The Chronicles of Narnia: 7 Books in 1 Hardcover Hardcover - 2004

About this book

First line

This is a story about something that happened long ago when your grandfather was a child.

From the rear cover

Journeys to the end of the world, fantastic creatures, and epic battles between good and evil -- what more could any reader ask for in one book? The book that has it all is the lion, the witch and the wardrobe, written in 1949 by C. S. Lewis. But Lewis did not stop there. Six more books followed, and together they became known as The Chronicles of Narnia.

For the past fifty years, The Chronicles of Narnia have transcended the fantasy genre to become part of the canon of classic literature. Each of the seven books is a masterpiece, drawing the reader into a world where magic meets reality, and the result is a fictional world whose scope has fascinated generations.

This edition presents all seven books -- unabridged -- in one impressive volume. The books are presented here according to Lewis's preferred order, each chapter graced with an illustration by the original artist, Pauline Baynes. This edition also contains C. S. Lewis's essay "On Three Ways of Writing for Children," in which he explains precisely how the magic of Narnia and the realm of fantasy appeal not only to children but to discerning readers of all ages. Deceptively simple and direct, The Chronicles of Narnia continue to captivate fans with adventures, characters, and truths that speak to all readers, even fifty years after the books were first published.

First Edition Identification

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of fantasy novels by British author C. S. Lewis. Written by Lewis, illustrated by Pauline Baynes, and originally published in London between 1950 and 1956.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first book of the series, was published by Geoffrey Bles in the United Kingdom on 16 October 1950. - States "First Printing" on the copyright page, Bound in light blue cloth with lettering stamped in silver on spine. 

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia, second book in the series, was published on 15 October 1951- Octavo with original blue cloth, spine lettered in silver, and map front endpapers. Colour frontispiece, black and white illustrations throughout.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, third book, was first published on 15 September 1952 - Bound in blue/grey cloth, stamped in navy blue with illustrations by Pauline Bayles.

The Silver Chair, fourth in the series, published on 7 September 1953- Black and white illustrations, original map end papers, dark blue hard back binding with silver-gilt lettering to the spine

The Horse and His Boy, fifth book,  was published on 6 September 1954- Brown buckram with brown lettering on the spine and front board.

The Magician's Nephew, sixth book, published by Bodley Head in London on 2 May 1955 - This book is illustrated throughout with the black & white drawings by Pauline Baynes. Plain endpapers, green cloth binding with silver spine title. 

The Last Battle, the last book in the series, was published on the 4th of September 1956- Pale green cloth stamped in black on the front panel and the spine panel. Illustrations and dust jacket art by Pauline Baynes.

Media reviews

Citations

• Hornbook Guide to Children, 01/01/2005, Page 79