Old guys rule, because history repeats. The young think they're streaming it live, but it's a rerun.

@Dylan-cp9ph

2 жыл бұрын

Dope comment

@r.j.macready5541

Жыл бұрын

Very well said.

@joshuaknotts5890

4 ай бұрын

I read a lot of classic books and it is scary how many plotlines we are witnessing.

@7instrumentjosh931

3 ай бұрын

There is nothing new under the sun.

@Maculis19

3 ай бұрын

We think we’re streaming it because we are, only you are watching a rerun

"That Hideous Strength" is a line from an old poem and is referencing the Tower of Babel. Lewis is telling us exactly what the book is about before it even begins. It's generally about people trying to transcend humanity and become gods.

@annchovey2089

Жыл бұрын

It is the story version of “The Abolition of Man.”

@DavidNotSolomon

2 ай бұрын

The WEF transhumanists are an example.

C.S Lewis was truly gifted

This book was more accurate (and entertaining) than both 1984 and Brave New World in my opinion. It's a shame that anything written with a supernatural interpretation of events gets excluded from the mainstream set of "classics". I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trilogy, but That Hideous Strength was the most gripping. Till We Have Faces is another great work of fiction by Lewis. It's very different from his other novels (based on Greek mythology), and is told from the perspective of a tormented woman. C.S. Lewis is one of the few male writers I know who can convince me that I am listening to the inner monologue of a real woman.

@Noplayster13

2 жыл бұрын

I’m happy to see TWHF get some recognition. Arguably the best fiction he wrote (which is saying a lot). I believe he consulted his wife (also a real world class intellect) throughout the writing to make sure he’d captured the female inner monologue correctly.

@Titus7of9

2 жыл бұрын

Great comment Pixel. I learned a fair while ago (but I still need to remind myself occasionally) that the people of God can do everything right, give a 10/10 presentation and performance, and still not be accepted the way they should because of bias on the part of the receiver. It's just part of the slanted rules of the game we all have to play by, at least for now. The fact that Lewis' books aren't better received isn't automatically a reflection against Lewis (obviously). I know from first hand experience that the judges of the "classics" at universities are often deeply secular, and religious classicists frequently don't have the courage to put forward works with supernatural interpretations unfortunately. :( "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil."

@booksboundnoveljourneys1122

2 жыл бұрын

Do you think I could read this book without having read the other books in the series?

@GTechGirl92

2 жыл бұрын

@@booksboundnoveljourneys1122 I think you technically could, but the other books definitely provide a lot of layers that account for some of the supernatural stuff going on. The first two books are both very short and very good, IMO. I couldn't put them down! (If you're talking about That Hideous Strength) If you're talking about TWHF, that's a standalone book!

@mkshffr4936

2 жыл бұрын

@@booksboundnoveljourneys1122 I suggest that you listen to Doug Wilson's summaries of the first two books which will be plenty to get you up to speed. kzread.info/dash/bejne/jIRhmc6cZZWvipM.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/kZl9mtCDlN3IiKg.html

"That Hideous Strength" and "Surprised By Joy" are the Lewis books that I have re-read the most and gotten the most out of.

@donnagolder7893

2 жыл бұрын

And the Problem of Pain!

@donnagolder7893

2 жыл бұрын

The Great Divorce. Till We Have Faces. The Abolition of Man!

@fargomonkey5133

2 жыл бұрын

For me it was the Chronicles of Narnia when I was young, and then mere Christianity and Screwtape letters when I got older. The space trilogy are books I liked a lot as well. My favorite of all though, the one I've read and re read over and over was Screwtape letters. The humor gets me everytime.

@daistoke1314

2 жыл бұрын

I think he's a writer that has a book for every stuation, when my wife died I found his book on grief to be the only book that was written from where I was.

@annchovey2089

Жыл бұрын

“That Hideous Strength” is the story version of “The Abolition of Man” and “The Four Loves” is the philosophical version of “Til We Have Faces” all by Lewis. UK was secularized way ahead of the USA so Lewis wrote for his times but it feels prophetic to us in America. Lewis warned us what was coming because it was already happening in England.

That Hideous Strength is a great title, btw

How thrilling to be able to hear Klavans takes on history ,literature.What a gift .

@LauFiu

2 жыл бұрын

Klavaniture

I love that Klavan is analysing books, shows and films now. Really interesting takes.

