From detective stories and penny dreadfuls to skeletons, slang, and patriotism, G. K. Chesterton offers fresh perspectives on a remarkable range of subjects. The master essayist addresses each topic — planets, humility, nonsense, ugly things — with his characteristic combination of wit, paradox, and good humor. Chesterton's "defenses" of seemingly innocuous matters reveal many of the hidden assumptions and dogmas of his time. The first collection of the prolific author's essays, The Defendant has been unavailable for many years. This earliest edition features an eloquent Introduction by Dale Ahlquist, president of the American Chesterton Society. The extensive writings of G. K. Chesterton (1847–1936) include journalism, poetry, plays, history, biography, apologetics, and detective fiction. His writings have profoundly influenced countless readers, from C. S. Lewis to Michael Collins to Mahatma Gandhi.