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Widely known for his poetry, radio broadcasts and television documentary films, John Betjeman was also a prolific writer of prose. Through the power of his pen, he publicly expressed his personal Christian beliefs as well as his doubts, made a case for the interconnectedness of religion and the arts, discussed the dependence of English society on its established Church, instructed his readers about the life and history of parishes, and lamented the loss of churches. He is arguably the most important voice of faith and culture in the twentieth century. This collection contains the best of Betjeman's prose of a religious nature. There are miscellaneous essays (from magazines and newspapers), regular columns (mostly from The Spectator and The Telegraph), contributions to others' books and extracts from his own. The volume also features book reviews, sermons, letters, radio broadcasts and some television documentary scripts. The vast majority of these pieces have not been reprinted or anthologized since their original publication, and as a result, Betjeman on Faith will refresh and inform as much as it delights.
About the author
Kevin J Gardner is Associate Professor of English at Baylor University. He is the author of Betjeman and the Anglican Imagination (SPCK, 2010), and editor of Faith and Doubt of John Betjeman: An Anthology of his Religious Verse (Continuum, 2005). In addition to his work on Betjeman, he has published on a wide variety of literary figures over the years, and has a particular interest in twentieth-century writers who address issues of faith and religion.Kevin J Gardner is Associate Professor of English at Baylor University. He is the author of Betjeman and the Anglican Imagination (SPCK, 2010), and editor of Faith and Doubt of John Betjeman: An Anthology of his Religious Verse (Continuum, 2005). In addition to his work on Betjeman, he has published on a wide variety of literary figures over the years, and has a particular interest in twentieth-century writers who address issues of faith and religion.
Summary
John Betjeman is arguably the most important voice of faith and culture in the twentieth century. This collection contains the best of Betjeman's essays, journalism, and other prose of a religious nature. The vast majority of these pieces have never been reprinted or anthologized.
