Some Impressions of My Elders

"Some Impressions of My Elders" by St. John G. Ervine is a series of thoughtful essays where the author looks back at the famous people who shaped his thinking, such as G. K. Chesterton and Arnold Bennett. Ervine shares his honest views, both admiring and questioning these older thinkers, showing how they affected him as he grew up. At the start of the book, he wonders if writing about them is even worth it, since so much has already been written. He remembers meeting these well-known writers, feeling respect for their talent but also unsure of himself. He then starts to break down their influences, comparing his own new ideas with the popular beliefs of the day. Ervine mixes personal stories with comments on society, helping us understand how these literary giants influenced him and the world of books at the time.