Heretics (published in 1905) is a compilation of Chesterston's critical essays on the 'heresies' of modern thought - such as, amongst others, progressivism, liberalism, relativism, skepticism and aestheticism - as expressed by some of his contemporaries. He illustrates his observations and discusses the issues with his trademark dry wit.

A quote from the chapter named On Mr McCabe And A Divine Frivolity:

Mr McCabe thinks that I am not serious but only funny, because Mr McCabe thinks that funny is the opposite of serious. Funny is the opposite of not funny, and of nothing else.

Whilst Chesterton covers a given topic comprehensively insofar as it is a criticism, he does not directly offer a remedy or solution to the problem, nor does he claim to. Thus, his defence of Christian principles and common sense is only implicit. It was a few years later, in 1908, when he followed up with what is probably his most famous book, Orthodoxy, in which he defends Christian orthodoxy by not only criticizing modern thought but also explicitly illustrating the crucial need for the former.

It is not crucial that Heretics be read before Orthodoxy. In any case, Orthodoxy is also recommended; in a sense that is considered as highly.

Recommended Audience: 16+