What's Wrong with the World. [1910]

Gilbert K. Chesterton "What's Wrong with the World?" is a compelling critique of the modern world, drawing sharp distinctions between the moral values of the nineteenth century and those of today. The book anticipates many of today's issues, including women's rights, race relations, environmentalism, and class conflict. An astute observer of society, Chesterton identifies many ills in the early twentieth century— from increased divorce rates to abuses in advertising—that ring true even today. His remedies are as relevant now as they were then: he champions social reform through distributive justice rather than social Darwinism; he argues for greater female participation in public life; and he defends Christianity against secularism.