read ye out of the best books
TRANSCRIPT
Read
Ye
Out
of
the
Best
Books
Read Ye Out of the Best Books
The Columbia SC Temple Collection
The First Presidency Gift Collection
The Deseret Book Company Gift Collection
Zion’s Best 25 Books Collection
The Missionary/Meetinghouse Libraries Collection
Harvard Classics & Fiction
The Easton Press Best 100 Collection
READ YE OUT OF THE BEST BOOKS
We are commanded to read from the “best books.” But which of all those published are the best? Here are
seven collections. The first five are related in some manner to the Gospel of Jesus Christ or His Church. The
last two are of a secular nature. These seven collections will undoubtedly be of some assistance to those
trying to add to their personal library.
The Temple CollectionThese books were presented to the Columbia South Carolina Temple by the Church Temple Committee.
They form the nucleus of the Temple Library. It may be assumed they were approved by the Brethren and
the Correlation Committee. In no particular order, they are:
The First Presidency Christmas Gift CollectionSince 1981, the First Presidency has made a practice of giving a book to Church employees annually as a
Christmas gift. Most of these books are limited editions, leather bound, gold or silver cover script, gilt or
silver edged, with a ribbon book mark, and often with silken end sheets. It is likely these are personally
selected by the Prophet and almost certainly approved by the correlation committee.
The Deseret Book Company Christmas Gift CollectionSince 1983, the Deseret Book Company has made a practice of giving a book to its employees
annually as a Christmas gift. These books usually are numbered limited editions, leather bound, gold or
silver cover script, gilt or silver edged, with a ribbon book mark, and often with silken end sheets. While
perhaps not as doctrinally pure as those given by the First Presidency, these are rarer and are probably
considered more collectible. Many are authored by Apostles.
Zion's Best 25 LDS BooksOn his “Zion’s Best” web site ( www.zionsbest.com ), John W. Redelfs gives the following
introduction:
"Read the sermons of the latter-day Presidents of the Church." That is the advice that Elder Hartman
Rector, Jr. gave me in 1968 when I was taking an Institute class from him at the University of Utah. I did,
and it has changed my life.
I asked him, "After the Standard Works and the works of Talmage, what are the “best books” that
we are commanded to study in the Doctrine and Covenants?" (D&C 88:118) This is what he told me. These
are those fifteen books, and ten others that I consider the "best books" after the Standard Works. [The
commentary after each book in this section is Brother Redelfs’.]
The Missionary/Meetinghouse LibrariesOver the years, different sets of books have comprised the “Missionary Library.” And they have had
varying degrees of imprimatur. At times, the listing included those mandated to be read as part of a self
taught instruction course. At other times the listing was merely permissive rather than mandatory. I have
included here all those I have identified and the time period they were listed. The reader will note that some
lasted through the years while others are no longer readily recognized and might be very difficult to locate.
Harvard Classics & Fiction The Harvard Classics is a 51-volume anthology of classic works from world literature, compiled and edited
by Harvard University president Charles W. Eliot and first published in 1909. Eliot had stated in speeches
that the elements of a liberal education could be obtained by spending 15 minutes a day reading from a
collection of books that could fit on a five-foot shelf. The publisher P. F. Collier and Son saw an opportunity
and challenged Eliot to make good on this statement by selecting an appropriate collection of works, and
the Harvard Classics was the result. Then, because his selection was thought to be lacking in fictional works,
another twenty selections were added.
The Easton Press Greatest 100 CollectionEaston Press is one of many publishers that have created a list of the 100 greatest books ever written. In the
case of Easton Press, however, their 100 Greatest Books Ever Written series are all gorgeously leather bound
books. Every book in this series is bound in genuine leather, and the books also include 22k gold accents
on the cover as well as gilt page edges and a sewn in bookmark.
Many other sources have created lists of the 100 greatest books, including Time magazine. While the books
in each list vary from source to source, there are certain books that seem to consistently make it onto every
list — well-known classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, and Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn are all examples of such books.
The Easton Press series is definitely one of the definitive collector’s editions, however, with their incredibly
high quality leather bound books.
THE TEMPLE COLLECTION
These books were presented to the Columbia South Carolina Temple by the Church Temple Committee.
They form the nucleus of the Temple Library. It may be assumed they were approved by the Brethren and
the Correlation Committee. In no particular order, they are:
G 1. The Standard Works Includes the Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
G 2. The Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer. Short. Easily readable, yet explores the Temple in some depth.
G 3. Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie. It is interesting that the Church would select this book for the Temple Libraries if it contains only the opinion of ElderMcConkie as some have argued.
G 4. History of the Church by Joseph Smith. This seven volume work is considered primary source material for Church historians.
G 5. Doctrines of Salvation by Joseph Fielding Smith. This three volume set was written by the man whom many consider the greatest theologian the Church has ever produced.
G 6. A Marvelous Work and a Wonder by LeGrand Richards. This wonderful book presents Gospel truths in an easily understood format.
G 7. Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. Written by an Apostle of the Lord under the direction of the First Presidency in an upper room in the Salt Lake Temple.The language is difficult and the doctrines are deep. Unparalleled!
G 8. The Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage. Doctor Talmage goes beyond the life of Christ in an explication of Gospel principles using the Articles of Faith fromthe Pearl of Great Price as a framework.
G 9. Discourses of Brigham Young compiled and edited by John A. Widtsoe. Pure raw Gospel principles hammered home without fancy language or buffering text. Difficult to read but extremelyworthwhile.
G10. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith compiled and edited by Joseph F. Smith
Beyond the standard works, possibly the single most important book written in the latter-days.
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY CHRISTMAS GIFT COLLECTION
Since 1981, the First Presidency has made a practice of giving a book to Church employees annually
as a Christmas gift. Most of these books are limited editions, leather bound, gold or silver cover script, gilt
or silver edged, with a ribbon book mark, and often with silken end sheets. It is likely these are personally
selected by the prophet and almost certainly approved by the correlation committee.
G 1981 Triple Combination
The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price in a deluxe soft brown leather-bound
edition.
G 1982 Holy Bible
The Old and New Testaments in a deluxe soft brown leather-bound edition
G 1983 Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage
Written by an Apostle of the Lord under the direction of the First Presidency in an upper room in the Salt Lake Temple.
The language is difficult and the doctrines are deep. Unparalleled! Deluxe soft brown leather-bound edition
G 1984 Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage
Doctor Talmage goes beyond the life of Christ in an explication of Gospel principles using the Articles of Faith from
the Pearl of Great Price as a framework. Deluxe soft brown leather-bound edition
G 1985 Hymnal
The (then) new Hymnal of the Church of Jesus Crist of Latter-day Saints in a hard bound blue leather edition
G 1986 Booklet of Quotes copyrighted by the Corporation of the First Presidency
Perhaps the rarest of all the First Presidency Christmas gifts, this is not leather-bound but rather a trade-bound paperback.
G 1987 Pocket Hymnal
The Hymnal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a pocket sized edition. Deluxe soft brown leather-bound
edition.
G 1988 Quadruple Combination
The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price in a small deluxe soft
brown leather-bound edition.
G 1989 Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet, by George Q. Cannon
A biography of the Prophet by an Apostle. This seems to be the first of the limited edition printings used by the first
presidency. Red leather-bound edition.
