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.
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.
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.
The URANTIA BOOK, Urantia foundation, 1955, is the most ambitious modern work you will have the good fortune to explore. It is a collection of papers (196), that deep-dive into Divinity, history, philosophy, science and the last third, an epic biography (fictional or revalatory, you decide) of Jesus Christ. If for no other reason, this bio is ultimately inspiring as it illuminates, corrects, and advances the life, teachings, and religion of Jesus the Christ.
I found your selection of texts interesting in what was not listed. It is clear - and named - that these books are key to the Western experience. I have spent the last 50 years or so working in and out of Asia. There the selection would be radically different. I would love to see your thoughts about contrasting and complimentary books on the topic of life, leadership, or ethics from other cultural perspectives. The contrast between Chinese and Western themes would be fascinating to explore.
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.
I have no quarrel with these book choices, but your Substack moniker is the same as that of a museum in Scottsdale, Arizona, so I was hoping that museum had posted eight great novels of the American West by the likes of Larry McMurtry and Louis L’Amour.
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’ve read four of the eight. Dante’s Divine Comedy was my favorite.
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!
Livy - Founding of the Roman Republic. That's my fav.
He wrote with such gusto!
I love the way the Hero's have so much Virtus
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
😂😂😂😂
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.
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.
So glad The Great Gatsby wasn't on the list. Haha
Why would it be? No classics apparently exist after the 16th century.
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.
The URANTIA BOOK, Urantia foundation, 1955, is the most ambitious modern work you will have the good fortune to explore. It is a collection of papers (196), that deep-dive into Divinity, history, philosophy, science and the last third, an epic biography (fictional or revalatory, you decide) of Jesus Christ. If for no other reason, this bio is ultimately inspiring as it illuminates, corrects, and advances the life, teachings, and religion of Jesus the Christ.
Plato of course. I keep going back to dear Plato.
I found your selection of texts interesting in what was not listed. It is clear - and named - that these books are key to the Western experience. I have spent the last 50 years or so working in and out of Asia. There the selection would be radically different. I would love to see your thoughts about contrasting and complimentary books on the topic of life, leadership, or ethics from other cultural perspectives. The contrast between Chinese and Western themes would be fascinating to explore.
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.
🚙🌺🤠🌺🚙
https://substack.com/@goodfellasoprano/note/p-221409375?r=8vji32&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I have no quarrel with these book choices, but your Substack moniker is the same as that of a museum in Scottsdale, Arizona, so I was hoping that museum had posted eight great novels of the American West by the likes of Larry McMurtry and Louis L’Amour.