What's Wrong with the World

Name: What's Wrong with the World
Rating: 8.1 (2891 reviews)
Author: G. K. Chesterton
ISBN: 9781609773748

Language: English
Published in: 2014
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 201
ISBN: 9781609773748

Subjects

Original edition details

What's Wrong with the World Originally published in 1910

Original language

English

Original publisher CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Other editions (181)

What's Wrong with the World (1910) Considered to Be One of the Best Books of All Time

2019 • Independently Published

English

What's Wrong with the World (100 Copy Collector's Edition)

2020 • Royal Classics

English

What's Wrong with the World (1910). By: Gilbert Keith Chesterton, Dedicated By: C. F. G. Masterman Charles Frederick Gurney Masterman PC (24 October 1873 - 17 November 1927) Was a Radical Liberal Party Politician, Intellectual and Man of Letters

2017 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

English

What's Wrong with the World (Royal Collector's Edition) (Case Laminate Hardcover with Jacket)

2021 • Engage Books

English

What's Wrong with the World

2021 • Mint Editions

English

8.1 / 10 (2891 ratings)

Reviews summary

Positives

Reviewers consistently praise the book for G.K. Chesterton's exceptional writing style, describing it as witty, clever, brilliant, and engaging. Many highlight his masterful use of rhetorical paradox, which allows him to twist arguments, reframe debates, and offer unique "third-way" perspectives on complex issues. Despite being written over a century ago, the book is frequently noted for its surprising contemporary relevance, with many of Chesterton's critiques of his own era feeling remarkably applicable to modern society. Readers appreciate his ability to identify societal foibles and underlying problems, often with a prophetic quality. The author's approach to commentary, which is critical yet fundamentally optimistic about humankind, is also a significant draw. His insights, particularly on the importance of the individual, the family, and the home, are considered thought-provoking and lead to a deeper appreciation for his work.

Negatives

However, the reviews also point out several drawbacks, most notably the book's dated views on certain social topics, especially regarding women. Chesterton's arguments concerning women's suffrage and their role in the workplace are frequently described as unconvincing, chauvinistic, and based on broad generalizations that don't always hold up. Some readers found these particular sections to be contradictory to his broader thesis and felt he attempted to fit women into a "social strait-jacket." Additionally, a few reviewers noted a degree of repetition or overlap in the essays. While his writing style is generally lauded, some found certain phrases or arguments to be archaic or intellectually challenging, making parts of the book difficult to fully grasp. Disagreements with his specific conclusions on certain historical or theological topics were also mentioned.

Conclusion

Despite its dated aspects and the specific points of contention, the overall consensus is that "What's Wrong with the World" remains a highly valuable and stimulating read. Reviewers characterize Chesterton as a unique thinker, whose blend of conservative and liberal ideas defies easy categorization, making him a "thinker caught out of time." The book is lauded as a "monument of resistance to superficiality" and a rewarding challenge for the mind. It is recommended for readers who appreciate brilliant, paradoxical, and witty prose, and who are interested in social and political commentary that delves into the foundational problems of society. Those willing to critically engage with historical perspectives, even when they present outdated social views, will find Chesterton's broader insights into human nature, the family, and the role of the individual to be profoundly relevant and thought-provoking.

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