G 1990 Gospel Doctrine by Joseph F. Smith
Joseph F. Smith was the son of Hyrum Smith, the Prophet Joseph's brother. He was the sixth President of the Church and
the father of Joseph Fielding Smith, the tenth President of the Church. This is the standard compilation of his sermons.
Most of the year 2000 Relief Society and Melchizedek Priesthood manual was taken from this book. Highly
recommended. Red leather-bound edition.
G 1991 Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith compiled and edited by Joseph F. Smith. Beyond the
standard works, possibly the single most important book written in the latter-days. Gray leather-bound edition.
G 1992 The Discourses of Brigham Young edited by John A. Widtsoe
Our Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society lesson manual for 1998-99 was taken from this book. It is the standard
compilation of Brigham Young's sermons. Did you know that Adam and Eve were born of woman, or that all life was
transplanted here from another planet? President Young teaches these things here. Without a doubt, it is one of the "best
books." Black leather-bound edition.
G 1993 Gospel Ideals by David O. McKay
President McKay was the ninth President of the Church. This is the standard collection of his sermons, definitely a "best
book." Teal leather-bound edition.
G 1994 Gospel Standards by Heber J. Grant
Although this is out-of-print, a fine copy may usually be found through Bibliofind. Heber J. Grant was our seventh
President of the Church, and these are his sermons. Maroon leather-bound edition.
G 1995 Stand Ye in Holy Places by Harold B. Lee
Selected Sermons and writings of President Harold B. Lee; first edition 1975. The Melchizedek Priesthood/ Relief
Society lessons for 2002 are taken from this book. Light blue leather-bound edition.
G 1996 Gospel Kingdom by John Taylor
This is the standard compilation of sermons by the third President of the Church, the man who was badly wounded when
the Prophet Joseph was killed at Carthage jail. Long out of print, a hard cover edition is available at Deseret Book. Black
leather-bound edition.
G 1997 The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff compiled by G. Homer Durham
This is the standard compilation of the sermons of Wilford Woodruff, the fourth President of the Church. Brown leather-
bound edition.
G1998 The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball
Some have suggested this is the book most likely to be included in the scriptural canon in some future dispensation.
While other works concentrate on the doctrines, this one focuses on the hard core practices required for living our faith.
It is the ultimate explanation of the repentance process. Dark Green leather-bound edition.
G 1999 Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow by Eliza R. Snow
The Family History of our fifth President written by his sister, an eyewitness to the early days of the Restoration. Brown
leather-bound edition.
G 2000 The Teachings of George Albert Smith edited by Robert & Susan McIntosh
These are the sermons of George Albert Smith, the eighth President of the Church. Dark blue leather-bound edition.
G 2001 Selections from Doctrines of Salvation
A condensation of President Joseph Fielding Smith’s monumental three volume work. Gray leather-bound edition.
G 2002 Teachings of Howard W. Hunter
These are the Teachings of President Howard W. Hunter, fourteenth President of the Church. Turquoise Blue leather
bound.
G 2003 Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson
These is a selection from the writings of President Ezra Taft Benson. Leather Bound, Gilt edge pages. So much for those
who say the Brethren are running away from President Benson.
G 2004 Discourses of Gordon B. Hinckley (Vol. 1)
This is a collection of 78 discourses of the first 5 years (1995-1999) as President of the Church. Navy Blue Leather
Cover, Blindstamped image on cover, Gilt edged pages, Ribbon
G 2005 Discourses of Gordon B. Hinckley, (Vol. 2)
This is a collection of discourses of the succeeding years (2000-2004) as President of the Church. Navy Blue Leather
Cover, Blindstamped image on cover, Gilt edged pages, Ribbon
G 2006 Triple Combination
Book of Mormon; Doctrine and Covenants; Pearl of Great Price, Leather Bound.
G 2007 Holy Bible
Old and new Testaments, Concordance Gazetteer, Bible Atlas, Leather Bound.
G 2008 LDS Hymn Book
G 2009 Jesus the Christ-Talmadge
1973 Edition; A classic, described elsewhere in these collections. It’s on everybody’s list. Maroon Invecchiato Leather
cover with Gold Leaf Tipped Gild Pages. The covers are made from vegetable-tanned leather which is known for its scent, its
brilliant nuances of color, and its natural veins and marks.
G 2010 Articles of Faith-Talmage
Matches the 2009 gift; A classic, described elsewhere in these collections. It’s on everybody’s list. Invecchiato Leather
cover with Gold Leaf Tipped Gild Pages. The covers are made from vegetable-tanned leather which is known for its scent, its
brilliant nuances of color, and its natural veins and marks.
G 2011 Pathways to Perfection-Monson
Penned by the living prophet; a leather-bound limited edition. The color is a rich brown leather with blindstamped cover,
ribbon page mark, and gold leaf pages
G 2012 Teachings of Lorenzo Snow
Teachings of the fourth President of the Church. Bound in a deep, chocolate leather, with gold trim.
G 2013 The House of the Lord-Talmadge
Authored by the incomparable James E. Talmage,. a study of holy sanctuaries, ancient and modern.
Profound and informative discussions on the need for temples and modern temple ordinances, as well as
historical data on temples constructed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brown leather
with an embossed Salt Lake Temple on the cover. Raised ridges on the spine; printed on the highest quality
acid-free paper, gilded on every edge, with a silk bookmark sewn in.
THE DESERET BOOK COMPANY CHRISTMAS GIFT COLLECTION
Since 1983, the Deseret Book Company has made a practice of giving a book to its employees
annually as a Christmas gift. These books usually are numbered limited editions, leather bound, gold or
silver cover script, gilt or silver edged, with a ribbon book mark, and often with silken end sheets. While
perhaps not as doctrinally pure as those given by the First Presidency, these are rarer and are probably
considered more collectible. Many are authored by Apostles.
Books in series
G 1. Promised Messiah (1983), Bruce R. McConkie
First in the series of books by Elder McConkie dealing with Christ. The greatest works on Christ since James E.
Talmage’s Jesus the Christ. Deals with the pre-existent Christ, Jehovah, and prophecies foretelling the advent of the
Savior.. Blue Leather Bound. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Though leather bound, These are not numbered editions.
G 2. Mortal Messiah, Book 1 (1984) Bruce R. McConkie
Second in the Messiah Series. Deals with Christ in this life. Dark Brown Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Though
leather bound, These are not numbered editions.
G 3. Mortal Messiah, Book 2 (1985), Bruce R. McConkie
Third in the Messiah Series. Deals with Christ in this life. Dark Brown Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Though
leather bound, These are not numbered editions. Brown Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Though leather bound, These are
not numbered editions.
G 4. Mortal Messiah, Book 3 (1986), Bruce R. McConkie
Fourth in the Messiah Series. Deals with Christ in this life. Brown Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Though leather
bound, These are not numbered editions.
G 5. Mortal Messiah, Book 4 (1987), Bruce R. McConkie
Fifth in the Messiah Series. Deals with Christ in this life. Dark Brown Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Though
leather bound, These are not numbered editions.
G 6. Millenial Messiah (1988), Bruce R. McConkie
Sixth and last in the Messiah Series. Deals with the resurrected Christ in the Millennium. Navy Blue Leather. Gilt edge,
Gold Foil Stamped. Though leather bound, These are not numbered editions.
