G K Chesterton

The Ball and the Cross G K Chesterton

The Ball and the Cross is a novel full of debates. There is the opening debate between a professor and a monk. The professor's name is Lucifer, the monk's name is Michael. Some have suggested that there may be something symbolic in their names. Then there is the debate between McIan and Turnbull, who have challenged each other to a physical duel, but keep getting interrupted before they can carry it out. In the meantime they carry on a duel of ideas. There are other minor debates with other characters who are too important to be called minor, such as Pierre Durand, who represents the needed tonic of "an ordinary citizen with ordinary views."If you want adventure, there is nothing more exciting than the accounts of battles in the war of ideas. Since these are the battles most worth fighting, this a book most worth reading.