Last year a friend had the hard job of moving her mom to a long-term care facility and her father to a small apartment. Two homes to scale down a life-time of items. Her mom kept newspaper clippers of anything she thought her children would be interested in. So it was a walk down memory lane and in some cases great keepsakes.
One item my friend came across that no one else wanted was the Harvard Classics. They look like old encyclopedias. Rows of hardcover books lining your bookcase.
The beginning the Harvard Classics was Dr. Eliot, then President of Harvard University, had stated in speeches that the elements of a liberal education could be obtained by spending 15 minutes a day reading from a collection of books that could fit on a five-foot shelf.
Dr. Eliot then went on to gather the collection and publish the works in 51 volumes. That would of course sit on a five-foot shelf. This is just a taste of what is included in the 51 volumes: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Plato, Francis Bacon, Wealth of Nations, Origin of Species, Don Quixote and The Odyssey. I stopped scanning at volume 12 so….
My friend and I are reading the Harvard Classics this year. They are now in her living room in a small bookcase. I have already read authors I have only heard about. Some readings are easier than others. A few I have read a sentence twice to grasp. But this is all about getting my “liberal education”.
For more information check out the Harvard_Classics. I was surprised at how many results came up. This will also show exactly who and what are in each volume. When I think about it is amazing to have all this knowledge at your finger tips.
So the Harvard Classics is part of my reading for this year. Check it out as it was a surprise to me.
You can always start now!
Kindle offers a similar collection. “50 Masterpieces You should read”. There are three volumes. :). I give you lots of credit for taking a stab. Many of the books are ones I’m very glad “to have read” already , for I surely wouldn’t want to read them today.
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It is fun doing them with a friend. So far it has been pieces of essays, stories, poetry etc. Remember 15 minutes of reading so passages.
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👍🏼 that sounds so interesting. Happy reading. xx
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Great info. Thanks!!
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Trying to keep up. Some readings are easier than others.
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A super challenge. Looking forward to your posts!
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This is really cool! What a great find. I read a lot of the classics in university, but I think I missed out on a lot of the best non-literary ones. This is a project I’d like to sink my teeth into… I have a similar set that belonged to my grandfather. Right now they are just decorating my office, but maybe I should actually read through them!
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Yes get them out. The Harvard Classics has exact readings each day. Most readings are only 15 minutes so pieces of classics etc. Some easier to get through them other. Also poetry which I have found reading out loud helps. Go check them out and keep me posted.
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