G 7. Papers of Joseph Smith, Vol. 1 (1989) Compiled and edited by Dean C. Jessee
Autobiographical and Historical Writings. Navy Blue Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 553.
G 8. Broken Heart (1990), Bruce Hafen
Applying the Atonement to Life's Experiences. Maroon Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of
300
G 9. Ezra Taft Benson: A Biography (1991) Sheri L. Dew
The life of our thirteenth Prophet. Burgundy Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 308
G 10. Gospel Truth (1992) George Q. Cannon
Navy Blue Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 232
G 11. Papers of Joseph Smith, Vol. 2 (1993) Compiled and edited by Dean C. Jessee
The Prophet's Journal: 1832-1842.; Navy Blue Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 500 There
are also about 20 unnumbered copies in existance.
G 12 Howard W. Hunter (1994) Eleanor Knowles.
The only biography of Howard W. Hunter, fourteenth President of the Church. Navy Blue Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil
Stamped. Numbered edition of 400
G 13. Following Christ (1995) Stephen E. Robinson
A matched set with number 14. Maroon Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 600.
G 14. Believing Christ (1995) Stephen E. Robinson
A matched set with number 13. Maroon Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 600.
G 15. Go Forward With Faith (1996), Sheri L. Dew
The Biography of President Gordon B. Hinckley. Dark Green Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition
of 700.
G 16. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), Gordon B. Hinckley
Writings and Discourses of the Living Prophet. Navy Blue Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition
of 700.
G 17. Christ and the New Covenant (1998), Jeffrey R. Holland
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shares his apostolic witness of the central figure of the Book of Mormon-the Lord Jesus Christ.
Black Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 700. There are also four unnumbered copies existing
with designated bookplates.
G 18. In the Strength of the Lord (1999), James P. Bell
The Life and Teachings of President James E. Faust. Black Leather. Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition
of 700. 24 are in circulation that were unnumbered with designated bookplates.
G 19. Standing for Something (2000), Gordon B. Hinckley
10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes. Burgundy Leather; Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped.
Numbered edition of 700.
G 20. Promise of Discipleship (2001), Neal A. Maxwell
Elder Maxwell's latest book. is a summing-up of his favorite themes: warnings about the final days, the divine plan for
each of our lives, adversity, and the prophet Joseph Smith. Burgundy Leather; Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered
edition of 750.
G 21. With Full Purpose of Heart (2002), Dallin H. Oaks
A collection of many of Elder Oaks’ General Conference and BYU Devotional addresses. Dark Brown Leather; Gilt
edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 750. There are also six unnumbered copies existing with designated
bookplates.
G 22. Trusting Jesus (2003), Jeffrey R. Holland
This is a collection of some of Elder Holland's most memorable and powerful talks. Dark Green Leather; Gilt edge, Gold
Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 740. There are also nine unnumbered copies existing with designated bookplates.
G 23. Book of Mormon (Doubleday Edition) (2004)
This book was released in the Deseret Book Limited Leather-Bound Edition for Christmas 2004 in cooperation with The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Doubleday. Navy Blue Leather; Gilt edge, Gold Foil Stamped. There
was some numbering confusion when these were issued. The actual numbers in the limited series include 1-828, 837,
& 850.
G 24. Covenant Hearts: Marriage and the Joy of Human Love (2005), Bruce C. Hafen
Many books claim to offer the secrets of a good marriage, but this book offers the absolute truth. Burgundy Leather; Gilt
edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 700.
G 25. One Bright Shining Hope (2006) , Gordon B. Hinckley
President Hinckley's words of encouragement and counsel to women are paired with beautiful visual images in this lovely
gift book. Gray Leather; Silver edge, Silver Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 750.
G 26. Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy (2007) , Richard G. Scott
In his familiar, warm style, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve outlines the truths we need to understand
and embrace to live a life of peace, happiness, and joy. He covers such important topics as developing a godly character, receiving
and responding to heavenly guidance, repenting of our sins, loving others, and learning to cope with what seems unfair. Navy Blue
Leather; Silver edge, Silver Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 825, plus 41 unnumbered copies with slight blemishes.
G 27. Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt (2008) , Parley P. Pratt
The classic telling of the life story of this beloved and hated apostle of the Lord. Red Leather; Silver edge, Silver Foil
Stamped. Numbered edition of 250 (Probably a misprint; 750 is more likely).
G 28. Hope in Our Hearts (2009) , Russell M. Nelson
Elder Nelson brings his remarkable grasp of the gospel and his unique medical training to bear in eighteen outstanding
messages that focus on family and relationships, Church doctrine, and personal growth. Light Brown Leather; Gold edge, Gold
Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 750.
G 29. Joseph Smith Papers, Revelations and Translations, Vol.1 (2010) , Joseph Smith, Jr.
Presents scores of Joseph Smith’s revelations, dated from 1828 to 1834, that became the basis for the canonized books
of revelations: the Book of Commandments (1833) and the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (1835). As a Facsimile
Edition this volume is approximately 9.5 × 12.5 inches and weighs approximately 8 pounds with full color printed pages. Navy
Blue Leather; Gold edge, Gold Foil Stamped. Numbered edition of 900.
ZION'S BEST 25 LDS BOOKS
On his “Zion’s Best” web site ( www.zionsbest.com ), John W. Redelfs gives the following introduction:
"Read the sermons of the latter-day Presidents of the Church." That is the advice that Elder Hartman Rector, Jr. gave
me in 1968 when I was taking an Institute class from him at the University of Utah. I did, and it has changed my life.
I asked him, "After the Standard Works and the works of Talmage, what are the “best books” that we are commanded
to study in the Doctrine and Covenants?" (D&C 88:118) This is what he told me. These are those fifteen books, and ten others
that I consider the "best books" after the Standard Works. [The commentary after each book in this section is Brother Redelfs’.]
G 1. The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Surely the most eye opening book I have ever read after the Standard Works. The King Follett Discourse is here.
It is the original source for the teaching made famous by President Lorenzo Snow. He said, "As man is, God once
was; as God is, man may become." These are the sermons of the Prophet Joseph which add to our understanding
of scripture.
G 2. The Discourses of Brigham Young
Our Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society lesson manual for 1998-99 was taken from this book. It is the
standard compilation of Brigham Young's sermons. It was edited by John A Widtsoe, a member of the Twelve. Did
you know that Adam and Eve were born of woman, or that all life was transplanted here from another planet?
President Young teaches these things here. Without a doubt, it is one of the "best books."
G 3. Gospel Kingdom by John Taylor
This is the standard compilation of sermons by the third President of the Church, the man who was badly wounded
when the Prophet Joseph was killed at Carthage jail. Long out of print, it is available at Deseret Book.
G 4. The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff
This is the standard compilation of the sermons of Wilford Woodruff, the fourth President of the Church.
G 5. The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow
These are the sermons of the fifth President of the Church, Lorenzo Snow.
G 6. Gospel Doctrine by Joseph F. Smith
Joseph F. Smith was the son of Hyrum Smith, the Prophet Joseph's brother. He was the sixth President of the
Church and the father of Joseph Fielding Smith, the tenth President of the Church. This is the standard compilation
of his sermons. Most of our current Relief Society and Melchizedek Priesthood manual was taken from this book.
Highly recommended.
