{"num_reviews":2,"add_this":[{"service":"facebook","annotation":""},{"service":"email","annotation":""},{"service":"twitter","annotation":""},{"service":"linkedin","annotation":""}],"gtin":null,"attributes":[],"options":[{"id":4992,"type":"Configurable_PickList_Set","display_name":"Format","required":true,"state":"variant_option","partial":"set-rectangle","condition":true,"values":[{"id":9821,"label":"Paperbound","selected":true,"data":"Paperbound"},{"id":9822,"label":"eBook","selected":false,"data":"eBook"}]}],"id":1384,"can_purchase":true,"meta_description":"Explore G.K. Chesterton's \"The Ball and the Cross\". Steampunk satire where two men challenge societal norms, uniting in their fight for freedom of belief.","category":["Shop By Subject/Literature/Youth Literature"],"AddThisServiceButtonMeta":"","main_image":{"data":"https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-iuax7bpgx3/images/stencil/{:size}/products/1384/16610/the-ball-and-the-cross__48362.1763137708.jpg?c=1","alt":" Cover of the book The Ball and the Cross "},"add_to_wishlist_url":"https://tanacademics.com/wishlist.php?action=add&product_id=1384","custom_fields":[{"id":"54189","name":"Author","value":"G.K. Chesterton"},{"id":"54190","name":"Illustrator","value":"Ben Hatke"},{"id":"54191","name":"Pages","value":"272"},{"id":"54192","name":"Imprint","value":"American Chesterton SocietySearchable"},{"id":"54193","name":"Product Format","value":"Paperbound"},{"id":"60896","name":"atc-product","value":"1719"},{"id":"60897","name":"atc-product","value":"3193"},{"id":"60898","name":"atc-product","value":"3761"},{"id":"60899","name":"cpu-product","value":"1221"},{"id":"60901","name":"cpu-product","value":"4232"},{"id":"60903","name":"cpu-product","value":"3002"}],"sku":"2740","backorder_availability_prompt":"","url":"https://tanacademics.com/products/books/the-ball-and-the-cross/","description":"<style>\n /* Scoped to only this description box */\n #tan-product-description h2,\n #tan-product-description h3 {\n font-family: 'Crimson Pro', serif !important;\n color: #870000 !important;\n }\n </style>\n<section id=\"tan-product-description\" style=\"font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; color: #262626;\"><!-- Title -->\n<h2 style=\"font-size: 2.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem;\">The Ball and the Cross</h2>\n<!-- Author/Publisher -->\n<p style=\"margin: .25rem 0; font-size: .9rem; color: #555;\">By G. K. Chesterton &middot; Published by TAN Books</p>\n<!-- Overview -->\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Overview</h3>\n<p>This novel by G. K. Chesterton is a spirited satire first published in 1909, in which a devout Catholic Highlander and a fervent atheist Lowlander duel both intellectually and physically over their beliefs, only to find that the unbelieving world will not allow their contest. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} Through humor, paradox, and adventure, Chesterton explores the timeless conflict between faith and reason. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}</p>\n<!-- Conversion Bullets -->\n<ul style=\"margin: 1.5rem 0; padding-left: 1.25rem;\">\n<li>A lively, philosophical novel that dramatizes the clash between Christianity and secularism.</li>\n<li>Filled with Chesterton&rsquo;s characteristic wit, paradox, and imaginative satire.</li>\n<li>Shows the strength and dignity of holding beliefs worth dying for, even amid ridicule.</li>\n<li>Highly accessible for high school students, adult readers, and anyone interested in Christian apologetics.</li>\n<li>Physical paperback edition is well suited for reading groups, libraries, or personal study.</li>\n</ul>\n<!-- From the Book -->\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">From the Book</h3>\n<blockquote style=\"font-style: italic; border-left: 4px solid #E2E2E2; background: #fafafa; padding: 1rem; font-size: 1rem; margin: 1rem 0;\">&ldquo;They discover to their astonishment that an unbelieving world won&rsquo;t let them fight for their beliefs.&rdquo;<br /><span style=\"font-size: .9rem; color: #555;\">&mdash; Narrative summary</span></blockquote>\n<!-- Intended Audience -->\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Intended Audience</h3>\n<p>Ideal for Catholic homeschooling families, parish study groups, and mature young adult readers who appreciate thoughtful fiction rooted in theological debate.</p>\n<!-- Key Themes (moved to bottom) -->\n<div style=\"background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2; padding: 1.5rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.25rem; margin: 0 0 .5rem;\">Key Themes</h3>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 1.25rem;\">\n<li>The struggle between faith and reason</li>\n<li>Friendship born of conviction</li>\n<li>The cost of ideological fidelity</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</section>","show_backorder_message":false,"tags":[],"warranty":"","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$16.07","value":16.07,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax","sale_price_without_tax":{"formatted":"$16.07","value":16.07,"currency":"USD"},"non_sale_price_without_tax":{"formatted":"$22.95","value":22.95,"currency":"USD"}},"default_shipping_expectation_prompt":"","detail_messages":"","availability":"","page_title":"The Ball and the Cross | TAN Books | TAN Books","cart_url":"https://tanacademics.com/cart.php","show_backorder_availability_prompt":false,"max_purchase_quantity":0,"show_quantity_on_hand":false,"show_default_shipping_expectation_prompt":false,"show_quantity_on_backorder":false,"mpn":null,"upc":"9781505111699","shipping_messages":[],"rating":5,"reviews":{"messages":[],"throttleToken":"cbe8f0dc-e8af-431f-b912-9b92ca9e9be3","captcha":"6LdWf8gSAAAAAI83aRectJhbwidegZKk8PzWBltH","total":2,"end":2,"recaptcha":{"enabled":1,"public_key":"6LdWf8gSAAAAAI83aRectJhbwidegZKk8PzWBltH","markup":"<div class=\"g-recaptcha\" data-sitekey=\"6LcjX0sbAAAAACp92-MNpx66FT4pbIWh-FTDmkkz\"></div><br/>"},"start":1,"list":[{"name":"Joe M","rating":"5","title":"The Ball and the Cross","text":"This is a fantastic book and a fantastic edition of it. The story is a great dialogue between faith and skepticism and the printing of it is clean, readable and the illustrations really complement the text. ","date":"May 27th 2025"},{"rating":"5","title":"The Ball and the Cross","text":"This book is an incredible one and the new illustrations match Chesterton’s lively descriptions perfectly! Highly recommend the book and this edition in particular.","date":"May 12th 2024"}]},"bulk_discount_rates":[{"type":"percent","min":25,"max":49,"discount":{"formatted":"30%","value":30}},{"type":"percent","min":50,"max":99,"discount":{"formatted":"45%","value":45}},{"type":"percent","min":100,"max":0,"discount":{"formatted":"55%","value":55}}],"meta_keywords":"Chesterton","show_quantity_input":1,"title":"The Ball and the Cross","gift_wrapping_available":false,"min_purchase_quantity":0,"customizations":[],"images":[{"data":"https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-iuax7bpgx3/images/stencil/{:size}/products/1384/16610/the-ball-and-the-cross__48362.1763137708.jpg?c=1","alt":" Cover of the book The Ball and the Cross "}]}