Introduction to Great Books - Second Series

by Great Books Foundation

The Leader's Guide includes tips on answering a prereading question, reading twice and taking notes, sharing participants' questions and notes, textual analysis, Shared Inquiry discussion, and post-discussion writing. Perfect for teachers or book group leaders. Companion edition (sold separately) to Introduction to Great Books, Second Series.

251 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 1992

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For several years, I have belonged to a book club that was organized by one of my mentors more than twenty-five years ago. Meeting weekly, we alternate between collections of poetry, short stories, drama, and essays. This collection included essays about many of the democratic principles of our country, which we have all read as young students; reading them at this time of my life, I was brave enough to question and disagree with the thinking of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. I perhaps enjoyed the short stories of William Faulkner, Anton Chekhov, Isak Dinesen, and Nikolai Gogol more, reminding me of the richness of their writing and its relevance to contemporary social and political issues.

[Chris Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not everyone takes the books their kids has to read in high school and enjoys them. But, I do. Some very interesting reading of classic authors throughout time. I liked the through-line they drew from Aristotle through Thomas Hobbes (with a brief side trip through Faulkner), through John Locke into the Declaration of Independence (cribbed mostly from Hobbes BTW), capping it off with the snooty de Tocqueville.
But, any collection that includes Gogol's "The Overcoat" is a winner.
I particularly like 'Sorrow Acre' by Isak Dinesen.
Study hard my friends.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading with OLLI Great Books discussion group.