G 7. Gospel Standards by Heber J. Grant
Although this is out-of-print, a fine copy may usually be found through Bibliofind. Heber J. Grant was our seventh
President of the Church, and these are his sermons.
G 8. The Teachings of George Albert Smith
These are the sermons of George Albert Smith, the eighth President of the Church.
G 9. Gospel Ideals by David O. McKay
President McKay was the ninth President of the Church. This is the standard collection of his sermons, definitely
a "best book."
G10. Doctrines of Salvation by Joseph Fielding Smith
This is the best source of doctrine after The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, in my opinion. There are three
volumes of sermons in this set. It was compiled by Bruce R. McConkie, his son-in-law.
G11. The Teachings of Harold B. Lee
These are President Harold B. Lee's sermons. They are a wonderful addition to the testimonies of these other great
prophets.
G12. The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball
This is the standard compilation of President Kimball's sermons.
G13. The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson
In addition to his gospel doctrine, this compilation from the sermons of Ezra Taft Benson includes many of his
political teachings. Because he served as a member of the President Eisenhower's cabinet for eight years while also
a member of the Twelve he knew more about politics than any other Church President. As the "father" of my
personal political philosophy, I would have put this book on the list even if he had not been a President of the
Church.
G14. The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter
This is the standard compilation of the sermons of the fourteenth President of the Church, Howard Hunter. Serving
only nine months, the shortest administration of any President, his sermons are filled with the love of Christ and
his moving testimony.
G15. The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley
What could be more surely a "best book" than the compiled sermons of the living Prophet? What evidence is there
in his sermons that he studied those of his predecessors in the office of President? What topics of concern does he
share with them? What special interests does he reveal? Surely one of the best ways we can get to know the inspired
mind of the current President of the Church is to read what he has preached.
G16. The Words of Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook
No longer in print, rare, and hard-to-find, this book is a respected, scholarly editing of Joseph Smith's sermons
during the Nauvoo period as recorded in the diaries, journals and letters of those who were actually present. It is
fascinating to learn that some of what Joseph Smith taught has not survived, that is, it is no longer emphasized by
the current leadership. For instance, Joseph Smith had some interesting things to say about the restoration of animal
sacrifice in this dispensation. He also taught that there was a Patriarchal Priesthood between the Aaronic Priesthood
and the Melchizedek Priesthood. If you can find a nice copy of this book, originally published by BYU, it will
probably cost over a hundred dollars inasmuch as it has collector's value. Occasionally copies become available
at Bibliofind and at Eborn Books.
G17. Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage
Written by an apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve, commissioned by the First Presidency, and written entirely in
the Salt Lake City temple, this is undoubtedly the best and most important book ever written on the life of Jesus
Christ excepting only the New Testament and the Book of Mormon.
G18. The Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage
Another title by Elder Talmage, this is one of the "best books" on Mormon doctrine and belief. It is a systematic
study of the Thirteen Articles of Faith rather than a compilation of sermons.
G19. The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball
This is my nomination for the book most likely to be included in the scriptural canon in some future dispensation.
While other works concentrate on the doctrines, this one focuses on the hard core practices required for living our
faith. It is the ultimate explanation of the repentance process.
G20. A Witness and a Warning by Ezra Taft Benson
President Benson is remembered for his emphasis on the Book of Mormon. This book, which is devoted entirely
to that subject, is different from most others in that it focuses not only on the "testifying" aspects of..the book, but
also the "warning" aspects. The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ, but it also warns against the enemies of Christ.
Most books on the Book of Mormon focus primarily on the former while largely neglecting the latter mission of
the book.
G21. Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie
A controversial book because of the unpopular "personal opinions" included, it belongs right up near the top of the
rankings. Some of it is not "official" Church doctrine but "personal opinion," which are nearly all true regardless.
Highly recommended.
G22. Gospel Principles
This is the standard introduction to the Church for our new members. It is currently used in the Gospel Essentials
class. This is "official" doctrine as the Church itself teaches it.
G23. A Marvelous Work and a Wonder by LeGrand Richards
Covering much of the same ground as The Articles of Faith by James Talmage, this is easier to read. For many
years it was used in the Gospel Essentials class. It is on the short list of approved titles for missionaries. Definitely
one of the "best books."
G24. The Story of the Latter-day Saints by James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard
Some years ago I took an informal survey of LDS scholars who are online. I wanted to learn which of all the one
volume histories of the Church was most highly respected by scholars. I learned that this title was highly regarded
not only by the so-called "intellectuals" who are critical of the Brethren. It is also highly regarded by those who are
loyal and devoted to the Brethren, the Iron Rods.
G25. Approaching Zion by Hugh Nibley
Great numbers of well read and educated Mormons admire the writings of Hugh Nibley, a man who is at once
erudite and completely faithful. Of those who have widely read Nibley, many and perhaps most of them consider
this his best book. It is certainly one of the most thought provoking.
THE MISSIONARY/MEETINGHOUSE LIBRARIES
Over the years, different sets of books have comprised the “Missionary Library.” And they have had varying degrees of
imprimatur. At times, the listing included those mandated to be read as part of a self taught instruction course. At other times the
listing was merely permissive rather than mandatory. I have included here all those I have identified and the time period they were
listed. The reader will note that some lasted through the years while others are no longer readily recognized and might be very
difficult to locate.
1912 Listing; Mandated by President Joseph F. Smith
G 1. A Young Folks’ History of the Church by Nephi Anderson
G 2. The Gospel and Man’s Relation to Diety by Brigham H. Roberts of the Seventy
G 3. Mormon Doctrine by President Charles W. Penrose, Later Counselor to Heber J. Grant
This is not the book of the same title written by Bruce R. McConkie. President Penrose’s work seems to be available from
time to time on Ebay and Deseret Book Company’s Auction site. I leave it to the reader to decide whether he wants an early
edition which might have greater value as a collectible or a later edition which might reflect the author’s thoughts later in life.
G 4. The Articles of Faith by Elder James E. Talmage of the Twelve
This book has been in continual publication since its original edition and is widely available in both hardback an
paperback editions. Truly a classic.
G 5. Ecclesiastical History by Brigham H. Roberts of the Seventy
The 1915 listing retained all of the above, and added:
G 6. Jesus the Christ by Elder James E. Talmage of the twelve
This work has remained on virtually every listing since its original publication. A classic by any measure. Readily
available in a variety of publications.
The 1919 listing retained all of the above, and added:
G 7. Vitality of Mormonism by James E. Talmage of the Twelve
First published in 1919, this collection of essays by James E, Talmage explores the key principles and doctrines of the
Gospel in a series of one hundred and four concise treatises. Recently reprinted as a trade paperback and fairly available.
In 1966 Libraries were established in each meetinghouse. Mandated
works included:
G 1. The Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage of the Twelve
G 2. Documentary History of the Church (Seven Volumes)
G 3. Essentials in Church History
G 4. Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage of the Twelve
In 1976 the authorized library was updated to include the following
titles.
