I can tell a lot of work went into the construction of this list. And as with all other such lists, it’s completely anglo or euro male dominated. Not a list for those of us interested in mankind’s great books. Although of course many of the books included here would make it into a list of Mankind’s Great Books. The problem here is what was left out.
It’s admirable to want to create a Mankind’s great books list but I’m not qualified to do that. I’m unable to deeply understand the Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Muslim cultures, for example, to begin to do this justice. I think few people are.
I’ve found in my extensive international travels, the best way to be cosmopolitan (a Greek word) is to have a deep understanding and appreciation of my own tradition, as I respect other cultures. Only by going deep into the Western Tradition can I truly appreciate its excellences and faults.
So, I can respect the non-duality tradition of Asian cultures while proudly saying I’m a product of the “Greek miracle.” Rationality, philosophy, and science were invented by the Ionian Greeks of Anatolia in 6th century BC. I discovered this by reading the pre-Socratic philosophers.
Yes, the list is male-heavy. But we can’t forget that the Western Tradition has many strong female role models.
I tell my daughters that the emblem of my alma mater West Point is not a Spartan helmet but the one that Athena wore. She was not only the goddess of war but also wisdom. A better role model than the wild, bezerker male god Ares. I wrote a recent newsletter piece where I explain that Athena was the first mentor. The fans of the recent Odyssey movie are seeing the divine mentor in action.
And Greek tragedy is full of formidable women who seize agency, speak truth to power, and drive the action—often at great personal cost. I’ve been inspired by heroines like Elektra, Medea and Antigone. Only by reading the great works of the playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides can you discover their great lessons.
Fair point. And still the western selection in this list left out a lot of great “Western” stuff that just so happens to have been written by Western women, western minorities and “non-Christian” Western writers
As a bookbinder and a reader, I find the idea of an unread library especially beautiful. A shelf of waiting books is not evidence of what we have failed to finish, but of the conversations still available to us. I would rather approach these 300 as lifelong companions than as a checklist to conquer..
I can tell a lot of work went into the construction of this list. And as with all other such lists, it’s completely anglo or euro male dominated. Not a list for those of us interested in mankind’s great books. Although of course many of the books included here would make it into a list of Mankind’s Great Books. The problem here is what was left out.
Guilty as charged.
It’s admirable to want to create a Mankind’s great books list but I’m not qualified to do that. I’m unable to deeply understand the Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Muslim cultures, for example, to begin to do this justice. I think few people are.
I’ve found in my extensive international travels, the best way to be cosmopolitan (a Greek word) is to have a deep understanding and appreciation of my own tradition, as I respect other cultures. Only by going deep into the Western Tradition can I truly appreciate its excellences and faults.
So, I can respect the non-duality tradition of Asian cultures while proudly saying I’m a product of the “Greek miracle.” Rationality, philosophy, and science were invented by the Ionian Greeks of Anatolia in 6th century BC. I discovered this by reading the pre-Socratic philosophers.
Yes, the list is male-heavy. But we can’t forget that the Western Tradition has many strong female role models.
I tell my daughters that the emblem of my alma mater West Point is not a Spartan helmet but the one that Athena wore. She was not only the goddess of war but also wisdom. A better role model than the wild, bezerker male god Ares. I wrote a recent newsletter piece where I explain that Athena was the first mentor. The fans of the recent Odyssey movie are seeing the divine mentor in action.
And Greek tragedy is full of formidable women who seize agency, speak truth to power, and drive the action—often at great personal cost. I’ve been inspired by heroines like Elektra, Medea and Antigone. Only by reading the great works of the playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides can you discover their great lessons.
Fair point. And still the western selection in this list left out a lot of great “Western” stuff that just so happens to have been written by Western women, western minorities and “non-Christian” Western writers
the list is titled “the 300 best books from the Western Tradition.”
So? Latin America is Western, women are Western, immigrants to the West are Western, Blacks are Western…the list goes on…as always.
It’s a superb list. Bravo!
Thanks. I'm glad its of value.
As a bookbinder and a reader, I find the idea of an unread library especially beautiful. A shelf of waiting books is not evidence of what we have failed to finish, but of the conversations still available to us. I would rather approach these 300 as lifelong companions than as a checklist to conquer..
I love that framing: lifelong companions, not trophies.
The best books repay return visits at different stages of life.
The aim is not to conquer a list, but to keep worthy conversations within reach for a lifetime.
A good library should inspire humility as much as ambition—there is always more to learn, and another great conversation waiting.
Superb essay. Thank you.
Thank you!
I hope it continues to be of value in your reading journey.
Thank you for sharing. I am currently working my way through the western canon.
That's great!
Think of it as a daily workout - where you are 'wrestling with wisdom'