Chesterton asserts that Dickens was a great man and a great writer in this fascinating literary biography. He competently defends Dickens against the charges that he exaggerated too much and examines his writing in careful relation to his life. Chestertons insight into Dickens and his work is an excellent introduction to the writing of one of the most important literary figures of English Literature.

1. The2. The 3. The 4. The 5. The 6. 7. 8. The 9. 10. The 11. 12. A Dickens period -- boyhood of Dickens -- youth of Dickens -- Pickwick papers -- great popularity -- Dickens and America -- Dickens and Christmas -- time of transition -- Later life and works -- great Dickens characters -- On the alleged optimism of Dickens - -- note on the future of Dickens. The Dickens period -- The boyhood of Dickens -- The youth of Dickens -- "The Pickwick Papers" -- The great popularity -- Dickens and America -- Dickens and Christmas -- The time of transition -- Later life and works -- The great Dickens characters -- On the alleged optimism of Dickens -- A not on the future of Dickens.