G 1. A Marvelous Work and a Wonder by LeGrand Richards of the Twelve
G 2. The Miracle of Forgiveness by President Spencer W. Kimball
G 3. Gospel Doctrine
G 4. Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage of the Twelve
G 5. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith compiled and edited by President Joseph F. Smith
G 6. Doctrines of Salvation (3 volumes) by Joseph F. Smith, then of the Twelve
The Missionary Library was again updated in 1988. Included were:
G 1. Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage of the Twelve
G 2. Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage of the Twelve
G 3. Truth Restored
G 4. Gospel Principles
G 5. A Marvelous Work and a Wonder by LeGrand Richards of the Twelve
G 6. Our Search for Happiness by M. Russell Ballard of the Twelve
The Current Listing for both Missionaries and Meetinghouse
Libraries includes:
G 1. Preach My Gospel
G 2. Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage of the Twelve
G 3. Our Heritage
G 4. Our Search for Happiness by M. Russell Ballard of the Twelve
G 5. True to the Faith
HARVARD CLASSICS
The Harvard Classics is a 51-volume anthology of classic works from world literature, compiled and edited
by Harvard University president Charles W. Eliot and first published in 1909. Eliot had stated in speeches
that the elements of a liberal education could be obtained by spending 15 minutes a day reading from a
collection of books that could fit on a five-foot shelf. The publisher P. F. Collier and Son saw an opportunity
and challenged Eliot to make good on this statement by selecting an appropriate collection of works, and
the Harvard Classics was the result.
G Vol. 1: FRANKLIN, WOOLMAN, PENN
His Autobiography, by Benjamin FranklinThe Journal of John Woolman, by John Woolman (1774 and subsequent editions)Fruits of Solitude, by William Penn
G Vol. 2. PLATO, EPICTETUS, MARCUS AURELIUS
The Apology, Phaedo, and Crito, by PlatoThe Golden Sayings, by EpictetusThe Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius
G Vol. 3. BACON, MILTON'S PROSE, THOS. BROWNE
Essays, Civil and Moral, and New Atlantis, by Francis BaconAreopagitica and Tractate of Education, by John MiltonReligio Medici, by Sir Thomas Browne
G Vol. 4. COMPLETE POEMS IN ENGLISH, MILTON
Complete poems written in English, by John Milton
G Vol. 5. ESSAYS AND ENGLISH TRAITS, EMERSON
Essays and English Traits, by Ralph Waldo Emerson
G Vol. 6. POEMS AND SONGS, BURNS
Poems and songs, by Robert Burns
G Vol. 7. CONFESSIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE, IMITATIONS OF CHRIST
The Confessions, by Saint AugustineThe Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis
G Vol. 8. NINE GREEK DRAMAS
Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Furies, and Prometheus Bound, by AeschylusOedipus the King and Antigone, by SophoclesHippolytus and The Bacchae, by EuripidesThe Frogs, by Aristophanes
G Vol. 9. LETTERS AND TREATISES OF CICERO AND PLINY
On Friendship, On Old Age, and letters, by CiceroLetters, by Pliny the Younger
G Vol. 10. WEALTH OF NATIONS, ADAM SMITH
The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith
G Vol. 11. ORIGIN OF SPECIES, DARWIN
The Origin of Species, by Charles Darwin
G Vol. 12. PLUTARCH'S LIVES
Lives, by Plutarch
G Vol. 13. AENEID, VIRGIL
Aeneid, by Virgil
G Vol. 14. DON QUIXOTE, Part 1 only, CERVANTES
Don Quixote, part 1, by Cervantes
G Vol. 15. PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, DONNE & HERBERT, BUNYAN, WALTON
The Pilgrim's Progress, by John BunyanThe Lives of Donne and Herbert, by Izaak Walton
G Vol. 16. THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS
Stories from the Thousand and One Nights
G Vol. 17. FOLKLORE AND FABLE, AESOP, GRIMM, ANDERSON
Fables, by AesopChildren's and Household Tales, by Jacob and Wilhelm GrimmTales, by Hans Christian Andersen
G Vol. 18. MODERN ENGLISH DRAMA
All for Love, by John DrydenThe School for Scandal, by Richard Brinsley SheridanShe Stoops to Conquer, by Oliver GoldsmithThe Cenci, by Percy Bysshe ShelleyA Blot in the 'Scutcheon, by Robert BrowningManfred, by Lord Byron
G Vol. 19. FAUST, EGMONT, ETC. DOCTOR FAUSTUS, GOETHE, MARLOWE
Faust, part 1, Egmont, and Hermann and Dorothea, by Johann Wolfgang von GoetheDr. Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe
G Vol. 20. THE DIVINE COMEDY, DANTE
The Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri
G Vol. 21. I PROMESSI SPOSI
I Promessi Sposi, by Alessandro Manzoni
G Vol. 22. THE ODYSSEY, HOMER
The Odyssey, by Homer
G Vol. 23. TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST, DANA
Two Years Before the Mast, by Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
G Vol. 24. ON THE SUBLIME, FRENCH REVOLUTION, ETC., BURKE
On Taste, On the Sublime and Beautiful, Reflections on the French Revolution, andA Letter to a Noble Lord, by Edmund Burke
G Vol. 25. AUTOBIOGRAPHY, ETC., ESSAYS AND ADDRESSES, J.S. MILL, T.
CARLYLEAutobiography and On Liberty, by John Stuart MillCharacteristics, Inaugural Address at Edinburgh, and Sir Walter Scott, by Thomas
Carlyle
G Vol. 26. CONTINENTAL DRAMA
Life is a Dream, by Pedro Calderón de la BarcaPolyeucte, by Pierre CorneillePhèdre, by Jean RacineTartuffe, by MolièreMinna von Barnhelm, by Gotthold Ephraim LessingWilliam Tell, by Friedrich von Schiller
G Vol. 27. ENGLISH ESSAYS: SIDNEY TO MACAULAY
G Vol. 28. ESSAYS: ENGLISH AND AMERICAN
G Vol. 29. VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE, DARWIN
The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin
G Vol. 30. FARADAY, HELMHOLTZ, KELVIN, NEWCOMB, ETC
The Forces of Matter and The Chemical History of a Candle, by Michael FaradayOn the Conservation of Force and Ice and Glaciers, by Hermann von HelmholtzThe Wave Theory of Light and The Tides, by Lord KelvinThe Extent of the Universe, by Simon NewcombGeographical Evolution, by Sir Archibald Geikie
G Vol. 31. AUTOBIOGRAPHY, BENVENUTO CELLINI
The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini
G Vol. 32. LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL ESSAYS
Essays, by Michel Eyquem de MontaigneMontaigne and What is a Classic?, by Charles Augustin Sainte-BeuveThe Poetry of the Celtic Races, by Ernest RenanThe Education of the Human Race, by Gotthold Ephraim LessingLetters upon the Aesthetic Education of Man, by Friedrich von SchillerFundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals, by Immanuel KantByron and Goethe, by Giuseppe Mazzini
G Vol. 33. VOYAGES AND TRAVELS
An account of Egypt from The Histories, by HerodotusGermany, by TacitusSir Francis Drake Revived, by Philip NicholsSir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the World, by Francis PrettyDrake's Great Armada, by Captain Walter BiggesSir Humphrey Gilbert's Voyage to Newfoundland, by Edward HaiesThe Discovery of Guiana, by Sir Walter Raleigh
G Vol. 34. FRENCH AND ENGLISH PHILOSOPHERS, DESCARTES, VOLTAIRE,
