#10887 LORD OF THE WORLD. Robert Hugh Benson.
Robert Hugh Benson

LORD OF THE WORLD

In Robert Hugh Benson's Lord of the World, readers are catapulted into a future where secular humanism and technological advancements pave the way for the rise of an Antichrist figure and the potential end of the world. Garnering recognition and remarks from notable figures including Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, this prophetic novel retains a startling relevance, over a century since its publication, illustrating a chilling vision of apocalyptic events spurred by the abandonment of spiritual faith. The first edition is quite rare and seldom found in such fine condition.

Hardcover. First Edition. Octavo, bound in green pictorial boards, with a very striking cover design. London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, 1907. #10887.
Other than some foxing to the preliminary and rear pages, and slight rubbing to the "H" in "Hugh" on the front cover, this is a fine copy with virtually no exterior wear. Amazingly well preserved copy.

Additional Details
Published in 1907, Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson offers a gripping insight into a dystopian future that seems all too recognizable more than a century later. The novel takes us on a journey where technology and secular humanism have reached their zenith, gradually edging out spiritual beliefs and giving rise to a society teetering on the brink of moral decay.

Central to this narrative is the rise of Julian Felsenburgh, a charismatic yet ominous leader who promises global unity but at a grave spiritual cost. This figure, bearing striking resemblances to the Antichrist, emerges during a time of political upheaval, quickly captivating the masses with his pledge of a new world order devoid of religious division.

The tale also brings to life the poignant journey of Percy Franklin, a steadfast Catholic priest who embodies the diminishing flicker of faith in a world enraptured by Felsenburgh's promises. As their paths inevitably cross, the narrative unfolds into a riveting confrontation between the lure of modernism and the enduring power of spiritual belief.

Benson's eerie foresight into the challenges of contemporary society has been notably acknowledged by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, who have cited the novel's prophetic nature and its vivid representation of a world losing sight of its spiritual anchorage.

Standing as a significant work in the dystopian genre, Lord of the World not only forewarns of the perils of unchecked technological advancement and secularism but also serves as a resonant call to preserve the sanctity of spiritual faith amidst modernity's relentless progression. A stirring narrative that intertwines personal, political, and spiritual struggles, it offers a timeless reflection on the complex interplay between faith and reason, good and evil, in a world flirting with its own demise amid the allure of modernization.