Beginner's Guide to Reading The Classics

Many people want to read more classic literature. They want to start reading great books, but they don't know where to start. I created this video in answer to that question: "Where to start reading classic literature?" Of course, I do all kinds of great books on this channel, so I did not limit my discussion to literature alone. This video is useful for people who are beginner's looking for advice on where to start reading philosophy or literature -- all manner of great books.
I mention a few editions in this video. They are:
Penguin Classics
Hackett
Oxford World Classics and
Norton Critical Editions
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[@melindaaimeeroth5580]

My father who taught English literature and speech until he was 91 told me that when a person approaches the ancient literature, he or she should read about eight explanations and one valid explanation, he said, was "The Cliff Notes," and another he said was a graphic novel of the piece of literature. I did this during the pandemic and read eight explanations from his shelf of "Ulysses," by James Joyce. I got through it. I also would read aloud at night ten pages and then read three books of explanations ten pages each.

[@phoenixx00]

A recommendation list would be super helpful!

[@129jazza]

Did he ever do this??

[@heidi6281]

I am 53 but I remember liking these classics when I was young: Frankenstein The Count of Monte Cristo The Picture of Dorian Gray The Jungle To Kill a Mocking Bird Huckleberry Finn Slaughter House Five Little Women Grapes of Wrath The French Lieutenant's Woman Animal Farm All Quiet on the Western Front What I can recommend now is The First Law Trilogy, The Warlord Chronicles and The Empire Trilogy!!

[@stephenmorton8017]

i'd recommend 'Bleak House' and 'Don Quixote.'oh, and Robinson Crusoe.

[@conman77]

@@heidi6281Thanks!

[@ambreenali.]

Love the confession towards the end. Literature is for everyone and there's no shame in feeling differently from the masses after reading a classic. We all have our own perspective... our personal thoughts, beliefs and experiences can be seen in the way we perceive a great classic. I'm in my last semester of grad school and the arguments/debates never stop in my class. There's always room for debate when it comes to literature. Love the way you handled this topic.

[@dugebuwembo]

Literature like all arts is subjective, one man's diamond is anothers trash. It's always so interesting the way stories can split people on their impressions.

[@degreesbrix]

As a kid, I was fascinated by the Great Books of the Western World collection which sat atop my dad's bookshelf. One of the coolest features was a 10-year reading plan suggested by the editors which started with both Plato's Apology & Crito, ending years and years later with T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land. 15 year old me never got far into the collection, but I would daydream about what sort of person might be on the other end of the decade long journey.

[@GreatBooksProf]

What a great anecdote! Thanks for sharing that. These books really can be transformative.

[@Dino_Medici]

I appreciate that you look at literature as a form of philosophy

[@GreatBooksProf]

It’s the only way I know how!

[@MP-ye6tv]

You are so generous in sharing your knowledge, experience and insights, it’s deeply appreciated ❤️

[@dionysianapollomarx]

A recommendation list is awesome. Would love that video.

[@LuvLuke954]

The fact that you really spoke to the importance of EDITIONS is so important!!! So appreciated!! Even just like reading the Signet edition of Les Mis is excruciating compared to the Penguin edition and the translations are different as well. I hope you will explain how different editions also mean different translations which is also important.

[@Q-Ball.]

Thanks for the course syllabus tip. I’ve almost come to that conclusion by myself but you laying it out brings me the rest of the way.

[@GreatBooksProf]

Glad you found it useful. 👍

[@suzannericker8127]

I find this very validating. I love so many works of classic literture but there are some that are very popular and beloved that I can't stand. It's important to remember all classics are not Wuthering Heights and I can just read classics that I want to read, not ones I feel like I "should". Also getting back into deeper literature after months of sleepless nights it's a great idea to start with small wins. A recommended reading list would be great!

[@GreatBooksProf]

Great to hear from you, Suzanne! Sometimes even our best intentions to read can be thwarted when life's obligations get in the way. I'm going to try to work on that reading list.

