The Great Books and the Great Conversation: An Introduction

An introduction to the great books and the great conversation. In this episode, I (Christian Poole) also cover questions like: Why read the great books? What makes a great book? Why focus on the great books of the West and not the East? Also covered is the Great Books of the Western World set, which I use extensively in this podcast and channel.

ABOUT THE PODCAST
The ThinkingWest: Great Books Explored podcast revives the “Great Conversation” in our digital age through exploring the great books of the western world. We dive deep into the most influential books of all time, read short essays and letters from the greatest thinkers, and discuss timeless ideas that continue to shape our culture today.

ABOUT THINKINGWEST
ThinkingWest aims to revive the “Great Conversation” in our digital age through promoting the study of the great books of the western world, classical approaches to education, and through thoughtful commentary on current events, history, philosophy, culture, education, and religion.

LINKS

#greatbooks #greatconversation #philosophy #podcast

[happymaskedguy]

I think it's very important for people to understand that simply reading the texts, ala one and done, isn't enough - you MUST slow down, really contemplate the contents, pour over the meanings and importance and really study what you read. Absorb it. You are reading to lift that information off the page. From there you have to contend with that information, play with it, turn it over in your hands and mind. Re-reading is absolutely essential in this regard. You WILL NOT glean more than a surface understanding of the texts with one reading. Don't treat it as a list to tick off, but rather a table of suggestive reading for a thorough, personal education. One great book properly read and comprehended is infinitely better than twenty rushed through.

[douglasstrother]

I do syntopic reading for work: Engineering, Physics & Math. The opportunity to do so was rare when I was a young, sexy Physics Major in the 80's: getting problem sets and lab reports completed on time were sufficient challenges!
Two books at the same level may cover "the same stuff" but have very different approaches to the subject. Working through derivations, examples and problems are *still* invaluable when "dusting-off" previous material, and learning new stuff. Diving into "Old Stuff" is an adventure into ingenious minds from the past.

[NoNameNoFace-rrli]

i read through "The Great Books of the Western World" when i was 13 through 16 and used the Syntopicon with the collection...it is the best thing I ever did for myself

[adeelali]

I put this on whilst driving and it was unbelievably enjoyable. I can tell this is a labour of love for you.

[johnbarbour]

Super pumped about this channel and podcast. My wife and I started classically homeschooling this year and working our way through this set. I'm about half way through the Iliad.

[DJNSO]

Love your podcast! I purchased both the Harvard Classics and Brittanancia's Greatest Books of the West sets. I slowly started to read them via their reading plan but found that I wanted to share my journey with others that valued these books well. And then I found your podcast! A+

[JohnVKaravitis]

I've read all 60 volumes of the Great Books. It took me 5 years.

[Policesamuri]

I am so glad I found your channel. I have watched 4 of your videos. Interesting enough I was reading the Psalms in my King James Bible this week. I take notes in my journals all the time and write using cursive handwriting and I love calligraphy. Your channel is very informative.

[RacingMachine]

Amazing video, i bought them all in December 2021 and started my journey on this priceless reading. In my estimates, i should take between 5-7 years to complete considering i am also reading between 40-52 parallel books per year, including work activities, but i will definitely finish it and redo it immediately after. I hope i can do this cycle a couple times at least through my life, as i am 34 years old now.

[austinrucker]

2 years late to the party, but still excited!!

[vanessa]

I ordered my set from eBay today...a 1990 second edition...all 60 books in the complete set.

[russellbrinson]

Have you found a way or resource to tackle the difficulty of finding individuals that are in the same great books you are currently in?

[alfredsams]

I must add that I read the syntopican .it was excellent and dealt with various topics. But.when I read montaigne I couldn't get what he's saying.I would cliff notes then.

[kennethcultura]

Is there a scholarship for this set? Thanks

[douglasstrother]

Add to these, the Bible and a good (older) dictionary.

[jameshaley]

Perhaps omitting the Bible our society is as it is and you’re great books lack

[alfredsams]

Your podcast will help .but your marketing of great books is out of sync with today's world.readers are vanishing.low attention spans, video games, metaverse attracts gen z. I'm a voracious reader and though.I ordered it for the company I worked for I didn't open a.single book. Why because every great book is dense.it requires mental heavy lifting.you need.podcasts. you need.a tutor.a place to get answers to questions. In this age of online courses and people ready to answer questions your qreat books want us to be solitary readers and walk alone. You have to have a group of expert professors to answer our doubts especially when you call it the great conversation. I'm a minor writer, once upon an english teacher, postgraduate in literature and also a human resource trainer and I don't like heavy reading. So I'm saying this in the hope that the great books a wonderful idea will have a regular university or open university or tutorial to guide readers. As for great.books.of the east.there are thousands of good books and gurus and teachers in India.its western books that need to be read by people when liberalism is crumbling.I.hope my sincere humble submission will help you.sadly, I'm too old to try to read them.thank you

[stuartkidney]

Well, I compliment you on your "noble" effort....however, the 'noble effort' is obviously lacking in being well-sourced!

Instead of yammering about what YOU think - highly recommend showing a good dose of humility and letting others speak for you. Ecclesiastes 12:11-12 is 100% applicable. For those that seek knowledge, wisdom & have modicum of humility, the whole Book & specifically the entire 12th chapter is applicable to pontificating about "Great Books" of the Western World.