Published in 1960 by the World Publishing Company, this original edition of Clifton Fadiman's foundational guide introduces contemporary readers to exactly one hundred essential works of the Western literary canon. Rejecting stiff academic jargon, the text comprises short, accessible essays that examine major authors from Homer and Plato to William Faulkner and George Orwell, explaining why their specific insights remain crucial to modern human thought. Fadiman provides historical context for each masterpiece and outlines a structured, self-guided reading schedule meant to be tackled over several decades. It functions as a precise cultural time capsule of mid-century American self-education efforts, offering a clear, undiluted roadmap for anyone looking to build a disciplined lifelong learning habit.