[@Erikk_0]

Nice, right on time, I was considering asking.

[@catherinemelnyk]

What I'm looking to start, or perhaps the term is, revive an intellectual discussion group, much like Oxford profs like C.S. Lewis attended. Maybe it sounds like "an old boys club" in stuffy rooms with heavy drapes and overstuffed chairs, but that's EXACTY what I want to recreate! I long to discuss poets and prose authors amidst a Victorian environment. To me, ambiance is everything!

[@harrietparnell6318]

Thank you so much for making this channel! I’ve been looking for something exactly like this!!

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks for watching! I’m glad you found it worthwhile.

[@thejoeyd9207]

Very helpful and appreciated, especially the part about the language being difficult. What I tend to do is read the material, think about what I think is going on. Then I’ll go read a summary of sorts that explains it better, and see how close I was to what was being said.

[@MathWithHeather]

Sooo happy I’ve found your channel! Fabulous video!

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks! Welcome!

[@bienvenidoperez3427]

Never actually read classic books as a kid. It's not like it wasn't presented to me. It's just that I wasn't interested as a child. Now as a 33-year-old man have been turning to the classics. What a journey! Almost done with the count of Monte Cristo. I could do bicep curls with that book!

[@tomdixon7358]

Thank you for making this video.

[@1579list]

Reading about Lennie in Of Mice and Men sickened me, but Pride and Prejudice saved me. I appreciate your approach and suggestions.

[@resul8777]

Love this channel!

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks! I appreciate that!

[@DavideMazzetti]

I agree with you about the Oxford World Classics - the introductions and notes are really good and the bindings, at least for their Shakespeare series, have sewn bindings, so they're really durable.

[@TGoodfaith]

I am auditing a class at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in Barry's Bay, Ontario. I decided to take a class called, Restoration and 18th Century Satire. Very enjoyable and though I won't do the research paper or tests, I did do the satire poetry assignment and that was fun! We are just starting to read Cecilia by Frances Burney. My professor has had us read books and authors that influenced Jane Austen. Next September I am taking the Jane Austen class!

[@joelvick3243]

Very helpful and motivating. Thank you

[@RiaMankee-Sookram-lp9fx]

Yes! Interested in philosophy- but it can be overwhelming. Would love a checklist and recommended reading list please

[@Jcarp7607]

Yes, please!😊

[@darrengagliardi1540]

I would love to see a list of recommendations.

[@SirGandalfTheWise]

Hey Prof! Love your vlog. You motivate me to read more classic literature. :) Wanted to know: What is the version of 'The Aeneid' on the thumbnail of this video? I'm looking for a good translation to read. Any recommendations welcome, too.

[@betsymaher9489]

I would love a suggested reading list. I'm 67 years old and have read some but would like some guidance in reading more classics.

[@MP-ye6tv]

I grew up surrounded by and enjoying many classics because that is what my parents read. However I would your advice on where to start with modern literature, would be grateful for your guidance, can you recommend a site or do you have a list to hand? Thank you 🙏

[@gregorymckinney8600]

Start with Don Quixote, considered by readers and scholars to be the greatest novel ever written.

[@viniciusbilheri]

I would love to have a class with you professor.

[@bethjames8212]

Hi Dr Moore, thanks so much for the video. Great tip about googling the course syllabi! Just wondering if you've done a video on Frankenstein that I might have missed? Or can I request one? :)

[@GreatBooksProf]

Hi Beth, Glad you liked it! I haven’t done one on Frankenstein yet, but I should. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@bethjames8212]

@@GreatBooksProf That would be great, thank you!

[@kernel1kadafi]

Any help for me! I need to hand in dissertation on neoliberalism and its social harms it causes

[@GreatBooksProf]

Have you read Achille Mbembe? I made a video about his book Necropolitics. Might be relevant: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ponCgp9jba18nqs

[@ryanand154]

@@GreatBooksProf You dropped the ball on Adorno.