This section of the site is devoted to the philosophy and politics of Charlton Heston. If you are looking for his political musings or philosophical ponderings, then this section is where you should be.

The section is divided into two parts:

• Wisdom
• Politics

The Wisdom of Charlton Heston The best way to learn from the wisdom of Heston is to read his books, which detail countless stories from which lessons can be learned. My favorite is To Be A Man, a collection of ancedotes written for his grandson Jack. Below are some of the best books to read to get a look inside the mind of Heston:

Beginning in early 1956, Charlton Heston started recording his thoughts in a journal. He kept it through 1976. Around that time, the esteemed actor decided to edit the contents of his diary, and make some of his thoughts available to the public in the form of a book. But this isn't an autobiography, he writes (that's In The Arena, written years later). This book is a great read for Heston film fans, because it gives you an idea of what the actor thought while making his movies. After seeing Planet of the Apes for the first time, how did Chuck feel about his performance? When The Agony and the Ecstasy got panned by critics, but his and Rex Harrison's performances won praise, how did he feel? All the answers to those questions and more are locked inside of this fascinating book.

Published in 1997, In The Arena is the story of Charlton Heston's life, as told by the actor himself. From his early days in Michigan to meeting his wife Lydia at Northwestern to his budding film career and beyond, this book tells everything you could want to know about Charlton Heston (born Charles Carter by the way, it's in the book). In The Arena gives great insight into where this marvel of a man came from and what made him the person he is today.

Although the Charlton Heston Presents the Bible video series is most famous, the companion book can also be an interesting tool for fans of the actor who are religiously inclined. Charlton Heston Presents the Bible includes a generous selection of passages from the Bible, insightful commentary on the stories of Adam and Eve, Moses, David, and others, excerpts and commentary on the New Testament, color reproductions of classic works of art, and much more.

This touching book is a collection of anecdotes with a moral lessons as told by Charlton Heston for his young grandson Jack. If you have read In The Arena, you may already be familiar with some of the tales, but in the context of this message from the elder generation to the youngest one the stories are given new meaning. Heston's grandfatherly wisdom and charm are at an apex in this book. It shows you what a truly great family man he is.

The Politics of Charlton Heston Most famous today for his role as President of the National Rifle Association, Charlton Heston has been a political activist for many years. And, it may be surprising to some, all of his causes have not been associated with the ideological right-wing. Heston marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. on Washington as the leader of the arts contingent in the struggle for equal rights for people of all races, creeds and colors, as he often (rightfully) recalls with pride. At one time, after the assassinations of President Kennedy, King, and Robert Kennedy, Heston even lobbied for gun control (he now says he was misguided). Heston also served as the President of the Screen Actors Guild from 1966 to 1971. Today, Heston acts as a self-declared moving target for the media, championing his mostly conservative causes despite a massive backlash from the liberal community. Speeches May 20, 2000 -- NRA Annual Meeting - Charlotte, North Carolina March 28, 2000 -- "Free Thought And Freedom" -- Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts March 11, 2000 -- British Columbia Wildlife Federation -- Prince George, British Columbia, Canada January 8, 2000 -- Opening Session of the Arizona State Legislature -- Phoenix, Arizona November 19, 1999 -- Goldwater Institute Annual Award Dinner -- Phoenix, Arizona October 28, 1999 -- Building Industry Association of Washington -- Seattle, Washington June 24, 1999 -- "Political Disobedience" -- Young Republicans Association Convention, Cincinnati, Ohio May 1, 1999 -- NRA Convention Opening Comments -- Denver, Colorado May 1, 1999 -- NRA Convention Closing Comments -- Denver, Colorado April 16, 1999 -- "Truth And Consequences" -- Yale University February 16, 1999 -- "Winning The Cultural War" -- Harvard Law School Forum December 20, 1997 -- 13th Annual Ashbrook Award for Public Service presented to Charlton Heston (.RAM, 1.7M) Audio Version September 11, 1997 -- The Second Ammendment: America's First Freedom

Send all comments to The Charlton Heston Online Shrine

Sourcecode ;©1996 - 1999 Andrew Parmet and Chris Kivlehan. Click here to get more info. This site is not endorsed by Charlton Heston or any organization he is, was or will be associated with. It's just a wacky fan site, so please don't sue us. Best viewed at a resolution of 832 X 624 with thousands of colors.