The Club of Queer Trades

British writer GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON (1874-1936) expounded prolifically about his wide-ranging philosophies-he is impossible to categorize as liberal or conservative for instance-across a wide variety of avenues: he was a literary critic historian playwright novelist columnist and poet. His witty humorous style earned him the title of the prince of paradox and his works-80 books and nearly 4000 essays-remain among the most beloved in the English language This 1905 collection of short stories is a splendid example of Chestertons wicked style and devastating intellect. Revolving around the members of a London club who must invent their own wacky professions-and make a living from them-these tales send up the British class system the state of London in the Victoria era the ironies of the law and more. Complete with the authors original illustrations the stories include: . The Tremendous Adventures of Major Brown . The Painful Fall of a Great Reputation . The Awful Reason of the Vicars Visit . The Singular Speculation of the House-Agent . The Noticeable Conduct of Professor Chadd . The Eccentric Seclusion of the Old Lady