Book

Great Books

Name: Great Books
ISBN: 9780684835334

David Denby

Simon & Schuster · Paperback · September 25, 1997

Reading lane: 20th-Century Literary Criticism

20th-Century Literary Criticism American Lit Crit Ancient & Classical Literary Criticism literary

philosophy

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At a Glance

Why This Clicks

Reading the Greats

A personal return to classic texts becomes a lively blend of criticism, cultural commentary, and self-discovery.

Come here for

Homer, Boccaccio, Locke, Nietzsche, Conrad, and Woolf
A curious reader’s encounter with the books at the heart of culture wars

Expect

Literary criticism braided with reporting and autobiography
An enthusiastic, intellectually curious reading experience

Book Details

Authors: David Denby
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: September 25, 1997
Format: Paperback
Theme: 20th-Century Literary Criticism · American Lit Crit
Reading lane: 20th-Century Literary Criticism

Affinity

Publisher Categories

Education
Literary Criticism
20th-Century Literary Criticism

About This Book

Read full description

*NATIONAL BESTSELLER* “ A lively adventure of the mind...The tone of the prose...is one of unqualified enthusiasm: energy, vigor, intellectual curiosity, and what might be called an ecstasy of imaginative journalism.” — The New York Times Book Review At the age of forty-eight, writer and film critic David Denby returned to Columbia University and re-enrolled in two core courses in Western civilization to confront the literary and philosophical masterpieces -- the "great books" -- that are now at the heart of the culture wars. In Great Books, he leads us on a glorious tour, a rediscovery and celebration of such authors as Homer and Boccaccio, Locke and Nietzsche. Conrad and Woolf. The resulting personal odyssey is an engaging blend of self-discovery, cultural commentary, reporting, criticism, and autobiography -- an inspiration for anyone in love with the written word.