Essays of a Catholic

Absolutely brilliant. Belloc's essays are just as timely today as when first published in 1931. Every selection contains challenging ideas and is exceedingly well reasoned. I was happy to find a wit and humor in his style that hadn't surfaced in other books of his I've read. A couple highlights:He begins with a look at how the West is plummeting into paganism: not the enlightened paganism from which Christianity sprung, but an evil paganism determined to undo Christianity. Since the Reformation, our fragmented faith has left us nearly defenseless against the onslaught of modern self-indulgence and fatalism. The grim process, which Belloc detected early on, has only gained momentum. It is disheartening to note that he holds out little hope for a reversal. One would think this assessment would discourage him, but such is not the case. His steadfast faith fortifies him against the vagaries of human affairs; secure in the knowledge that Christ's Church will prevail even against the gates of Hell, he writes with humor, confidence, and a reassuring calmness. This, I think, is why Belloc can inspire as well as inform.The provocatively titled "Science as the Enemy of Truth" explores the evils of modern science; though his argument is far less controversial than the title would suggest, it offers real food for thought. Belloc says science in the abstract is good, but our modern scientific community applies scientific principles where they don't belong and does so irrationally. He argues that scientific innovation is good only when it serves the needs of the human soul, but modern science views progress as a good thing regardless of its effect on the soul. In Belloc's time the questionable moral contribution of science manifested itself in such things as eugenics, evolution, and radio. Today we face the same questions with regard to cloning, the Internet, weapons of mass destruction, etc. Belloc's answers are emphatic and fresh.

I had owned this wonderful book for quite some time before getting around to reading it. Perhaps this was Providential. For it seems to me that truly appreciating the awesome wisdom contained herein requires a better appreciation of Catholic truth than was previously mine. In any case, I have now read this terrific book, and am greatly enriched by the experience.The book contains a series of essays by the amazing Catholic historian, poet, novelist, economist, member of Parliament, soldier, and essayist. It may be that he saves the best, and most important, for last. This last essay, "The Two Cultures of the West" was written in that important and little understood period between the two World Wars. Belloc then averred that the culture of Protestant Europe has been rent asunder by the enmity of its two leading polities, Protestant Prussia and violently anti-Catholic England, in the Great War. But he cautioned that Catholic Europe was also under threat by the insidious power of Masonry throughout Spain, France, Italy, Austria, and the remnant of Catholic Europe. Belloc understood and recorded quite clearly that the demise of Catholic Europe would lead to the path of the destruction of all that was once great in Western Civilization. As the past century has clearly shown, it did; and it has.This is a truly great book. Read it. And be richly blessed and well informed in the process.

Belloc is another of our great treasures as a writer. I have read other books he has authored and his intellect results in well written books. While this book is from 1931, what it presents about Catholicism is just as prevalent today as then. In fact when you read through his books, you can time repeating it self over and over. The human species just can not learn from past mistakes. I believe if you are willing to this book which some might call heavy reading you will be glad you did. I think as a catholic this is a book that can help you better understand not only what catholic's experience through time but Christianity as well. You don't need to be catholic to get something from this book.

Belloc is a true genius! I am so amazed of at how accurate he is at predicting the future. Europe and America Christians could gain a lot from rhis book.

Haven't read it yet but I've read his writings before and I trust him.

I had been introduced to Belloc's writings through Joseph Pearce and the folks at Chesterton Society and their monthly "Tuesdays with the Troubadours". Belloc and Chesterton or "Chesloc", (as I usually call the duo) were two of the greatest English apologists and were close friends in real life. With these two towering giants in the vanguard the modernists will definitely soil their diapers. This was the first book of Belloc that I read and I must say that the Church needs people like Belloc today. These are some of the finest essays that I ever read. A great collection of apologetics, history, art, and culture. I am off to other Belloc classics now -- Path to Rome, Europe and the Faith, Four men : A Farrago.

Belloc: More than worth an attentive read. If you've come to the end of the Chesterton productions (an implausible state, I admit), turn to Belloc. Or, if Chesterton seems too bouyant and stagey, Belloc's gruff, bluff, humour can be an important step for any non-Catholic, would-be-Catholic, I-am-Catholic-but/ my-family-was-Catholic-but, or just plain old Catholic-but (even for those who hate Catholicism and the Catholic Church will find a humanity they did not expect or believe to exist among Catholics, pulling few if any punches - and not seeking to run from the punches laid in him).

These essays are loved by clear-thinking persons. They can be kept and re-read frequently.