First read this trilogy many years ago. That Hideous Strength stood out to me then and the significance of it has only grown with time. I think about it all the time now, and believe there could hardly be a more prophetic work of fiction.

@donnagolder7893

2 жыл бұрын

Additionally, it made me know in an eerie way that evil loves to torture. It made me know that evil exists and that we are the target.

@_Peremalfait

2 жыл бұрын

@@donnagolder7893 Evil knows no pity. The so called QAnon Shaman, someone who clearly has mental health issues, was held without bail in solitary confinement for over 300 days.

C. S. Lewis understood human nature using the Bible. That's why he seems like a prophet when what he has done is present the Bible in different scientific and societal situations.

From a fellow Ulsterman, C. S. Lewis was phenomenal apologist. Blessings ever from Belfast.

I love this book and I push it like I'm a drug dealer. But no one gets it.

@katherinehenry1480

2 жыл бұрын

I've had the honor of annually introducing eighth grade homeschoolers (and some of their parents) to the trilogy. I consider it planting seeds. I hope in time they get it

@user-ks5cg5cd7m

2 жыл бұрын

I love it!

I wonder if Daily Wire would consider putting this trilogy to film, it is an important series that has been forgotten by many and would be a valuable and entertaining work for people to see

@ragnapodewski4694

3 ай бұрын

Don't spoil it by movie! Best movies run in your head.

That opening joke was hilarious. The Abolition of Men is worth reading over and over. I've listened to the trilogy and im not sure any of it stuck. I also listened to the small lectures Larry Arnn gave as a part of his series on Totalitarianism. After this I will pick it back up and give it another go. I do remember listening while I was soldiering pipes under my house in the winter. That sucked so it's understandable why I wasn't really paying attention to the book.

Just got back from the annual C.S. Lewis Foundation conference. You'd be a fascinating guest speaker, if you were so inclined.

@Lazydaisy646

2 жыл бұрын

Although i would be unable to attend i think it would be a marvelous idea

I have yet to read That Hideous Strength but thoroughly enjoyed Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra. Lewis was a treasure of his time. All great writers speak to the past, present and future - sometimes simultaneously because they recognize those eternal values that every generation grapples with.

@Noplayster13

2 жыл бұрын

Also consider Till We Have Faces. It’s a harder book for sure, but it’s really thought provoking and I get something different out of it every time I read it.

c. s. Lewis was the greatest Christian writer of our time, in my opinion.

@timothycarr3482

2 жыл бұрын

Chesterton is excellent too!

@feliciaf8

14 күн бұрын

Tolkien too

When it comes to fiction, I think Till We Have Faces is by far Lewis's best book, in part because it's much less preachy, and therefore more persuasive, than his other stories. I can't recommend it highly enough.

@FalconOfStorms

2 жыл бұрын

That's also the best RED album.

@Noplayster13

2 жыл бұрын

Having a semi villain protagonist does help to avoid that. In fact, she’s kinda preachy *against* the gods.

I think his greatest fiction story was Till We Have Faces. A rather dark story about bitterness, misunderstanding, unhealthy love, ancient brutality, philosophy, redemption, and a thousand other things. It may also be a hundred allegories or none at all. To me, the true classics are books that can be reread a hundred times and you come away with ala different insight each time.

@cmcapps1963

2 жыл бұрын

Amen! Till We Have Faces is sooooo under read! I especially hate how critics who accuse him of not having "strong female characters" NEVER reference "Faces". An amazing book.

@Noplayster13

2 жыл бұрын

@@cmcapps1963 The strong female character accusation is especially strange since roughly half of his fictional protagonists are female. Not to a mention the most dangerous antagonists tend to be female.

"That Hideous Strength" is an excellent title.

Sir David Lindsay: "The shadow of that hyddeous strength [the Tower of Babel] sax myle and more it is of length" I couldn't get through this book at first. Couldn't get into the characters. When I finally did read it, I was blown away. It's obvious that Orwell borrowed themes and even whole scenes from Lewis, and even in the fantasy setting Lewis's book swims in deeper waters.

@knowthycell

2 жыл бұрын

Would this be appropriate for a 14 year old reader?

