British scholar and author Clive Staples Lewis (1898 - 1963) wrote more than 40 books, including science fiction, literary criticism, Christian apologetics, and poetry, but his most popular works remain the seven children's books that constitute The Chronicles of Narnia, published between 1950 and 1956. Drawing on biblical symbols, Greek and Roman mythology, and English and Irish fairy tales, Lewis was able to create the enchanted setting of Narnia, a fictional world where magic meets reality. Today these novels continue to sustain an immense and wide readership, and have inspired an impressive body of literary criticism. The first published book in the series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, is a perennial children's favorite. C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia is an ideal resource for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the epic topics and ethereal imagery presented in the works, and is a perfect guide for students composing compare-and-contrast essays on this enduring and endearing classic.