Reason Read: TIOLI Jan 2023
I obtained this book last year as BB from Paul.
This book is a selection of over 3000 books to read in 45 categories. The authors call it a guide to an imaginary library. It was published in 1981 and therefore it is going to be dated. I haven't paid enough attention to this book so I am glad to finally make that right. The authors Frederic Raphael, Kenneth McLeish represent American and UK. ( )

Let us say you are building a private library. Let us also say that you want to read in a large variety of subjects but suffer from a crippling inability to either do a lot of research or make wise decisions. Well, Frederic Raphael and Kenneth McLeish, with their List of Books, can come to your rescue. In this slim volume, they collect what they believe to be the best and key books in various fields, summarize them briefly, and organize them for your collecting pleasure. With over 3,000 books in 35 different fields, you would be hard-pressed not to find something here that didn’t pique your interest.

The List of Books is organized, curated, and marked rather well. There are symbols telling you if the book is a major work by the author, if it’s a little dense but worth the effort, if the book is good for beginners in the field, or if the book may just change the way you think. There are also symbols denoting good illustrations or a good bibliography. The lists here are seemingly thorough without being overwrought. The book is a little dated, that’s for sure, but the books listed here, I believe, can stand the test of time. Happy collecting! ( )

I love books that are lists of other books you should read. And in my opinion, this one is, and always will be, the best. It introduced me to the concept of the literary canon. I would not have one quarter the education I have today without this book. I only wish the authors, or some like-minded individuals, would write a sequel and bring it up to date. ( )

This is an invaluable guide to more than 3,000 books organized by subject area. Each listing includes a brief precis and indications for books that are of particular value or interest in a particular field. It is a good starting point for anyone interested in expanding his reading into unfamiliar territory. The ratings, while sometimes controversial, provide a way to focus on the best of each genre. The breadth of the listings make it a worthwhile reference work. The co-author, Kenneth McLeish, has also written The Prentice Hall Good Reading Guide which is another favorite book about books. ( )