Kindle Price: $15.35

Save $2.60 (14%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Dale Ahlquist
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Complete Thinker: The Marvelous Mind of G.K. Chesterton Kindle Edition

by Dale Ahlquist (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 85 ratings
See all formats and editions
What does it mean to be a ""complete thinker""? It means being able to take on a wide variety of ideas and disciplines and put them all together in a way that they work together. It means thinking like G.K. Chesterton.

The English author G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) was one of the most prolific and well-known writers of his time, and one of the most widely quoted in our own. For newspapers and magazines, he wrote social commentary, literary criticism, and poetry with poignancy and wit. Creator of the beloved detective Father Brown, Chesterton also wrote novels and short stories.

""Thinking"", wrote Chesterton, ""means connecting things."" His ideas are not only connected to each other, they are also connected to us, showing that the thought of Chesterton is timeless. In a world of increasing specialization, Chesterton connects us to the big picture by helping us see how the many and varied elements within our experience fit together. He sheds light on almost every subject and opens doors from one thing to another with dazzling clarity.

Drawing on literally hundreds of references from Chesterton's vast writings, Dale Ahlquist conducts a symphony, with Chesterton playing all the instruments in perfect harmony.

Chesterton's thoughts on almost everything-from east to west, from old to new, from politics to economics, from Shakespeare to Dickens-are woven together to create an illuminating whole.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    265 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Ignatius Press
  5. Publication date
    September 21, 2012
  6. File size
    1168 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

Review

"To write a book about Chesterton is a bold act since GKC's books render most commentary superfluous. But Dale Ahlquist has not only had the courage to make the attempt; he has the wit, the learning, and the grace to make his book worthwhile reading alongside the works of the master himself."
- Robert Royal, Faith & Reason Institute

"Dale Ahlquist is well known for his championing of the thought and writings of the great English writer and apologist G. K. Chesterton. In this book he has distilled years of reading and studying the writings of his hero. It will surely attract many new readers to Chesterton. Ahlquist himself has all the zeal of the convert and he will make many new converts with this trenchant study."
-Ian Ker, Author, G. K. Chesterton: A Biography

"Dale Ahlquist is a delightful student of Chesterton who has learned well from the Master. He combines Chesterton's amazing gift for being funny and profound, showing how everything from pork to pyrotechnics bears witness to the Maker of All in the great symphony of creation and redemption. Pure reading pleasure!"
- Mark P. Shea, Author, The Heart of Catholic Prayer

From the Back Cover

What does it mean to be a "complete thinker"? It means being able to take on a wide variety of ideas and disciplines and put them all together in a way that they work together. It means thinking like G.K. Chesterton.

The English author G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) was one of the most prolific and well-known writers of his time, and one of the most widely quoted in our own. For newspapers and magazines, he wrote social commentary, literary criticism, and poetry with poignancy and wit. Creator of the beloved detective Father Brown, Chesterton also wrote novels and short stories.

"Thinking," wrote Chesterton, "means connecting things." His ideas are not only connected to each other, they are also connected to us, showing that the thought of Chesterton is timeless. In a world of increasing specialization, Chesterton connects us to the big picture by helping us see how the many and varied elements within our experience fit together. He sheds light on almost every subject and opens doors from one thing to another with dazzling clarity.

Drawing on literally hundreds of references from Chesterton's vast writings, Dale Ahlquist conducts a symphony, with Chesterton playing all the instruments in perfect harmony.

Chesterton's thoughts on almost everything--from east to west, from old to new, from politics to economics, from Shakespeare to Dickens--are woven together to create an illuminating whole.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00A0XX1Y4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ignatius Press; First edition (September 21, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 21, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1168 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 265 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 85 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Dale Ahlquist

Dale Ahlquist

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
85 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

PR Stempel
5.0 out of 5 stars A superb book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
This thematic study of some of G.K. Chesterton's writings by Dale Ahlquist is a must read. It highlights many of Chesterton's works by exploring a variety of topics as wide ranging as sin, eugenics (birth control) and economics to cite a few. Those seeking some understanding of many of today's societal and political topics would be well served by this book even though many of the Chesterton quotes date from the early early decades of the Twentieth Century. Chesterton's wisdom is that timeless. Chapter 12 which discusses Chesterton's economics and today's global economy, and the Appendix (the Chesterton versus Clarence Darrow debate) are each easily worth the price of the book.

Spoiler alert: The Chesterton/Darrow debate discussion offers some insight into how and why today's media promotes a Progressive agenda -- and has done since the 1920s.

