Great Books of the Western World

This is the second edition of the compendium of Great Books. The first volume titled "The Great Conversation" -- updated by the Editor in Chief of The Great Books, Mortimer Adler -- explains why the 60 volume collection is organized as it is and what the three criteria were, established over several years' compilation, for inclusion in the set. "Influence" was not a criterion for selection, otherwise Hitler, Stalin and Lenin would have been incorporated, among other notable authors who were omitted. Unless you read "The Great Conversation" and the two volume Syntopicon you will undoubtedly be bewildered about the organizational structure of these books. Be aware, this is not like a set of college textbooks. These are original works, dating from Homer in 900-800 B.C. through mid-20th century's Samuel Beckett. Much of it is difficult reading. It's a collection of the great ideas of western civilization, not simply books that encompass only one subject each. If you are looking for such a thing you will not only waste your money and time but you'll be very disappointed and your set will probably end up on eBay.The general organization of The Great Books is by date written, but there are so many cross-references of the "great ideas" and "great authors" that you can find any subject, idea or author by using the Syntopicon as your guide. Adler and the editors have narrowed what they consider the great ideas of western civilization down to 102. Astonishing, when you consider the writing and authors span about 2800 years of western thought.The readings include virtually all of the subjects considered the liberal arts: literature of all kinds; philosophy and theology; mathematics and the natural sciences; history, biography and the social sciences; and economics, sociology and anthropology. If you're not in a college program that uses the Great Books in their curriculum, Adler provides a ten year reading plan for the books in "The Great Conversation." Again, not for the faint of heart, but I guarantee if you manage to get through all 60 books you will truly be educated.As an FYI, I'm currently in what seems to be the sole graduate program in the country that uses only the Great Books in their curriculum. It is also a distance-learning program and uses the Socratic method for discussions, which are held by telephone with tutors (what teachers or professors are usually called when using this method of inquiry and discussion). Check out my Amazon profile for some details.

This set of 60 volumes is a great acquisition for any person who is truly interested in classic or academic literature (well with the Canon wars, I suppose I have to say "traditional academic"). The format is dense and double columned, but that allows some interesting works to be included (quite an impressive swath of the literary panorama). Some of the works I found astonishing to be included in a set of supposed "essentials" were: the extremely long Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (down side: this edition has the notes on the back), Huizinga's The Waning of the Middle Ages, and the biography of Samuel Johnson. I've found the translations pretty solid, at least they're not 'hideous' as one reviewer says, and since they are translations more or less renowned I don't think this part was overlooked by the editors.Definitely the lowest point of the selection are the scientific works, not only illegible in most cases, but useless also. It would have been a thousand times better to include The Sleepwalkers by Arthur Koestler than the voluminous tome of works by Copernicus, Kepler and Ptolemy; maybe in the next edition they will do that (hopefully it will be made some day). Also regarding the selection, I find it agreeable that philosophical and more "historical" works are as represented as the 'aesthethic literarure' genres. I don't read much poetry, but some literary fiend could be appalled by the lack of modern poets. But this is a selection after all and, like the case of poetry, 20th century literature needs to be complemented in any household where the set is actually read.Maybe these books will seem flawed to other readers, but I'm quite happy with them.

For a set of books published in 1992 and over 30 years old, these are in beautiful condition! I'm so happy to have them added to my library. Initially promised delivery was this coming Wednesday, and they arrived five days early. Great doing business with you! Thank you

I discovered (after my return window had closed) that some of the volumes had been highlighted. Very disappointed!

Amazing collection - came all the way from the US to India from a seller named Vladimir Belskiy !This is the second edition set (1990) and printed in 1994 - the way the new set was preserved was like a parchment preserved in a national museum. Not a single spot or damage. Thanks for the seller especially - was surprised to see some of the reviews about him - but this is for real folks !I have waited for such a new set for 30 years ! I already have the old first edition with 54 volumes.

Five stars for sure. I would encourage anyone who loves Western history, philosophy, economics, literature, and theology to buy this entire set. I must say, however, that it may seem to some that the editors and actual authors have a conservative lean. I'm conservative though so I loved it. This set may take 10 years to read, so start early! I loved reading the works of Marcus Aurelius, Machiavelli, Plato, Plutarch, and others I still have yet to read. The letters are small, the paragraphs long, and it is very dense material to read. I think only very intelligent people will have the desire to read these great works. I also think that if you actually do read even a few of these works, you will become smarter and more educated. I heard someone else say that reading the entire set is the equivalent of earning university degrees in history, philosophy, and literature.

All 60 volumes arrived with no issues. Some of the pages were still "stuck" together so they were clearly never opened yet. Exactly what you hope for with ordering encyclopaedias! Can't wait to start reading...