Skip to product information
1 of 7

Kittys Tales

Beyond Personality C. S. Lewis First Edition Geoffrey Bles 2nd Print 1944 Vintage Book

Beyond Personality C. S. Lewis First Edition Geoffrey Bles 2nd Print 1944 Vintage Book

Regular price $52.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $52.00 USD
Sale Sold out
* Worldwide Delivery, Gift Wrapping & Free UK Shipping.

In stock

A Scarce First Edition, second printing of "Beyond Personality" by C. S. Lewis published in 1944 the same year as the First Edition was published by Geoffrey Bles. 

This marvellous little book is a standalone part of a series that was issued containing the addresses that Clive Staples Lewis had broadcast on the wireless radio during World War II.

A dark time in history when he felt that having strong faith could help people and these literary works detailing the broadcast talks by the famous children's author of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' explore his feelings around his faith and understanding of Christianity. 

The book contains a foreword by C. S. Lewis dated April 15th 1944 and an explication that:

 "these talks attempt to put into simple modern language the account of God which, to the best of my knowledge, the vast majority of Christian churches have agreed in giving for a great many centuries."

Although blatantly religious not as dry as it sounds, Clive Staples Lewis casts a light hearted and joyous view upon the Christian religion. A view that clearly influenced much of his work as a popular children's author in the 20th century. During the talks he touches on other religions as they were understood in the 1940's era with a deep exploration into the Christian faith most of all what it meant to him personally.

This is a scarce find with the original wrapper and in very good although aged condition with some light tanning to the wrapper and clean fresh contents inside. A simple binding of light yellow covered cloth under the peacock blue dust jacket, consider, the book was printed during the economy measures of the war years and so is suitably sparse. 

This first edition (2nd Print) book is a little snapshot of history from the life of a very important and greatly loved author who made a huge impression on the world of children's literature with his wonderful Narnia books. 

And is worthy of preserving as part of an important collection of C. S. Lewis' greatest books and also as part of a broad theological interest. 

Contemporary Review from the reverse of the dust jacket: 

"Mr. C. S. Lewis has established his position as one of the most acute religious thinkers of our time." The Expository Times.

All the books we sell in our online bookshop ship carefully boxed and gift-wrapped to delight their new owners and buying vintage of course, is a sustainable action. 

NB: Photos show actual book for sale we do not use stock images

  • USED BOOK: Vintage & Sustainable

Condition Notes: VERY GOOD

This vintage C. S. Lewis 1944 first edition of "Beyond Personality" is in very good previously well-cared for condition.

All the pages are clean with no messy graffiti or inscriptions of any kind just the occasional light mark and light freckling to the exterior of the text block.

Yellow cloth binding under the very good dust jacket is in excellent condition with just a few tiny marks.

A previous owner's name inked to the first free endpaper

Jacket is not price clipped. A few small marks and two small closed edge tears. Chipping to the top and bottom of the spine of the jacket. A little bit of wrinkling to the rear of the jacket.

Excellent vintage collectable C. S. Lewis first edition 2nd print from 1944.

Please remember this vintage book has been loved before and is graded taking this into consideration.

*Vibrancy of item's photograph colours may vary due to your device screen or brightness settings.

SIZE: Height 19 cms x Width 12.5 cms.
FORMAT: Hardback
PAGES: 64 pp

Kittys Reader Notes

Kitty's Notes:

Clive Staples Lewis has remained one of the most popular authors of children's books since his classic children's book "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" was first published to universal acclaim in 1950. Apart from reportedly, his friend J. R. R. Tolkien who didn't much like it.

Although subsequently best known for his children's literature he wrote extensively upon his beliefs around his Christian Faith as well as some very interesting Science Fiction novels.

"Beyond Personality" contains the following chapters:
I. Making and Begetting
II. The Three-Personal God
III. TIme and Beyond Time
IV. Good Infection
V. The Obstinate Tin Soldiers
VI. Two Notes
VII. Let's Pretend
VIII. Is Christianity Hard or Easy
IX. Nice People or New Mem
XI. The New Men

As it was broadcast on the wireless originally the contents of the book are in a first person conversational style.

A short read but worthy.


Book Excerpt from "Beyond Personality" by C. S. Lewis:

"It is a very silly idea that in reading a book you must never 'skip. All sensible people skip freely when they come to a chapter that they find is going to be no good to them. In this chapter I am going to talk about something which may be helpful to some readers, but which may seem to others merely an unnecessary complication. If you are one of the second sort of readers, then I advise you not to bother about this chapter at all but to turn on to the next.

In the last talk I had to touch on the subject of prayer, and while that is still fresh in your mind and my own, I'd like to deal with a difficulty that some people find about the whole idea of prayer. A man put it to me by saying 'I believe in God all right, but what I can't swallow is the idea of Him attending to several million human beings who are addressing Him at the same moment!'...

...We tend to assume that the whole universe and God Himself, are always moving on from past to future just as we do. But many learned men don't agree with that. It was the Theologians who first started the idea that some things are not in time at alll: later the Philosophers took it over: and now some of the scientists are doing the same...."

ILLUSTRATED: No

BOOK HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Hardback
  • Collectable
  • First Edition
  • Vintage Book

BOOK ERA:

  • 1940's Vintage Books

This vintage book has been specially selected by Kitty for good quality and its individual appeal.

Author Bio & Publication

Clive Staples Lewis ( Browse more books by C. S. Lewis in this dedicated author page

The Chronicles of Narnia series were all originally illustrated by artist Pauline Baynes.

C.S. Lewis the author of the best loved 'Narnia Books wrote 'Beyond Personality' one of his wireless addresses during the war years.
Publisher: Geoffrey Bles
Date: 1944
Edition: First Edition, Second Print.
Binding: Hardback
Dust Jacket: Yes

Shipping & Returns

Shipping is Free for all book purchases delivered in the UK.

Free Giftwrapping all items ship with our standard complementary gift wrap.

International Shipping

Tracked and Fully Insured.

  • Rates are calculated at checkout based on weight and location.
  • Checkout will calculate combined shipping rates for multiple purchases added to the cart together.
  • All the vintage history and decorative books we have for sale, ship from our online UK book shop.
  • Any queries please contact us

UK Returns Accepted within 30 days from date of delivery. Customer pays return postage.

See our Return Policy and Guarantee or our FAQ page

  • Genre: Non-Fiction

SKU:KT-Bey-233FE612

View full details
  • Kittys Tales delivery. Cute cat on a bicycle with basket of flowers and binoculars waving.

    Free Shipping in the UK

    We offer free shipping in the UK and ship internationally at cost. All our items are packed with care for their journey to you.

  • "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." C.S. Lewis. Kittys Tales Complementary gift wrap label with pictures of wrapped gifts.

    Complimentary Gift Wrap

    We offer a free gift wrapping service with all our items. Please enter any special requests in the cart note or contact us.

  • Kittys Tales returns and guarantee. Line drawing of fox carrying a book in its mouth.

    Full Guarantee

    At Kittys Tales we want you to be thrilled with your purchases. All our items come with a full guarantee and we accept returns within 30 days.

    Our Guarantee 
  • Kittys tales offer friendly service. Young girl dancing with cat in a jolly manner.

    Friendly and Approachable Service

    We are a small and friendly independent bookshop who pride ourselves on the personal touch. If you have any queries please contact us.

    Contact Us