Twelve Types

Twelve Types Synopsis

Gilbert Keith Chesterton, (29 May 1874 - 14 June 1936) was a poet, novelist, playwright, literary commentator, editor, biographer, journalist, orator and theologian. He was often dubbed as the "e;prince of paradox"e; for his light whimsical style that often addressed serious issues such as politics and religion. The latter was as a member and defender of the Christian faith and the former was shaped by a distrust of concentrated wealth and power. He advocated Distributionism and said that every man should be allowed to own "e;three acres and a cow."e; These political views have spread round the world, crediting Chesterton as the father of the "e;small is beautiful"e; movement. It is also said to have influenced Gandhi in seeking a genuine nationalism for India rather than imitating the British state. "e;Twelve Types"e; are unique portraits of twelve of Europe's most defining figures - Charlotte Bronte, William Morris, Byron, Pope, St. Francis of Assisi, Rostand, Charles II, Stevenson, Thomas Carlyle, Tolstoy, Savonarola, and Sir Walter Scott. Full of brilliant and witty insights "e;written, with all the authority of a human scripture, the eternal and essential truth that until we love a thing in all its ugliness we cannot make it beautiful."e; They are short on biographical substance, but very long on understanding the essence of the writers.