@AllenBruceRay

2 жыл бұрын

@@knowthycell Well, not really. Parts are pretty violent, particularly the scene in which wild animals are turned loose during a meeting of the powers-that-be of the N.I.C.E. organization and literally tear people apart. They're the bad guys, true enough, but it's still a pretty horrific scene.

I was fortunate enough to experience Max McLean’s brilliant 🌟 performance in The Screwtape Letters here in Seattle. The Paramount Theatre was the perfect venue for this play. I didn’t have much expectation for a one man show (aside from his funny minion)...but was absolutely blown away. For one man to master the sophisticated dialogue alone is impressive...but his humor and intensity...magnificent. If it ran a full week, I would’ve gone each night. There are clips available on YT. If I had one person, dead or alive, to spend a long weekend with...it would be C.S. Lewis...fullstop.

I love C.S. Lewis AND G.K. Chesterton, too. That Hideous Strength was the first book that I read that presented the idea that even Angels have gender....that when encountered by the human protagonists, the humans have an unmistakable perception that some are male and some are female though neither "gender" presents any sexual characteristics though they are all remarkablely beautiful. That concept really impacted me at a fairly young age (mid 20's). And this concept comes to my mind often when "transgender wokeness" is discussed.

Sirs and madams, if you haven't read "Till We Have Faces" by Lewis, PLEASE do yourself a huge favor and check it out. It's an amazing book (a retelling of the Greek myth of Psyche). 10/10, one of my favorites.

@Noplayster13

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree. Klavan’s criticism that God always swoops in and solves all the problems does not apply to *this* book. Maya has to claw and bite for every single answer to every single problem. And many don’t get resolved in a happy way or at all. It’s one of my favorite books of all time and one that you can reread a hundred times and get a different interpretation each time.

@FalconOfStorms

2 жыл бұрын

That was also a great album by RED.

@briankelly5828

2 жыл бұрын

@@Noplayster13 I agree with your observations. I have read it twice and will read it again. It is really profound.

@ragnapodewski4694

3 ай бұрын

Yes, I love this book too, for I loved my younger sister with all my heart, she died young by a chronoc desease, Orual is the first woman created by a man and being realistic.

I love Klavan as a teacher. He's underappreciated. This is a breath of fresh air.

I first read “That Hideous Strength” about 40 years ago, and reread it during the Obama years. I feel like it’s time to read it again, as the dystopian nature of the book is more relevant than ever in light of the last couple of years. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

His Sci fi trilogy is absolutely one of my favorites! What a great read!

I was just rereading the Space Trilogy, and couldn’t get over the contemporary applications of That Hideous Strength.

Mere Christianity. Took me over the line of belief in 1973. With a nudge from God. Best Andrew!

The Ransom trilogy (a more fitting name, in my opinion) is truly a transformative read in every way. It’ll be an annual reading for me.

@AllenBruceRay

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. Calling it "the Space Trilogy" doesn't really get to the heart of things.

@Keverember

2 жыл бұрын

@@AllenBruceRay it really doesn’t paint the right picture

Back in the late 70's I was an ardent follower of Francis Schaeffer... When I heard him say, "You must read That Hideous Strength" - I did. On the whole, I am not a fiction reader - but this book is perhaps the only work of fiction I have (so far) read twice. It has so many hidden dimensions that disclose themselves with each reading - there is that mysterious "kappa element" (cf. the most excellent Michael Ward's Planet Narnia) one experiences if read slowly enough to better absorb the numerous symbolic allusions (filled with "the weight of glory") - climatically found in the final scene at St. Anne's. Merlin (half Christian/ half pagan - and the better for it in Lewis' world view), angels (Eldil), the Arthurian Pendragon - all woven together in a profoundly mystical read. Prophetic? Absolutely!

FYI "That Hideous Strength" audiobook is free on KZread.

Been reading back through the Chronicles of Narnia and loving every page. The fact that over half of the Narnia books are still waiting to be made into good movies is one of the great tragedies of our time. I know modern Hollywood wouldn't touch Lewis's work with a ten foot pole, but I'm still hopeful the series will be properly adapted to the big screen some day.

I read Perelandra - the second book first and was so horrified that I haven't been able to bring myself to read the other two. It wasn't horrible like a horror story would be, it horrible because of the way it tells the truth - if that makes any sense.

@zachlong5427

2 жыл бұрын

Yes.

