America Discovers C. S. Lewis

The continuing interest in the works of C. S. Lewis, long after his death in 1963, is a testament to the influence his writings have had on the English-speaking world, not to mention the many translations of his works into other languages. His own home nation of Great Britain was actually slower in appreciating his offerings than the United States. Lewis's books made a major impact on the American reading public, starting with the publication of the American version of The Screwtape Letters in 1943.

Lewis has not only influenced the lives of Americans we may consider prominent, but also the multitude of individuals who have come across his works and have been deeply affected spiritually by what they read.

The goal of this study is to document, as much as possible, the impact of Lewis on Americans from his lifetime until the present day. It also seeks to understand just why Lewis ""caught on"" in America to such a degree and why he remains so popular.


""Lewis was not an authority on theology, nor a clergyman, and the British were prejudiced against his writings on theology. But Americans knew nothing of this, and liked his books because they explained profound theological truths in language almost everyone could understand. I can honestly say I understand Lewis so much better having read this book.""
--Walter Hooper, Literary Adviser to the Estate of C.S. Lewis; Editor of The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis (2000-2006)

""Snyder has made this a very good season for deeper understanding of the impact of C. S. Lewis. America Discovers C. S. Lewis joins George Marsden's recently published 'biography' of the Mere Christianity writer to explore and explain why Lewis has meant so much to so many American readers. Snyder's use of Lewis' correspondence with Americans is a special highlight in this helpful study."" 
--Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus, University of Notre Dame

""This is an illuminating, thoughtful account of the many strands that connected Lewis to America during his lifetime and continue to do so today. Snyder's writing is crisp, his research extensive, and his focus strong and clear."" 
--Diana Pavlac Glyer, Professor of English; Author of The Company They Keep and Bandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings 

""Snyder provides his readers with a carefully crafted and historically engaging roadmap to the various ways in which the life and writings of C. S. Lewis influenced American Christianity. Snyder's account of this dynamic, yet unlikely story of influence, is, itself, reflective of Lewis's remarkable impact on American Christianity and serves as a significant contribution to the continuing assessment of and appreciation for the contribution of Lewis.""
-- Scott B. Key, Professor of Philosophy, California Baptist University; Director of the Academic Roundtable, C. S. Lewis Foundation


K. Alan Snyder is Professor of History at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Dr. Snyder has authored four other books and also maintains a daily online commentary called Pondering Principles: Reflections on God, Man, and Life, found at ponderingprinciples.com.