ROUSSEAU, HOBBESDiscourse on Method, by René DescartesLetters on the English, by VoltaireOn the Inequality among Mankind and Profession of Faith of a Savoyard Vicar, by
Jean Jacques RousseauOf Man, Being the First Part of Leviathan, by Thomas Hobbes
G Vol. 35. CHRONICLE AND ROMANCE, FROISSART, MALORY, HOLINSHEAD
Chronicles, by Jean FroissartThe Holy Grail, by Sir Thomas MaloryA Description of Elizabethan England, by William Harrison
G Vol. 36. MACHIAVELLI, MORE, LUTHER
The Prince, by Niccolò MachiavelliThe Life of Sir Thomas More, by William RoperUtopia, by Sir Thomas MoreThe Ninety-Five Theses, To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, and On the
Freedom of a Christian, by Martin Luther
G Vol. 37. LOCKE, BERKELEY, HUME
Some Thoughts Concerning Education, by John LockeThree Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous in Opposition to Sceptics and
Atheists, by George BerkeleyAn Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, by David Hume
G Vol. 38. HARVEY, JENNER, LISTER, PASTEUR
The Oath of HippocratesJourneys in Diverse Places, by Ambroise ParéOn the Motion of the Heart and Blood in Animals, by William HarveyThe Three Original Publications on Vaccination Against Smallpox, by Edward JennerThe Contagiousness of Puerperal Fever, by Oliver Wendell HolmesOn the Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery, by Joseph ListerScientific papers, by Louis PasteurScientific papers, by Charles Lyell
G Vol. 39. FAMOUS PREFACES
G Vol. 40. ENGLISH POETRY 1: CHAUCER TO GRAY
G Vol. 41. ENGLISH POETRY 2: COLLINS TO FITZGERALD
G Vol. 42. ENGLISH POETRY 3: TENNYSON TO WHITMAN
G Vol. 43. AMERICAN HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
G Vol. 44. SACRED WRITINGS 1
Confucian: The sayings of ConfuciusHebrew: Job, Psalms, and EcclesiastesChristian I: Luke and Acts
G Vol. 45. SACRED WRITINGS 2
Christian II: Corinthians I and II and hymnsBuddhist: WritingsHindu: The Bhagavad-GitaMohammedan: Chapters from the Koran
G Vol. 46. ELIZABETHAN DRAMA 1
Edward the Second, by Christopher MarloweHamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, and The Tempest, by William Shakespeare
G Vol. 47. ELIZABETHAN DRAMA 2
The Shoemaker's Holiday, by Thomas DekkerThe Alchemist, by Ben JonsonPhilaster, by Beaumont and FletcherThe Duchess of Malfi, by John WebsterA New Way to Pay Old Debts, by Philip Massinger
G Vol. 48. THOUGHTS AND MINOR WORKS, PASCAL
Thoughts, letters, and minor works, by Blaise Pascal
G Vol. 49. EPIC AND SAGA
BeowulfThe Song of RolandThe Destruction of Dá Derga's HostelThe Story of the Volsungs and Niblungs
G Vol. 50. INTRODUCTION, READER'S GUIDE, INDEXES
G Vol. 51. LECTURES
The last volume contains sixty lectures introducing and summarizing the coveredfields: history, poetry, natural science, philosophy, biography, prose fiction, criticism andthe essay, education, political science, drama, travelogues, and religion.
Harvard Classics - FictionOne of the criticisms leveled at the Harvard Classics is that they do not contain
enough fiction, especially modern fiction. Accordingly in 1917, President Charles W. Eliot(by then retired from Harvard) appended twenty works of classical fiction to the HarvardClassics. Herewith are those additions with notes and introductions by William AllanNeilson. It also features an index to Criticisms and Interpretations..
G Vol. 1. HENRY FIELDING 1
The History of Tom Jones, part 1, by Henry Fielding
G Vol. 2. HENRY FIELDING 2
The History of Tom Jones, part 2, by Henry Fielding
G Vol. 3. LAURENCE STERN, JANE AUSTEN
A Sentimental Journey, by Laurence SternePride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
G Vol. 4. SIR WALTER SCOTT
Guy Mannering, by Sir Walter Scott
G Vol. 5. WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY 1
Vanity Fair, part 1, by William Makepeace Thackeray
G Vol. 6. WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY 2
Vanity Fair, part 2, by William Makepeace Thackeray
G Vol. 7. CHARLES DICKENS 1
David Copperfield, part 1, by Charles Dickens
G Vol. 8. CHARLES DICKENS 2
David Copperfield, part 2, by Charles Dickens
G Vol. 9. GEORGE ELIOT
The Mill on the Floss, by George Eliot
G Vol. 10. HAWTHORNE, IRVING, POE, BRET HARTE, MARK TWAIN, HALE
The Scarlet Letter and "Rappaccini's Daughter", by Nathaniel Hawthorne"Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", by Washington Irving"Eleonora", "The Fall of the House of Usher", and "The Purloined Letter", by Edgar AllanPoe"The Luck of Roaring Camp", "The Outcasts of Poker Flat", and "The Idyl of Red Gulch",by Francis Bret Harte"Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog", by Samuel L. Clemens"The Man Without a Country", by Edward Everett Hale
G Vol. 11. HENRY JAMES, JR.
The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James
G Vol. 12. VICTOR HUGO
Notre Dame de Paris, by Victor Marie Hugo
G Vol. 13. BALZAC, SAND, DE MUSSET, DAUDET, DE MAUPASSANT
Old Goriot, by Honoré de BalzacThe Devil's Pool, by George SandThe Story of a White Blackbird, by Alfred de Musset"The Siege of Berlin", "The Last Class—The Story of a Little Alsatian", "The Child Spy","The Game of Billiards", and "The Bad Zouave", by Alphonse Daudet"Walter Schnaffs’ Adventure" and "Two Friends", by Guy de Maupassant
G Vol. 14. JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
G Vol. 15. GOETHE, KELLER, STORM, FONTANE
The Sorrows of Young Werther, by Johann Wolfgang von GoetheThe Banner of the Upright Seven, by Gottfried KellerThe Rider on the White Horse, by Theodor StormTrials and Tribulations, by Theodor Fontane
G Vol. 16. LEO NIKOLAEVITCH TOLSTOY 1
Anna Karenina, part 1, by Leo Tolstoy
G Vol. 17. LEO NIKOLAEVITCH TOLSTOY 2
Anna Karenina, part 2, and Ivan the Fool, by Leo Tolstoy
G Vol. 18. FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY
Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
G Vol. 19. IVAN TURGENEV
A House of Gentlefolk and Fathers and Children, by Ivan Turgenev
G Vol. 20. VALERA, BJØRNSON, KIELLAND
Pepita Jimenez, by Juan ValeraA Happy Boy, by Bjørnstjerne BjørnsonSkipper Worse, by Alexander L. Kielland
The Easton Press Greatest 100 CollectionEaston Press is one of many publishers that have created a list of the 100 greatest books everwritten. In the case of Easton Press, however, their 100 Greatest Books Ever Written seriesare all gorgeously leather bound books. Every book in this series is bound in genuineleather, and the books also include 22k gold accents on the cover as well as gilt page edgesand a sewn in bookmark.Many other sources have created lists of the 100 greatest books, including Time magazine.While the books in each list vary from source to source, there are certain books that seemto consistently make it onto every list — well-known classics like To Kill a Mockingbird,Of Mice and Men, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are all examples of such books.The Easton Press series is definitely one of the definitive collector’s editions, however, withtheir incredibly high quality leather bound books.
G Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
G Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Conan Doyle
G The Aeneid by Virgil
G Aesop’s Fables by Aesop
G Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
G The Analects of Confucius by Confucius
G Animal Farm by George Orwell
G Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
G The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
G Beowulf by Anonymous
G Billy Budd by Herman Melville
G Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
G The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
G Robert Browning – Collected Poems by Robert Browning
G Candide by Voltaire
G The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
G The Cherry Orchard/Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov
G The Confessions of St. Augustine by Saint Augustine of Hippo
G The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, père
G Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
G Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand
G David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
G The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio
G Emily Dickinson – Collected Poems by Emily Dickinson
G The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
G Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
G Dracula by Bram Stoker
G Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
G Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson
G A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
G Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev
G Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
G Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay
G Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
G Robert Frost – Collected Poems by Robert Frost
G Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
G Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, the Brothers Grimm
G Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
G Hamlet by William Shakespeare
G Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
G History of Early Rome by Livy
G The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
G Iliad by Homer
G Ivanhoe by Walter Scott
G Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
G The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
G John Keats - Collected Poems by John Keats
G Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D. H. Lawrence
G The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
G Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
G The Legend of Sleepy Hollow & Other Stories by Washington Irving
G Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
G Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
G Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad
G Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
G A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
G Moby-Dick or, The Whale by Herman Melville
G The Necklace and Other Tales by Guy de Maupassant
G Odyssey by Homer
G Oedipus the King by Sophocles
G Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
G On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
G Paradise Lost by John Milton
G The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
G The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
G Politics by Aristotle
G The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
G A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
G Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
G The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
G Pygmalion/Candida by George Bernard Shaw
G The Red and the Black by Stendhal
G The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
G The Republic by Plato
G Rights of Man by Thomas Paine
G Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
G Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
G Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Omar Khayyam
G The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
G The Sea Wolf by Jack London
G She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith
G Silas Marner by George Eliot
G The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
G A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
G Tales from the Arabian Nights by Richard Burton
G Tales of Mystery & Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe
G The Talisman by Walter Scott
G Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
G The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, père
G The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
G Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
G Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
G Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
G Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
G Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
G Walden by Henry David Thoreau
G War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
G The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler
G Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
G William Butler Yeats – Collected Poems by W. B. Yeats
G Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving
G The Birds and The Frogs by Aristophanes
G The Comedies by William Shakespeare
G The Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
G Descent of Man by Charles Darwin
G Les Fleurs du mal (The Flowers Of Evil) by Charles Baudelaire
G The Histories by William Shakespeare
G Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
G A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe
G The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
G Medea – Hippolytus – The Bacchae by Euripides
G Oresteia by Aeschylus
G Three Plays by Henrik Ibsen
G Two Plays by Moliere
G Two Plays by George Bernard Shaw
G Poems by John Donne
G Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
G Short Stories by Oscar Wilde
G Short Stories by Charles Dickens
G The Symposium by Plato
G The Tragedies by William Shakespeare
G Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne
G The Effayes by Francis Bacon
G Middlemarch by George Eliot
G Holy Bible
THOMAS JEFFERSON EDUCATIONThomas Jefferson Education is a philosophy or method of education that focuses of personaleducation and advancement through selected reading and private tutoring, including homeschooling in the earlier years. Following are the selected readings which are advised for acomplete education. It should be noted that they have a kickback arrangement with Amazonwhereby they receive a commission for all books purchased from Amazon by linking fromthe TJEd web site. More can be learned about this movement at http://www.tjed.org/.
ADULT
G The History of Freedom
John Emerich Edward Dalberg, Lord Acton; Acton never completed his projectedHistory of Liberty. We do have however several collections of his writings including onewhich contains 2 chapters from this planned history - on liberty in antiquity and Christianity- and many book reviews where one can piece together Acton’s approach to the writing ofsuch a history.
G Thoughts on Government
John Adams
GOn Kingship
Saint Thomas Aquinas
G The Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle
G Politics
Aristotle
G Rhetoric
Aristotle
G The City of God
Saint Augustine
G Meditations
Emperor Marcus Aurelius
G Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen,
G Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen
G Novum Organum Scientiarum
Sir Francis Bacon
G The Law
Claude Frédéric Bastiat
G That Which Is Seen and That Which Is Not Seen
Claude Frédéric Bastiat
G The Proper Role of Government
Ezra Taft Benson
G The Holy Bible
King James Version
G The Consolation of Philosophy
Anicius Manlius Severinus Boëthius
G Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë
G Jane Eyre
Charlotte Brontë
G The American Tradition
Clarence B. Carson
G The Tao of Physics
Fritjof Capra
G Orthodoxy
Gilbert Keith “G.K.” Chesterton
G Collected Speeches
Sir Winston Churchill
G The Republic and The Laws
Marcus Tullius Cicero
G On War
Carl Philipp Gottfried von Clausewitz
G The Analects
Confucius
G Constitution of the United States
Constitutional Convention; James Madison, Principal Author
G On the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres
Nicolaus Copernicus
G The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen Covey
G The Divine Comedy
Durante degli Alighieri, better known as “Dante”Consisting of “The Inferno,” “Purgatorio,” and “Paradiso”
G The Declaration of Independence
Second Continental Congress; Principal Author- Thomas Jefferson
G Robinson Crusoe
Daniel Defoe
G A Discourse on the Method
René Descartes
G A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
G Great Expectations
Charles Dickens
G Magnificent Obsession
Lloyd C. Douglas
G The Story of Civilization (11 Volume Set)
Will and Ariel Durant
G Relativity: The Special and the General Theory
Albert Einstein
G Emerson’s Essays
Ralph Waldo Emerson
G The Thirteen Books of the Elements
Euclid of Alexandria
G Alas, Babylon
Pat Frank
G Letters and Writings
Benjamin Franklin
G Civilization and Its Discontents
Sigmund Freud
G Two New Sciences
Galileo Galilei
G The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Edward Gibbon
G Faust I & II (Goethe : The Collected Works
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
G Leviathan
Thomas Hobbes
G The Iliad
Homer
G The Odyssey
Homer,
G Les Miserables
Victor Hugo
G Essays Moral, Political, and Literary
David Hume
G Letters, Speeches and Writings
Thomas Jefferson,
G A History of Warfare
John Keegan
G Epitome of Copernican Astronomy and Harmonies of the World
Johannes Kepler
G Collected Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr
G The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Thomas S. Kuhn
G Elements of Chemistry
Antoine Lavoisier
G Mere Christianity
C. S. Lewis
G The Screwtape Letters
C.S. Lewis
G The Weight of Glory
C.S. Lewis
G Great Speeches of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
G Second Treatise Of Government
John Locke
G The Prince
Nicccolo Machiavelli
G The Federalist Papers
John Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay,
G The Communist Manifesto
Karl Marx and Freidrich Engels,
G Utopia
Thomas More
G The Magna Carta
King John Lackland, as forced by the nobles of England
G On Liberty
John Stuart Mill,
G Paradise Lost
John Milton
G Paradise Regained
John Milton
G Human Action: A Treatise on Economics
Ludwig von Mises,
G The Monroe Doctrine
President James Monroe
G The Spirit of the Laws
Charles de Secondat Montesquieu,
G Mathematical Principles
Sir Isaac Newton
G Introduction to Arithmetic
Nicomachus of Gerasa
G Beyond Good and Evil
Friedrich Nietzsche
G The Northwest Ordinance
Congress of the Confederation (Successor to the Second Continental Congress) Created the North-west Territory, first territory of the United States.