@ragnapodewski4694

3 ай бұрын

I was terrified too, but you must people make fearing playing with evil powers.

Loved the screw tapes, it’s fun but you learn alot about your self

Science outside of the context of God is simply a means of obtaining power to bring about your will. And when nothing is there to ensure that your will aligns with The Good, it is only a matter of time before this book plays itself out.

I really enjoy listening to you! God bless you, much love and support from Spain 🇪🇸

I knew from the title of the video this was going to be about That Hideous Strength!!!! Awesome book, available on audible, get it get it get it!

Your video was the thing I needed to see at the right time. Keep up the good work!!

Andrew, I don’t know if you’ve read any of the excellent Lewis scholar Michael Ward. In reading his Planet Narnia I was interested to learn that George Orwell reviewed That Hideous Strength for a London newspaper (I believe), just a few years before he wrote his seminal 1984.

Thanks for sharing this. I’ll have to take a look.

I believe he was indeed a prophet.

Klavan is the latest, most electrifying addition to a list of mentors (I'm 67 but better late than never) beginning with Jordan Peterson who have been leading me out of the morass of relativism and back into the light of moral clarity. Grateful.

Andrew, The Abolition of Man!

Great analysis!

Great commentary! I love these ideas.

Yes! Reading this during my winter break!

I might come 'crawling' back to Klavan after some disappointments lately- I LOVED this content!!

Andrew always blows me away. 👍

OMGosh! No! I could talk with you for hours about the Chronicles of Narnia! You are missing it! My brother and I read them more than 20 times! OMGosh, again! Are you anywhere near Southern CA? We should seriously talk!

Historians are prophets because "There's nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

“The moral law can only be bent so far before it snaps back and condemns you.” Yes.

Thanks for the great recommendation. Too bad we have so few new authors in this class. You're one of the greats by the way.

Thank you, I'll buy this book. Always brilliant Mr Klavan

Good for Colton for evangelizing you to "That Hideous Strength"! Amazing book. Walker Percy's "Thanatos Syndrome" reminds me of it in a way. Also have you read "Til We Have Faces"? I always think of the statement in it: "How can we see God face to face until we have faces?"

Definitely one of CS Lewis' best!

Brilliant, Andrew. Thank you for your insight and erudition.

Good stuff

I read "That Hideous Strength" when I was 18 or 19 and will remember it as very thought provoking even to a naive young man!

I read this on Klavan's advice. Epic book. SO MANY PREDICTIONS. The villains were more interesting than the heroes, but watching them go down was shocking and awesome.

what a wonderful 18 minutes! thank you!!

Great review, Andrew. For me, "That Hideous Strength," and "The Great Divorce," are Lewis' best!

1984 was scary how accurate that was.

@topnotchcupoftea

2 жыл бұрын

I think people use 1984 as inspiration to what they want

History tends to repeat itself. What's happening in America has happened in many Empires and civilizations before. It never ends well either.

1984 + Brave New World + That Hideous Strenght + Atlas Shrugged are the Gospels of the 21th Century

3:19 It's SAINT Fauci, Mr. Klavan, LOL!

He was very smart, very perceptive, and he had his eyes wide open

Lewis was brilliant, and his best by far was The Screwtape Letters. Brilliant. A 12 rules for life, written from the opposite position of what evil needs people to co operate in to have any power over people at all it should be on everyone's reading list, irrespective of belief.

Subscribed, liked, and shared on FB!

In the “contest” between Lewis and Tolkien.. Lewis was to produce a Space Travel tale whole Tolkien’s task was Time Travel. While Lewis wrote this Tolkien began writing about a man from Saxon England transported to an Elf Island and told the Story of the Fall of Atlantis….. this later became The Book of Lost Tales.. which basically is the man being told some of the plot of Silmarillion along with Fall of Nümenoreans by elves. All of this came from a reoccurring dream Tolkien would have about a giant wave inundating a island and he wanted to write a story around it. Anyway. Christ is God (Psalm 99). 🙏🏼❤️

"Werewolf Cop" is much worse than "That Hideous Strength"

That Hideous Strength is a GREAT title!!!! ....and great bookmark

I liked Hideous Strength, but Paralandra presents the most interesting questions. Essentially it asks the question that if redeemed human beings could stop the fall from happening again . Great take as always sir.

