Every great book is a road laid by the dead for the living. Some roads lead through kingdoms, some through grief, and a surprising number pass through terrible family dinners.
My son was talking about the odyssey last year and said his biggest problem with it is that he always wishes he were reading the Iliad instead. So I’m starting that one soon!
I’m 75, although I went to agrammar school I have never read any of these books. I feel I have probably missed a large part of my education. I look forward to following this page and cementing a lot of already gained elsewhere knowledge!
I am not a member of this reading club but I fervently recommend the reading list to anyone that follows me.
If you believe that these writings bear no relevance to you or your experience, you would be wrong. Immerse yourselves in the classics for both historical context and reference.
I know LouisL'Amour isn't a "high-brow" author but he is the individual that got me to read "Plutarch’s Lives." In the "Sackett Brand" the hero tells of being snowed in for the winter and all he had to read was "Plutarch's Lives" and the "Bible." So out of curiosity, I went and bought me a copy of "Plutarch's Lives!" A fun book to read. Just the rambling thoughts of an old hermit.
Well, you can’t blame this list for lack of ambition! One question, don’t you think that to really enjoy these books you need to already have quite some knowledge that you’ll need to pick up elsewhere? Just thinking of a person who might be discouraged if they just jump in.
I read the Odyssey last year and completely got it, loved it. Partly it’s a good edition—I love Fagles. The Nicomachaen Ethic pictured here is a beast, “accurate” for scholars but not very readable. I used a Hillsdale video course to tackle that one. You can do it.
Oh, I'm depressed. I have read thousands of books in my nearly 80 years, most worth reading. I don't believe in wasting my time on brain candy, but darn it! I haven't read 8 out of ten of these, although I have surveyed each and every one within its historical, cultural or literary context. I feel ashamed to consider myself truly literate now.
I'm always humbled when someone explains from their heart, it's sort of poetic...in the process you're sharing words of wisdom. Much appreciated... 🙌🏽🇿🇦🪷
Don Quixote is the one on this list you can actually walk. La Mancha still has windmills standing near Consuegra and Campo de Criptana that match Cervantes' description closely enough that towns argue over which ones "really" inspired the giants scene. Reading the book first changes what you see when you get there — the joke lands differently once you've stood under one.
This is amazing post ! It's true so many people struggle to complete a book. I remember back in uni , all my friends (even though we were studying literature) hated reading books and only relied on AI for instant notes making etc. Since when our generation begain hating books ? The books mentioned in this article are all masterpieces. I'd also include Prince by Mechiavelli. 🌷 And Shakespearean plays. Also, Charles Dickens.
Every great book is a road laid by the dead for the living. Some roads lead through kingdoms, some through grief, and a surprising number pass through terrible family dinners.
My son was talking about the odyssey last year and said his biggest problem with it is that he always wishes he were reading the Iliad instead. So I’m starting that one soon!
I’m 75, although I went to agrammar school I have never read any of these books. I feel I have probably missed a large part of my education. I look forward to following this page and cementing a lot of already gained elsewhere knowledge!
I am not a member of this reading club but I fervently recommend the reading list to anyone that follows me.
If you believe that these writings bear no relevance to you or your experience, you would be wrong. Immerse yourselves in the classics for both historical context and reference.
Livy - Founding of the Roman Republic. That's my fav.
I am curious, are there comparable lists of Eastern thought, or women writers who couldn’t make these lists as they were women?
Great question Cindy. White, Christian, Male - nothing to see here :D
😂😂😂😂
So glad The Great Gatsby wasn't on the list. Haha
Worst “classic” of all time
I know LouisL'Amour isn't a "high-brow" author but he is the individual that got me to read "Plutarch’s Lives." In the "Sackett Brand" the hero tells of being snowed in for the winter and all he had to read was "Plutarch's Lives" and the "Bible." So out of curiosity, I went and bought me a copy of "Plutarch's Lives!" A fun book to read. Just the rambling thoughts of an old hermit.
Well, you can’t blame this list for lack of ambition! One question, don’t you think that to really enjoy these books you need to already have quite some knowledge that you’ll need to pick up elsewhere? Just thinking of a person who might be discouraged if they just jump in.
I read the Odyssey last year and completely got it, loved it. Partly it’s a good edition—I love Fagles. The Nicomachaen Ethic pictured here is a beast, “accurate” for scholars but not very readable. I used a Hillsdale video course to tackle that one. You can do it.
Too many books, so little time.
Oh, I'm depressed. I have read thousands of books in my nearly 80 years, most worth reading. I don't believe in wasting my time on brain candy, but darn it! I haven't read 8 out of ten of these, although I have surveyed each and every one within its historical, cultural or literary context. I feel ashamed to consider myself truly literate now.
What a wonderful set of books.
I'm always humbled when someone explains from their heart, it's sort of poetic...in the process you're sharing words of wisdom. Much appreciated... 🙌🏽🇿🇦🪷
I support this message -
Don Quixote is the one on this list you can actually walk. La Mancha still has windmills standing near Consuegra and Campo de Criptana that match Cervantes' description closely enough that towns argue over which ones "really" inspired the giants scene. Reading the book first changes what you see when you get there — the joke lands differently once you've stood under one.
This is amazing post ! It's true so many people struggle to complete a book. I remember back in uni , all my friends (even though we were studying literature) hated reading books and only relied on AI for instant notes making etc. Since when our generation begain hating books ? The books mentioned in this article are all masterpieces. I'd also include Prince by Mechiavelli. 🌷 And Shakespearean plays. Also, Charles Dickens.