This book was adapted from a series of radio talks given by Lewis on the BBC during WWII. Lewis amplified and edited these talks to be suitable to a book format and allow for additional information to be provided that could not be given within the time limits of the radio broadcasts. It is therefore quite conversational in tone and compared to his other nonfiction books, a fairly easy read.

Its purpose is to explain the common core of Christian doctrines without getting into the distinctives of different groups. Lewis illustrates the logic of Christian beliefs with simple examples from everyday life as in this portion of a discussion on good and evil:

"When a man is getting better, he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him. When a man is getting worse, he understands his own badness less and less. A moderately bad man knows he is not very good; a thoroughly bad man thinks he is all right. This is common sense really. You understand sleep when you are awake and not while you are sleeping. You can see mistakes in arithmetic when your mind is working properly; while you are making them you cannot see them. You can understand the nature of drunkenness when you are sober, not when you are drunk. Good people know about both good and evil; bad people do not know about either."

It is the sort of book that leaves one thinking "perhaps one more chapter" when it is time to be finished reading and go on to other things. It is no wonder that it has become a classic.

I first read this book many years ago and found very challenging . I have since read more of his works and on my second reading which I read with a fresh heart and eyes, I truly believe this is the finest Christian book I have ever read. I gave a copy to a Christian sister last month. This is a oldie but a goody.

John McLean

I lead a men's book review group at our church. We are about mid-way through C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. We had read so many books where Lewis was quoted that we felt compelled to read this book. Be forewarned, this is not light reading. On the other hand, it is an excellent book for the Christian and those who don't believe as well. After all, Lewis started his journey as an atheist. There is so much in this book that will give you pause to ponder and think about. Although we haven't finished the book, I highly recommend Mere Christianity.

Clive Staples Lewis' Mere Christianity.

My gosh. Talk about an eye-opening read... more than a read actually, a revelation that is so interesting to unfold. Never has theology been so intriguing, so mesmerizing and what surprised me the most was how this work (written nearly 59 years ago) was able to resonate with someone of this generation like me. I found myself nodding my head of, laughing (the guy had wit!), reflecting, studying... this is not the kind of book you read page after page. Sometimes you have to read one paragraph twice before you move on to the next, just to fully grasp- and savour- what C.S wrote.

This is for everyone: those who are interested in theology or not. I believe you'll understand, because Lewis wrote in an understandable manner. (Never mind that at the preface I had to use the dictionary, after every two words..)

I'd like to end with this. I don't really consider this to be Gospel Truth. I agreed with many of the things C.S said, but I'm also questioning some others. In my opinion, this is -or was- the opinions and thoughts of a very intelligent man.

An excellent work, really.

Found it easier to understand when paired with the discussion guide. It is a very detailed book on Christianity and I enjoyed reading it.