Hilaire Belloc called Lepanto Chesterton’s greatest poem and the greatest poem of his generation. But not only have English classes neglected this masterpiece of rhyme and meter, History classes have neglected the story of the pivotal battle upon which the poem is based.This book brings together the poem, the historical background of the famous battle, a riveting account of the battle itself, and a discussion of its historical consequences. The poem is fully annotated, and is supplemented with two interesting essays by Chesterton himself.
Well-known Chesterton scholar, Dale Ahlquist, has gathered together all the insightful commentaries and explanatory notes. Here is the story behind the modern conflict between Christianity and Islam, between Protestant and Catholic Europe, and the origin of the Feast of the Holy Rosary. A fascinating blend of literature, history, religion and romance!
Stuart McCullough –
I read GKC’s Lepanto in an old poetry book and thought to myself I need notes and some background. Then I walked into a Catholic bookshop, two days later, and found your book. What a blessing. Well worth a read, and a must for home schooling.