George MacDonald

A Biography of Scotland's Beloved Storyteller

By: Michael R Phillips

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Scotland's beloved storyteller, George MacDonald, 19th-century Scottish novelist and poet, was reintroduced to 20th century Christians by C. S. Lewis, whose reading of MacDonald's Phantastes triggered his own spiritual awakening and conversion. Other renowned writers have voiced similar acknowledgements. G. K. Chesterton said of MacDonald, "If we test the matter of originality of attitude, George MacDonald was one of the three or four greatest men of the 19th century." W. H. Auden added, "In his power...to project his inner life into images...which are valid for all, he is one of the most remarkable writers of the 19th century."

Despite acclaim by his peers, historians, Christian statesmen, and literary giants of the past 100 years, MacDonald's life and writings continue to be a source of controversy. Challenging the traditional religious views of his day, MacDonald was continually stretching, reaching, probing, questioning, and searching for truth. Author Michael R. Phillips leads the listener through those controversies to bring a fresh and insightful look at the man, his times, and his work.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2015 Michael R. Phillips (P)2015 Oasis Audio

Well done!

This biography is extremely well written with many quotes from MacDonald's own writing, which have autobiographical elements. The narration is excellent. The reader does a great Scots accent. In this biography you see the goodness and even holiness of C.S. Lewis' "mentor." By the end you feel you know MacDonald but also wish you had had the chance to know him during his lifetime.

Marvelous reading of an unusual biography

This unusual biography tells a great deal about MacDonald's heart and mind. Occasionally it tells where his body is and what it is doing.

Wonderful, absolutely wonderful

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this biography. Its very well researched and very detailed. I have read other MacDonald biographies but this is truly the best. It answers all the questions I have ever had concerning MacDonald. Though I don't agree with all of his theological musings the greatness of the man in his love for the Lord transcends all error. No one ever better described what Christian character should look like in a person than does McDonald in his novels and he apparently lived it out in his own life. I think I'm going to go right back to the beginning and listen to this biography all over again!

Long but thorough

I enjoyed this audiobook very much and saw different sides of MacDonald through Phillips’ eyes. As I research others biographies and talk to MacDonald fans Phillips was right…(paraphrasing his words) We each need to read MacDonald and write our own biography because we each will see something in his writings that speaks to us and our experience. MacDonald can’t be pigeonholed…he knew his Master and followed no one but God’s word.

Absolutely riveting.

I have loved George MacDonald's novels since my friend introduced me to them during my high school years, in the 1980's. They were life changing. And now I find this wonderfully detailed biography endears me even more to the man, his writings, his family and his travels. I am forever grateful he listened to God's call and wrote.