YouTubers Recommend 52 Great Books of the Western World

Hey there! Interested in the great books of the Western world but unsure where to start? I’m here to help. This post is your guide to the classics, with a unique twist. We’ll explore these timeless works with the assistance of YouTubers known for their love of literature. Get ready for a fun and approachable literary adventure!

Which Great Books of the Western World Will You Read?

4 recommended great books of the western world

As you embark on this journey, it’s essential to choose a book that truly excites you. For those looking for a quick, yet enriching read, “The Great Gatsby” is a perfect choice, offering a compact and vivid exploration of the Jazz Age in America. If you’re in the mood for something that can sustain you for 4-8 weeks or more, delve into “The Count of Monte Cristo” or “The Lord of the Rings.” Both offer rich, detailed worlds and complex narratives that will keep you engaged for a longer period. For a gripping page-turner, I highly recommend “Crime and Punishment.” Whatever you choose, let your curiosity guide you and enjoy the journey through these masterpieces of Western literature!

The Great Books Curated by Tristan and the Classics

THE 10 GREATEST BOOKS OF ALL TIME In English Literature

Embark on a literary journey with Tristan from Tristan and the Classics, a voracious reader and insightful guide into the world of classic literature. Tristan, who began his reading odyssey at the age of two, has since cultivated a deep and nuanced understanding of literary works without the formal trappings of a university education.

Tristan’s engaging YouTube channel, which boasts over 15,000 subscribers, serves as a testament to his ability to demystify complex themes and make the great books of the Western world accessible and enjoyable for all. Tristan offers more than mere book summaries; his channel is a treasure trove of in-depth explorations into timeless novels, Shakespearean plays, and the art of literary criticism, inviting subscribers into a community where the love for literature deepens with every shared discovery.

Here’s Tristan’s picks:

The Great Books Curated by Benjamin McEvoy

Revealing the Book Club Schedule for 2024 (Hardcore Literature)

Meet Benjamin McEvoy, the impassioned creator behind the Hardcore Literature Book Club and Podcast, a vibrant community for book lovers who seek to deeply engage with the world’s greatest literary works. On his YouTube channel, McEvoy invites fellow readers to not just read, but to truly live the classics, offering immersive explorations into the works of Shakespeare, Homer, Tolstoy, and many more. His approach is about more than just reading; it’s an invitation to experience the art that has shaped the world, to suck the marrow out of evocative epics and life-changing analyses.

Here’s McEvoy’s picks for 2024:

The Great Books Curated by Rewire the West

What Does It Mean to “Rewire” the West? (and how to do it!)

Evan, the passionate creator of Rewire the West, is on a mission to help people rediscover the beauty, truth, and virtue in the great books of the Western world. Growing up with only a superficial understanding of great art and literature, Evan’s personal journey led him to realize the transformative power of true beauty.

Through Rewire the West, Evan guides others to appreciate the timeless works of literature, music, and art that have shaped our world. Rewire the West is more than just an educational resource; it’s a gateway to experiencing the profound impact and joy these masterpieces can bring into our lives. Evan’s dedication to this journey reflects his belief that engaging deeply with these works is a path to personal transformation and a fuller understanding of life’s beauty.

Here’s Evan’s picks:

The Great Books Curated by Alexander Stepanov

Civilizing the Barbarians Lecture 1: Introduction

Alexander Stepanov, a distinguished Russian-American computer programmer known for his pioneering work in generic programming and the C++ Standard Template Library, also ventured into the realm of education with a unique lecture series for engineers at A9.com.

Stepanov’s series, “Civilizing the Barbarians,” focuses on a ‘short canon’ of the great books of the Western world, carefully selected to provide a foundational understanding of its vast cultural heritage. These sessions, blending detailed lectures with engaging discussions, were designed to acquaint engineers, many from non-Western backgrounds, with the influential ideas and narratives that have shaped Western thought and culture.

Here’s Stepanov’s short canon:

Homer
- The Iliad
- The Odyssey
Plutarch
- Parallel Lives Volume 1
- Parallel Lives Volume 2
Plato (Complete Works)
- Symposium; On love
- Apology, Crito, Phaedo: Trial, imprisonment, and death of Socrates
- Gorgias: On justice
- Republic
Euclid
The Bible (The New Oxford Annotated Bible)
- Old Testament
  - Genesis
  - Exodus
  - Samuel 1 and 2
  - Kings 1 and 2
- New Testament
  - Luke
  - Acts
Shakespeare (The Complete Works)

Take an eCourse on Stepanov’s Short Canon

Embark on a unique educational journey with my eCourse, “From Homer to Satoshi: An Introduction to the Western Canon,” directly inspired by Alexander Stepanov’s influential lecture series at A9.com. This course meticulously follows Stepanov’s carefully selected short canon of works that form the backbone of Western civilization. From the epic tales of Homer to the intricate dialogues of Plato and the timeless plays of Shakespeare, the course provides a comprehensive exploration of these fundamental great books of the Western world. Designed for those who have had limited exposure to these classics, it offers a unique opportunity to delve into the richness of Western literary and philosophical heritage. Available for purchase with Bitcoin at only 5000 Satoshis, this course is a testament to the enduring relevance of these ancient works in our modern, digital age.

Get the course

YouTuber Recommendations by Page Length

If you’re like my son, you’ll want to know how long a book is before beginning to read it. So, here’s a table of all of the above mentioned great books of the Western world sorted by page length.

Title	Page Length
Exodus	40
Genesis	50
Luke	60
Acts	70
Macbeth	100
Samuel 1 and 2	110
Kings 1 and 2	120
Heart of Darkness	120
Symposium	128
Utopia	135
The Inferno	136
Gorgias	160
Hamlet	160
King Lear	160
The Great Gatsby	180
Apology, Crito, Phaedo	200
Beowulf	200
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer	224
Song of Solomon	256
Paradise Lost	320
The Master and Margarita	384
Pride and Prejudice	432
The Aeneid	442
The Stories of Franz Kafka	450
The Canterbury Tales	480
Republic	480
Far From the Madding Crowd	480
The Glimpse of Truth	500
Great Expectations	544
The Odyssey	560
Euclid’s The Elements Volume 1	560
Euclid’s The Elements Volume 2	560
Euclid’s The Elements Volume 3	560
Metamorphoses	560
East of Eden	601
The Iliad	608
Parallel Lives Volume 1	650
Parallel Lives Volume 2	650
Moby Dick	720
David Copperfield	882
Middlemarch	904
Walt Whitman: The Complete Poems	928
Le Morte D’Arthur	944
Don Quixote	992
The Plays of Molière	1000
Infinite Jest	1088
The Lord of the Rings	1178
The Tale of Genji	1182
The King James Bible	1200
The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works	1344
The Divine Comedy	1368
Plato (Complete Works)	1804

Discover the Great Authors of the Western World

If you’re eager to dive deeper into the literary treasures of the Western world, we’ve got just the resource for you. Our blog post, “Great Authors of the Western World,” is a comprehensive guide to some of the most influential and captivating writers in history. From Homer to Shakespeare and beyond, this post will be your roadmap to exploring the authors behind the classics and discovering new horizons.

That’s a Wrap!

Think of these lists as your personal starter kit for a grand adventure in the great books of the Western world. Happy reading and watching – I can’t wait to hear about all the amazing ideas and stories you’ll discover!