G Nineteen Eighty-Four
George Orwell
G Complete Works of Plato
Plato
G The Histories
Polybius of Arcadia
G The Chosen
Chaim Potok
G Lives
Plutarch, AKA Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus
G Almagest
Claudius Ptolemy
G Complete Works
William Shakespeare
G The 5000 Year Leap
W. Cleon Skousen
G The Majesty of God’s Law
W. Cleon Skousen
G The Making of America
W. Cleon Skousen
G The Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith
G A World Split Apart
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
G The Gulag Archipelago
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
G The Oedipus Trilogy
Sophocles
G Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe
G The Art Of War
Sun Tzu
G Vanity Fair
William Makepeace Thackeray
G Walden or Life in the Woods
Henry David Thoreau
G War And Peace
Leo Tolstoy
G The Peloponnesian War
Thucydides
G Democracy in America
Alexis de Tocqueville
G Letters, Speeches and Writings
George Washington
G The Mainspring of Human Progress
Henry Grady Weaver
G The Virginian
Owen Wister
Young Children and Family Reading
G Aesop’s Fables
Aesop
G Andersen’s Fairy Tales
Hans Christian Andersen
G Beauty and the Beast
Traditional Fairy Tale
G The Besty-Tacy Series
Maud Hart Lovelace
G The Holy Bible
Select age appropriate stories.
G The Blind Men and the Elephant
Traditional Jain Parable
G Casey at the Bat
Ernest Thayer
G Charlotte’s Web
E. B. White
G Chicken Little
Traditional Folk Tale
G A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens (can be scary–use discretion or paraphrase as needed)
G Cinderella
Traditional Folk Tale
G Dinotopia Series
James Gurney
G Dr. Seuss Series
Theodor Seuss Geisel (some sequels by others)
G The Emperor’s New Clothes
Hans Christian Andersen (adapted from a Medieval Spanish cautionary tale.)
G The Story Of The Other Wise Man
Henry van Dyke (Children’s version by by Robert Barrett)
G The Gift of the Magi
O. Henry
G The Giving Tree
Shel Silverstein
G “God Save the Flag”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
G Goldilocks and the Three Bears
In the earliest versions (1830s), the intruder was an old woman. She became a childin 1849, and the name Goldilocks did not appear until early in the twentieth Century
G The Goose that Laid Golden Eggs
Aesop
G Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Collected and compiled by the “Brothers Grimm” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm )
G “The Highwayman”
Alfred Noyes
G Hansel and Gretel
Traditional German Folk Tale
G Jack and the Beanstalk
Traditional English Folk Tale
G The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving
G “Lincoln, The Man of the People”
G Little Boy Blue
G The Little Engine That Could
G The Little House Series
G The Little Red Hen
G Little Red Riding Hood
G McGuffey’s Readers
G Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes
G Paul Revere’s Ride
G Perloo The Bold
G Peter Pan
G Peter Rabbit
G The Pied Piper of Hamelin
G Pinocchio
G Pollyanna
G The Princess and the Pea
G Puss in Boots
G Rapunzel
G Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
G Rip Van Winkle
G Robin Hood
G Rumpelstiltskin
G Rudyard Kiplng’s Just So Stories
G Sleeping Beauty
G The Song of Hiawatha
G Snow White
G Tales from the Arabian Nights
G The Three Billy Goats Gruff
G The Three Little Pigs
G The Ugly Duckling
G Tom Thumb
G‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
G The Wind in the Willows
G Winnie-the-Pooh
G The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Young Readers
G Alice In Wonderland, Carroll
G Animal Farm, Orwell
G Asimov on Numbers, Asimov
G The Anne of Green Gables , Montgomery
G Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Classics for Young Readers
G“Battle Hymn of the Republic“, Julia Ward Howe
G Ben-Hur Classics for Young Readers, Wallace, Johnson
G The Bible
G Brighty: Of the Grand Canyon, Henry
G Black Beauty, Sewell
G The Black Stallion series, Farley
G The Chronicles of Narnia series, Lewis
G Collected Works of Edgar A. Guest
G“The Concord Hymn “, Emerson
G A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Twain
G The Constitution of the United States
G David Copperfield, Dickens
G Davy Crockett Legends
G The Declaration of Independence
G The Diary of a Young Girl, Frank
G Don Quixote, Cervantes
G Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Stevenson
G Dred Scott Decision
G The Education of Henry Adams, Adams
G Eight Cousins, Alcott
G Emily Post’s Etiquette
G“In Flanders Fields“, McCrae
G Flatland, Abbott
G The Foundation series, Asimov
G Frankenstein, Shelley
G“The Gettysburg Address,” Lincoln
G“The War Inevitable”, Henry
G The Great Brain series, Fitzgerald
G Gulliver’s Travels, Swift
G Mythology, Hamilton
G“Hamlet,” Shakespeare
G Heidi, Spyri
G The Hiding Place, Boom
G History Reborn, Anderson
G The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain
G“I Have A Dream,” King
G Ivanhoe, Scott
G The Hobbit, Tolkein
G Island of the Blue Dolphins, O’Dell
G Joan of Arc, Twain
G Jo’s Boys, Alcott
G Journey to the Center of the Earth, Verne
G“Julius Caesar,” Shakespeare
G The Jungle Book, Kipling
G King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table
G Laddie, Porter
G The Last of the Mohicans, Cooper
G“Let America Be America Again,” Hughes
G The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
G The Little Britches series, Moody
G Little Lord Fauntleroy, Frances Hodgson Burnett
G Little Men, Alcott
G Little Women, Alcott
G The Lonesome Gods, L’Amour
G The Lord of the Rings series, Tolkein
G“The Man with the Hoe,” Markham
G Mathematicians Are People, Too (2 volumes), Reimer
G Moby-Dick, Melville
G Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
G National Velvet, Bagnold
G Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the English Language; see also: Online 1828
Dictionary
G North to Freedom, Holm
G“O Captain! My Captain!,” Whitman
G“Old Ironsides,” Holmes
G Old Yeller, Gipson
G Oliver Twist, Dickens
G Paul Bunyan and Other Tall Tales
G The Phantom Tollbooth, Juster
G“The Present Crisis,” Lowell
G“The Road Not Taken,” Frost
G The Real Benjamin Franklin, Allison
G The Real George Washington, Parry
G The Real Thomas Jefferson, Allison
G The Robe, Douglas
G Robinson Crusoe, Defoe
G The Sackett Series, L’Amour
G Saxon Math series
G The Secret Garden, Burnett
G Soldiers, Statesmen & Heroes, Parry
G Shakespeare’s Sonnets
G Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers, Kavanaugh
G Stuart Little, White
G Summer of the Monkeys, Rawls
G The Swiss Family Robinson, Wyss
G Tom Sawyer, Twain
G Treasure Island, Stevenson
G The Trumpet of the Swan, White
G The Doctor Dolittle series, Lofting
G White Fang, London
G The story of William Tell
G Where the Red Fern Grows, Rawls