Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity: A Biography
    The Passover Haggadah: A Biography
    Audiobook series2 titles

    Lives of the Great Religious Books Series

    Written by Vanessa L. Ochs and George M. Marsden

    Narrated by Robert Ian MacKenzie and Suzanne Toren

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this series

    Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis's eloquent and winsome defense of the Christian faith, originated as a series of BBC radio talks broadcast during the dark days of World War Two. Here is the story of the extraordinary life and afterlife of this influential and much-beloved book. George Marsden describes how Lewis gradually went from being an atheist to a committed Anglican--famously converting to Christianity in 1931 after conversing into the night with his friends J. R. R. Tolkien and Hugh Dyson--and how Lewis delivered his wartime talks to a traumatized British nation in the midst of an all-out war for survival. Marsden recounts how versions of those talks were collected together in 1952 under the title Mere Christianity, and how the book went on to become one of the most widely read presentations of essential Christianity ever published, particularly among American evangelicals. He examines its role in the conversion experiences of such figures as Charles Colson, who read the book while facing arrest for his role in the Watergate scandal. Marsden explores its relationship with Lewis's Narnia books and other writings, and explains why Lewis's plainspoken case for Christianity continues to have its critics and ardent admirers to this day. With uncommon clarity and grace, Marsden provides invaluable new insights into this modern spiritual classic.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateJan 1, 2015
    C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity: A Biography
    The Passover Haggadah: A Biography

    Titles in the series (2)

    • 51

      The Passover Haggadah: A Biography
      The Passover Haggadah: A Biography

      The Passover Haggadah: A Biography

      Vanessa L. Ochs
      5/5
      5/5

      The life and times of a treasured book read by generations of Jewish families at the seder table Every year at Passover, Jews around the world gather for the seder, a festive meal where family and friends come together to sing, pray, and enjoy traditional food while retelling the biblical story of the Exodus. The Passover Haggadah provides the script for the meal and is a religious text unlike any other. It is the only sacred book available in so many varieties—from the Maxwell House edition of the 1930s to the countercultural Freedom Seder—and it is the rare liturgical work that allows people with limited knowledge to conduct a complex religious service. The Haggadah is also the only religious book given away for free at grocery stores as a promotion. Vanessa Ochs tells the story of this beloved book, from its emergence in antiquity as an oral practice to its vibrant proliferation today. Ochs provides a lively and incisive account of how the foundational Jewish narrative of liberation is remembered in the Haggadah. She discusses the book’s origins in biblical and rabbinical literature, its flourishing in illuminated manuscripts in the medieval period, and its mass production with the advent of the printing press. She looks at Haggadot created on the kibbutz, those reflecting the Holocaust, feminist and LGBTQ-themed Haggadot, and even one featuring a popular television show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Ochs shows how this enduring work of liturgy that once served to transmit Jewish identity in Jewish settings continues to be reinterpreted and reimagined to share the message of freedom for all.

      The life and times of a treasured book read by generations of Jewish families at the seder table Every year at Passover, Jews around the world gather for the seder, a festive meal where family and friends come together to sing, pray, and enjoy traditional food while retelling the biblical story of the Exodus. The Passover Haggadah provides the script for the meal and is a religious text unlike any other. It is the only sacred book available in so many varieties—from the Maxwell House edition of the 1930s to the countercultural Freedom Seder—and it is the rare liturgical work that allows people with limited knowledge to conduct a complex religious service. The Haggadah is also the only religious book given away for free at grocery stores as a promotion. Vanessa Ochs tells the story of this beloved book, from its emergence in antiquity as an oral practice to its vibrant proliferation today. Ochs provides a lively and incisive account of how the foundational Jewish narrative of liberation is remembered in the Haggadah. She discusses the book’s origins in biblical and rabbinical literature, its flourishing in illuminated manuscripts in the medieval period, and its mass production with the advent of the printing press. She looks at Haggadot created on the kibbutz, those reflecting the Holocaust, feminist and LGBTQ-themed Haggadot, and even one featuring a popular television show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Ochs shows how this enduring work of liturgy that once served to transmit Jewish identity in Jewish settings continues to be reinterpreted and reimagined to share the message of freedom for all.

    • C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity: A Biography
      C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity: A Biography

      C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity: A Biography

      George M. Marsden
      4/5 - 16 ratings
      4/5 - 16 ratings

      Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis's eloquent and winsome defense of the Christian faith, originated as a series of BBC radio talks broadcast during the dark days of World War Two. Here is the story of the extraordinary life and afterlife of this influential and much-beloved book. George Marsden describes how Lewis gradually went from being an atheist to a committed Anglican--famously converting to Christianity in 1931 after conversing into the night with his friends J. R. R. Tolkien and Hugh Dyson--and how Lewis delivered his wartime talks to a traumatized British nation in the midst of an all-out war for survival. Marsden recounts how versions of those talks were collected together in 1952 under the title Mere Christianity, and how the book went on to become one of the most widely read presentations of essential Christianity ever published, particularly among American evangelicals. He examines its role in the conversion experiences of such figures as Charles Colson, who read the book while facing arrest for his role in the Watergate scandal. Marsden explores its relationship with Lewis's Narnia books and other writings, and explains why Lewis's plainspoken case for Christianity continues to have its critics and ardent admirers to this day. With uncommon clarity and grace, Marsden provides invaluable new insights into this modern spiritual classic.

      Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis's eloquent and winsome defense of the Christian faith, originated as a series of BBC radio talks broadcast during the dark days of World War Two. Here is the story of the extraordinary life and afterlife of this influential and much-beloved book. George Marsden describes how Lewis gradually went from being an atheist to a committed Anglican--famously converting to Christianity in 1931 after conversing into the night with his friends J. R. R. Tolkien and Hugh Dyson--and how Lewis delivered his wartime talks to a traumatized British nation in the midst of an all-out war for survival. Marsden recounts how versions of those talks were collected together in 1952 under the title Mere Christianity, and how the book went on to become one of the most widely read presentations of essential Christianity ever published, particularly among American evangelicals. He examines its role in the conversion experiences of such figures as Charles Colson, who read the book while facing arrest for his role in the Watergate scandal. Marsden explores its relationship with Lewis's Narnia books and other writings, and explains why Lewis's plainspoken case for Christianity continues to have its critics and ardent admirers to this day. With uncommon clarity and grace, Marsden provides invaluable new insights into this modern spiritual classic.

    Author

    Vanessa L. Ochs

    Vanessa L. Ochs is the Ida and Nathan Kolodiz Director of Jewish Studies and associate professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia. A recipient of a fellowship in creative writing from the National Endowment of the Arts, she is author of several books, coauthor of The Jewish Dream Book: The Key to Opening the Inner Meaning of Your Dreams, and co-editor, with Rabbi Irwin Kula, of The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices: CLAL's Guide to Everyday & Holiday Rituals & Blessings (both Jewish Lights). Vanessa L. Ochs is available to speak on the following topics: Jewish Ritual Innovation Haggadah Jewish Feminism What Makes a Jewish Home Jewish Raising Kids with Jewish Values

    Related to Lives of the Great Religious Books

    Related audiobooks

    Judaism For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      In Search Of Genius

      Jun 10, 2021

      Burning Man: The Ascent of DH Lawrence by Frances Wilson Bloomsbury, 512 pages, £25 DH Lawrence has proven to be an endlessly fascinating subject for biographers. There is his working-class upbringing as the son of a collier; the scholarships he won

      1 min read

    • Article

      Different Means To An End

      Nov 17, 2020

      Different Means To An End
      1 min read

    • Article

      Lincoln Brought Strength Of Character – And Backwoods Wit – To Governing

      Oct 29, 2020

      The 16th president faced daunting challenges during the Civil War. Two new biographies demonstrate that he was equal to the task.

      3 min read

    • Article

      Lincoln (continued)

      Apr 6, 2021

      Lincoln (continued)
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Sage of Narnia

      Nov 15, 2023

      The Sage of Narnia
      3 min read

    • Article

      On Solzhenitsyn’s shoulders

      Oct 28, 2021

      SPEAKING AT THE LONDON GUILDHALL upon receipt of the Templeton Prize in 1983, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn dropped a heavy meme on the history of the twentieth century. When he was still a child, he said, he had heard older people saying that all the disas

      8 min read

    • Article

      Finding the Words

      Jan 1, 2022

      Finding the Words
      3 min read

    • Article

      Hitler’s Girl

      Oct 6, 2022

      Hitler’s Girl
      1 min read

    • Article

      Dan Jones Plunges Into The Clash Of Religions In ‘Crusaders’

      Mar 24, 2020

      The popular historian examines the violence and fanaticism, as well as the devotion and conviction, at the heart of the holy wars.

      3 min read

    • Article

      Holiday Reading 2022

      Dec 22, 2022

      EACH year during the holiday season, I publish a list of what I consider to be the best books about boxing. That list, updated to accommodate recently published titles, follows. Taken together, the books offer a compelling look at the sweet science f

      9 min read

    • Article

      Divided We Stand

      Dec 4, 2018

      Divided We Stand
      13 min read

    • Article

      Letters

      Apr 13, 2023

      Letters
      4 min read

    • Article

      Tuesday New Release Day: Starring Hong, Cote, Harris, McCann, and More

      Feb 25, 2020

      This week, we're looking at new books from Cathy Park Hong, Teddy Wayne, and Colum McCann—just to name a few. The post Tuesday New Release Day: Starring Hong, Cote, Harris, McCann, and More appeared first on The Millions.

      5 min read

    • Article

      Churchill And The Churches

      Feb 12, 2021

      Churchill And The Churches
      11 min read

    • Article

      International Books

      Jan 13, 2020

      Imagining the world in the first century AD (not yet called that), it’s difficult to envision Christianity (not yet called that) when it was considered a “blasphemous cult”. It’s 35AD in Jerusalem and Saul, a Jew, is hunting down Christians for execu

      5 min read

    • Article

      Necrolog

      Jun 16, 2022

      John Nicholson was the only child of Captain W Ivan Nicholson and Eleanor (Nella) Zollner, daughter of the Danish Consul. In 1946, when John was six, the family moved to Flying Rat Cottage in Great Dunmow, Essex, where they kept poultry, plus a goat

      6 min read

    • Article

      Table Talk

      Jun 25, 2019

      Table Talk
      9 min read

    • Article

      Crusaders

      Oct 10, 2019

      Crusaders
      2 min read

    • Article

      A Congregation Of Voices

      May 12, 2022

      The formal history of the Church of England begins with the Act of Supremacy of 1534, which declared King Henry VIII to be “the only Supreme Head in earth of the Church of England called Anglicana Ecclesia”. Yet, as Jeremy Morris demonstrates in this

      2 min read

    • Article

      The Thundering Scot

      Aug 19, 2022

      A Scottish reformer whose pervasive influence is still felt, there is no doubting John Knox was the dominant figure in the Church of Scotland’s establishment, but little is known of his early life. Born at or near Haddington in c.1513/14, he was most

      4 min read

    • Article

      The Propagandists

      Aug 7, 2018

      The Propagandists
      8 min read

    • Article

      True Believer

      Mar 26, 2019

      True Believer
      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Lives of the Great Religious Books

    4.5/5

    3 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words