Buy the book and see for yourself!
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
J. Simonds
5.0 out of 5 stars These are an excellent introduction when beginning what will likely become a lifetime ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2016
Verified Purchase
If you are embarking on reading G.K Chesterton you should consider this book along with Dale Ahlquist companion books 'The Apostle of Common Sense" and "Common Sense 101". These are an excellent introduction when beginning what will likely become a lifetime passion of enjoying the writings of G.K. Chesterton. I had read Orthodoxy (Chesterton) and was impressed but puzzled. As I heard in a lecture by Mr. Ahlquist on your first reading you end up underlining the entire work, you read it again and realize you missed something and also that it appears to be even more profound than your first reading and by your third read you enjoy it even more. The works by Mr. Ahlquist put you into the Chesteron 'fast lane' from the start. Read these then start reading Chesteron. You will not regret a moment.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Scott Henson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2013
Verified Purchase
I absolutely enjoyed reading through The Complete Thinker. I tried charging through it like I do with most books, but I had to slow down. I ended up reading one chapter a night so that I could really chew on it and get as much out of it as possible. The writing style is excellent and it gives you a good peak into the mind of GK Chesterton. I highly recommend any fans read this book immediately. Those that have seen his quotes around the internet are really encouraged to read it as well. It is a great introduction.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Dennis V. Sinclair
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for All Who Care About the Country
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2013
Verified Purchase
Dale Ahlquist's "The Complete Thinker: The marvelous Mind of G. K. Chesterton" contains the weaponis, reason and faith, to combat the secular humanism that is strangling our culture, our approach to life and our values and while tempting us with the false promises that will surely destroy us.
Mr. Ahlquist's labor of love is based on his extensive knowledge of the writings and life of G. K. Chesterton, The Apostle of Common Sense. The book points out where, we, as a people, have gone astray while reminding us of the weapons we have to combat a world filled with secular humanism.
It is easy to read. It is a source of serious thought for meditation.
Mr. Alquist's love and resapect for his subject shine from every page.

Dennis V. Sinclair, medford, Oregon
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
toc
4.0 out of 5 stars Concise thinking on a concise thinker…
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2013
Verified Purchase
I began reading Chesterton in the late 1980's. Always admiring his wit and intellectual power, I never knew how comprehensive his thinking came together. Chesterton was no acolyte; he was a systematic thinker that adjoined intellect, reason, and theology in a coherent whole. Ahlquist's book is opinionated and quite informative. I enjoyed every chapter and word.

There are quite a few Chesterton biographies, but few commentaries on his political and intellectual contributions in such a concise volume. Kudos to Ahlquist for this volume.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Daniel G.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is an excellent read. It flows and in an easy going manner, gives insight into Chesterton's logic.
Highly Recommend
Helpful
 Report
Anne Lassiter
5.0 out of 5 stars Admiring Chesterton
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2012
Verified Purchase
Next to Orthrodoxy, it is the best display of his thinking: his use of paradox and all of his illustrative writing. I still don't understand his (mysterious) darkness that he indured in his youth, but maybe that accounts for his enormous prolific output in his later life. You know they say that Saint Ausgustine was so prodigious a writer that he was the only person extant who had read all of Ausgustine---so with G.K. I still don't know about his THURSDAY story but it is said to be one of his best. Someone tell me about it!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Raymond I. Smithjr
5.0 out of 5 stars the complete thinker is well thought out.
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2013
Verified Purchase
not highly interesting to everyone... but what highly interesting person is? This was a wonderfully condensed read about one of the most productive minds of the 20th + century. Would that we have someone of Chesterton's stature and mind set in this century.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
EDWARD L.
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on May 8, 2018
Verified Purchase
good...
Report
Rainer Laabs
5.0 out of 5 stars Wohl das Beste, was man zum Einstieg über Chesterton lesen kann
Reviewed in Germany on October 25, 2013
Verified Purchase
Der Autor des Buches, Dale Ahlquist, ist nicht "nur" der Vorsitzende der American Chesterton Society, er ist auch ein außergewöhnlich guter Vermittler literarischer, philosophischer und theologischer Zusammenhänge. All das gibt es bei GKC im Übermaß, und Ahlquest gelingt es mit leichter Hand, uns einen gut gangbaren Weg durch das vermeintlich undurchdringliche Dickicht des Chestertonschen Denken zu bahnen. - Unbedingt empfehlenswert!
Report
Harrisok
5.0 out of 5 stars How we need to think
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
A brilliant explanation of how we have lost the capacity to THINK in our modern culture.
Well worth the cost and I would recommend it to everyone.
2 people found this helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
A great introduction to this most funny and inteligent men
2 people found this helpful
 Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report