Yea!!! I told you to read that!!! Not that I'm taking credit but I knew you should read it. PLEASE make it a movie!!!!

Thank you.

Just finished it. Great book! Prophetic!

Awesome video

C.S. Lewis is a treasure.

Thanks, I've now borrowed that book from the local library.

That Hideous Strength is a perfect and beautiful title

2:08 Lewis's fiction as an adult is looking at how the principles are echoed in his other work in The Lion the witch and the wardrobe essentially recreates the famous trilemma argument in the context of examining Lucy's claims about finding a world on the other side of the wardrobe. They can be found in other places as well however, such as the great divorce's point being driven home in the Last Battle, specifically with the dwarves, or Lewis's observation on 3 ways of approaching spirituality, the wizard, the scientist, or the believer being shown twice, in The Magician's Nephew and Prince Caspian. Even the core themes of Perelanda can be found in Digory's quest in the Magician's Nephew.

This is my favorite book, I've read it 4 times

I really do not understand how you can be so dismissive of "Out of the Silent Planet" and "Perelandra".

Gave a thumbs up before even hearing Drew's take. Cool.

Oh dear, one of my fav fantasy novels esp the 3d volume :)

I cannot read or listen to something C.S. Lewis produces that did not hit me on a very fundamental level. He is, along with Tolkien and a few others, a writer who cannot be esteemed highly enough. His Narnia Chronicles may be more sledgehammer than scalpel, but they are without equal for introducing theology to little ears.

Andrew I could not agree with you more. This hideous strength may be the most prophetic book I’ve ever read. The illumination Of corrupt scholarly institutions and the allure that the pride of knowledge brings was very clear to me in this book. CS Lewis also correctly and accurately portrayed men and women in their true rules to each other. As God intended. This book is a book of wisdom and foreshadowing. The end sequence is The inevitability of trying to become like God. This book has made me see things operate late again.

I love this book and reread it every once in awhile.

It’s one of my favorite stories.

We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man

Klavan,you are better than cliff’s notes.

I also did not read that hideous strength because I never got through the first two books of the trilogy. I should have known that Clive would have provided a Jewell somewhere. I have a copy and am starting tonight. Thanks

Lewis was a scholar of medieval and Renaissance literature...his mind was soaked in the middle ages in which God was ,explicitly and implicitly , imbued in its literature...

Love how Andrew pinches and pulls his ear at 8:10. A critique of the Christian errors (Augustine, Luther, Calvin and churches) would be in place at some point.

The description of the divine masculine and the divine feminine in this novel were absolutely astounding to me. As always, Lewis’ words cut straight to the heart and feeling of true spiritualism and make clear the incredible beauty of what it means to be male and female. His words are timeless and this story, though somewhat forgotten, is as prescient as ever. I enjoyed all three novels, but especially That Hideous Strength. Tolkien is mentioned via “Numinor” and “The True West,” which adds to its depth and significance. Owen Barfield is also highly recommended as a prominent Anthroposophist and champion of Lewis’ works.

Perhaps it's time for "That Hideous Strength" to be made into a movie. It would of course be slammed by the left, which would in turn illustrate exactly why the book was prophetic. Pretty sure N.I.C.E. would object to such a move being made.

@samanthadrennan

Жыл бұрын

Slammed by the left? The right are the ones trying to ban and suppress literature. They've even criticized Lewis himself, claiming the Narnia books promote witchcraft. You've got it twisted, friend.

Andrew I could not agree with you more. This hideous strength may be the most prophetic book I’ve ever read. The illumination Of corrupt scholarly institutions and the allure that the pride of knowledge brings was very clear to me in this book. CS Lewis also correctly and accurately portrayed men and women in their true rules to each other. As God intended. This book is a book of wisdom and foreshadowing. The end sequence is The inevitability of trying to become like God. This book It’s truly amazing

I'm am old man. I've read one hell of a lot of books. That hideous strength is important. It is both timeless and timely. Read 1984. Then go deeper by reading That Hideous Strength. Then make damn sure you are on the right side.

So weird, this is the second time I’ve come across a video mentioning this book within a couple of hours even though I’ve never heard of it prior.

Now do Til We Have Faces. I would also like to know why Drew doesn't like the title, "That Hideous Strength." Seems like a great title to me.