."
