On C.S. Lewis’ Shorter Writings: Part 2 – How Can We Know Which Essays and Sermons to Read?

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In Part 1 of my survey results, I explained my rationale for conducting this survey. Simply stated: I hope to increase interest in the shorter writings of C.S. Lewis–the essays and sermons, in particular. Here in Part 2, I provide an overview of the survey process, including: my basic research premise and the essay selection process. Toward the end I will identify the C.S. Lewis experts who so graciously supported me in this effort.

Survey Premise

I might have launched a massive survey open to Lewis aficionados everywhere. To be sure, there are hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of C.S. Lewis readers around the world, and their opinions really do matter. But I chose not to do that. Such “global” data might be valid statistically, but I do not believe the information would be especially useful. Rather than poll Lewisiana, I thought it wiser (and more efficient) to poll only those recognized “exemplars” whose opinion on the matter I consider to be most well-informed. For the purposes of this survey, I am keenly interested to know what Charlie Starr and William O’Flaherty think . . . or what Max McLean and Michael Ward think. . . or what ANY of these 30 Lewis experts think . . . than to be buried in data from amorphous demographic groups.

And now I know what these exemplars think. So, too, soon, will you.

Essay Selection Process

What was my methodology for identifying and prioritizing specific writings? The essay “nomination” process was straightforward: I asked the experts for their ten favorite shorter writings of C.S. Lewis. A total of 72 individual pieces made the list.

No doubt some readers will wonder: “Why not ‘Yada, yada’? I love that!” (I probably love that, too.) But 72 nominations mean approximately one in three of Lewis’ shorter works were identified by at least one of these experts. That may not seem very discriminating, but the 72 works are organized into five tiers.

If it is a “Top Three” that you want, or a “Top Ten”, or a “Top Twenty-Five”, or even a “Top Fifty,” you will have it.

There was a need to limit the playing field. To that end, I was looking for individual shorter writings, not books. And of those shorter writings, only essays, sermons and book reviews were considered. Lewis’ poems, short stories and letters are wonderful, but they were deemed to be outside the scope of this inquiry.

The process was simple, and for good reason. How so? Because, when asked, many serious readers of C.S. Lewis’ works are inclined to say: “My favorite Lewis book is the one I read most recently”. I assumed the same would be true with Lewis’ shorter writings. Consequently, I did not require anyone to specifically rank their favorites from #1 to #10. And yet, of the 30 responses, 22 people provided sufficient detail to rank their “top three.”

Based upon this data, one writing was far and away the #1 favorite. Coupled with two other “leaders in the clubhouse”, we have a rock solid “Top Three”.

My method may have been a tad “squishy,” but this survey was never intended to be statistically valid. It was designed to be useful. In short, I simply counted the number of individuals who “voted for” each of 72 shorter writings that were on at least one person’s list. My own list of Top Ten was sent out as part of the inquiry, if only to help shape the boundaries. I also included my own response in the compilation.

Survey Participants

My hope was to secure input from as many as 20 world-renowned CSL experts. To that end, I sent out about 40 invitations and, much to my surprise, 31 people responded. Any retired consultant (me) knows that is an exceptional return rate. With two respondents respectfully declining, and with the addition of my own list of favorites, there are a total of 30 responses. I am grateful for the support.

So, who are the participants? Of the 30 respondents, 23 are from the academy (13 are from the English Department, while 10 teach in other disciplines, such as philosophy, evangelism, communications and history). The remaining 7 respondents work in other professions. Nearly all are authors who have published one of more books about C.S. Lewis. They really do “know their stuff.”

Respondents include:

By any measure, this is an esteemed group of Lewis “exemplars” (a word from my days in management consulting). I am ecstatic with the response, and excited by the results. To be candid, there was only one Lewis guru whose input I desperately sought but did not secure.

The survey results will be forthcoming in two posts to follow. For today, I will share this one finding with you: the single most revered shorter work by C.S. Lewis (and by a long shot) is his great sermon “The Weight of Glory.”

There were surprises among the findings. That is not one of them.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Next up: Part 3 – Lewis’ Most Popular Shorter Writings

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James Motter

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