Heretics

British writer GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON (1874-1936) expounded prolifically about his wide-ranging philosophies-he is impossible to categorize as "liberal" or "conservative," for instance-across a wide variety of avenues: he was a literary critic, historian, playwright, novelist, columnist, and poet. His witty, humorous style earned him the title of the "prince of paradox," and his works-80 books and nearly 4,000 essays-remain among the most beloved in the English language First published in 1904, this allegorical fantasy is, perhaps, Chesterton's most curious book, a futuristic satire on public apathy, the corruption of the ruling class, and the collapse of local tradition.