Charles Williams is often mentioned when the Inklings of Oxford are discussed. The Inklings were a group of Christian orientated writers who met regularly to read their works in progress and enjoy each others company. The better known members were C. S. Lewis and J. R.R. Tolkein. Occascional visitors to the group were T. S. Elliot and Dorothy Sayers. Williams unlike most of the Inklings was not an academic. He was an editor at the Oxford University Press. He joined the group in the early 1940s when the Oxford Press was temporarily moved out of London to avoid the bombing of the Battle of Britain. Critics of his work have pointed out his sometimes obscure references and at times uninviting style. This I found to true. Seldom have a read anything as hard to follow as these essays by Charles Williams. I persevered to the end of the book because I wanted to get a sense of his writing and thinking. I studied Theology with the Jesuits and I think I know how to follow a precisely argued premise but Williams makes even one trained in Theology wonder what he is trying to say. His poetry and fiction have recieved higher praise and his science fiction series long out of print is said to rivals Lewis's novels. As to Charles Williams essays I have read enough. ( )

A good introduction to the writing of Charles Williams. He'll blow your mind!