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Abstract
[...]a strong background in western philosophy will help the more specialized reader to follow the thread of thought that begins with the question of God's existence, ranges over forms of ontological and epistemological materialism and idealism, and then leads to questions of free will, ethical responsibility, and aesthetics. The writings themselves display the intellectual gifts, education, and high spirits of their two young authors as they argue philosophical points that range across religion, psychology, and philosophy. Thorson provides a rigorous but humanizing account of the story, personalities, and ideas involved-humanizing in the sense that Thorson's presentation of the material in the form of a very good story connects us to Barfield and Lewis as young men. [...]the author admits that his presentation weighs in Lewis's favor because he believes Lewis is right and because he is more interested in him than in Barfield. [...]Barfield fans may find that the tone of the book suggests that Lewis's ideas are the ones that are correct and to be believed. Lewis fans will find that the book contributes to their understanding of Lewis as an intellectual, fleshes out his references to the "Great War," and shows the intellectual narrative of the first stage...