Shelf Life: How Books Have Changed the Destinies and Desires of Men and Nations

by George Grant, Karen B. Grant

Book by George Grant, Karen Grant

Genres: Books About Books, Education, Nonfiction

221 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

About the author

Dr. George Grant is an evangelical educator recognized by a Tennessee newspaper “Review Appeal” as the one who “lives and breathes” education.

Grant is known as a reformed scholar and evangelical activist who hopes to promote sound Christian doctrine, seeking honest answers to honest questions, developing true spirituality and experiencing the beauty of human relationships.

He founded Franklin Classical School, located in Franklin, Tennessee and the King’s Meadow Study Center, which seeks to help the modern church to develop a practical cultural expression of a Christian worldview in art, music, literature, politics, social research, community development and education.

Grant has also produced numerous writings of more than 60 works on the topics relating to theology, school curriculum, arts, fiction and politics.

Reviews

[Joseph Crampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books, and, if they were all like this, then I would say that I love books on books. Perhaps I am biased. Certainly I am less well-read than the authors, but I would love to read most of the books that the Grants recommend.
I enjoy making book lists, you see, but I have a hard time following them through to the end.
Dr. Grant convinced me that just because a book is hard to read or a little above my head or out of my ordinary range doesn't mean that it isn't worth my time. He convinced me (again) that there are beautiful ideas and minds and experiences that I haven't acquainted myself with yet. And he made me want to be more diligent in my pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful.
The little book is well worth your time

[Kaetlyn Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cozy little read that will inspire creating a culture of books in the home!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4.5 Stars . 7/7/19
Handy little coffee table type book full of outstanding bookish quotes, short vignettes about famous Bibliophiles and fantastic lists of great books to read.

A few of my favorite quotes:
"The brilliant men and women who wove the fabric of western civilization knew nothing of correlative curricula or programmed outcomes or software enhancements -- but they were well-read. And they were well-read in a way that we can only dream of today despite all our nifty gadgets, gimmicks, and bright ideas. .... They read. They read widely. They read seriously. They read omnivorously." p48

"Silent reading is a fairly modern innovation. As late as the eighteenth century, it was thought that the best way to truly appreciate the classics was to read them aloud---all the better to relish the beauty of the words, the music of the composition, and the architecture of the ideas." pg 60

"There is just something about a space set aside just for reading to entice us to plunge into a Rick y text, to focus all our attentions on a complex passage, or to ponder anew the wonder if evocative verse." p 65

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about books by Dr. George Grant. How could it NOT be AMAZING?

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cozy and happy read! I sped through most of this in an afternoon. This is an amazing mixture of short biographies, reading lists, literary quotes, practical ideas on making your house a reading friendly place and more! This is just one of those books that made me smile and want to start back at the beginning when I made it to the end.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

even better the 3rd time around

[Gemma Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with inspirational quotes and practical advise about the Reading life, this charming book is a delight! Ideal for anybody who loves books, reading and everything that comes with our wonderful lifestyle. Highly recommend.

[Abigail Lavelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an enjoyable little celebration of reading and great minds. This was ecouraging for creating a life and home filled with reading.

[Christopher Rush · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the grandiose subtitle, Mr. and Mrs. Grant's book is basically another collection of quotations from famous people (and a few not-so-famous contemporary people) about how great books are writing are. Nothing new there. The Grants add a few brief histories of some famous people are their love of books and their homes (such as Winston Churchill and Teddy Roosevelt), which are nice little tidbits, but they certainly aren't worth the price of the book. Toward the end, the Grants collect a few abridged lists from the turn of the century back when everyone and their alma mater were compiling "best of" lists of books. They're helpful, but since they only include selections (mostly the top 25 of others' top 100 or so), they're not as terribly helpful as a list of where the full lists could be sought out and examined in greater depth (as if one really has the time). It's a quaint little book about the quaintness of a life dedicated to reading. Those of us who desire such a life already desire a goodly-sized home with walls of bookcases (like Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady) and a nearby pond and garden, entailing, most likely, moving to the British countryside. We don't need the Grants' book to remind us about that, and it's most likely not going to convince anyone toward it who isn't already interested in such a life.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Know what this book is and what it isn't before you get your expectations too high. It is a celebration of books and authors and reading. It is a collection of essays and quotes. It is an inspirational book, the kind that does well on coffee tables with the occasional flip-through. And its best bonus, I think, is the collection of lists in the back that could've easily doubled my to-read list.

[Anne Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good collection of essays and quotes on books.