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 4,000 essays-remain among the most beloved in the English language

This 1909 collection shows off Chesterton's talent as a master of short-form prose. These "fleeting sketches," which originally appeared the London newspaper Daily News, describe the most ordinary of events and observations, but through Chesterton's eye, they take on profound new meaning. He explores:

. the secret of a train
. an extraordinary cabman
. the advantages of having one leg
. on lying in bed
. what he found in his pocket
. an orthodox barber
. some policemen and a moral
. little birds who won't sing
. and much more.