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Charles Van Doren
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The Joy of Reading: A Passionate Guide to 189 of the World's Best Authors and Their Works Paperback – April 1, 2008

by Charles Van Doren (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 34 ratings
See all formats and editions
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"Charles Van Doren has laid a feast before all of us that is irresistible."―Mortimer J. Adler

This engaging love letter to reading follows the great authors and classics that transformed the world: from Aristotle and Herodotus in ancient Greece to Salinger and Heinlein in 20th century America. Like a professor whose enthusiasm enwraps his students, Van Doren explains what's wonderful in the books you've missed and awakens your desire to reopen the books you already know.

Divided chronologically by the periods in which these classics were written, each book is put in its historical context and brought to life by Van Doren's brilliant analysis. The Joy of Reading delves into a wide range of genres―fiction, poetry, drama, children's books, philosophy, history and science. This is the one book that brings together everything you need to know about the classics you missed and ignites your passion to read and reread the greatest books the world has ever known.

This book is the fruit of a lifelong love affair. Reading, I believe, is my favorite thing to do; books and I have been inseparable almost as long as I can remember … To this day, I become distressed if I am anywhere without a book, a magazine, a newspaper, any scrap of paper to read …. I like the smell of books, certainly the feel of them. Life without books would be, for me, a vacant horror."―Charles Van Doren

"Nothing recommends the joy of reading better than the communication of it by a person who has spent a lifetime enriched by the delights of reading. Charles Van Doren is that kind of reader. He has laid a feast before us that is irresistible."―Mortimer J. Adler, author of How to Read a Book

"Mr. Van Doren is that rarity, a truly well read man who reads not for professional purposes but for pleasure. His book spurs us on to explore more deeply and joyfully the infinitely varied terrain of good books."―Clifton Fadiman, author of The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classical Guide to World Literature

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    544 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sourcebooks
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.36 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9781402211607
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1402211607
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

iThis book is as contagious as it was intended to be.i
oMortimer J. Adler
Like a professor whose enthusiasm inspires his students, Charles Van Doren
explains whatis wonderful in the classic and contemporary books youive missed, and awakens your desire to reopen the works youive loved. This engaging love letter to reading explores the work of the authors who transformed the world: from Aristotle and Herodotus in ancient Greece to Salinger and Vonnegut in 20th century America.
Divided chronologically by the eras in which these books were written, each work is put in historical context and brought to life by Van Dorenis sometimes surpising and always insightful comments. The Joy of Reading delves into a wide range of genres o fiction, poetry, drama, childrenis books, philosophy, history, and science. Also offered is a unique ten-year reading plan, made up of a grand variety of the worldis greatest books.
Charles Van Doren is the coauthor of the classic How to Read a Book with philosopher Mortimer J. Adler; the author of A History of Knowledge (which sold
30,000 copies in hardcover and 150,000 in paperback); and the author or editor of The Idea of Progress, Great Treasury of Western Thought, The Annals of America, Second Chance: An American Story, as well as several novels for young people and Websteris American biographies.
He is an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut, Torrington Campus. His father was Mark Van Doren, a Pulitzer Prizewinning poet and professor at Columbia.
"

From the Back Cover

ìThis book is as contagious as it was intended to be.î
óMortimer J. Adler

Like a professor whose enthusiasm inspires his students, Charles Van Doren
explains whatís wonderful in the classic and contemporary books youíve missed, and awakens your desire to reopen the works youíve loved. This engaging love letter to reading explores the work of the authors who transformed the world: from Aristotle and Herodotus in ancient Greece to Salinger and Vonnegut in 20th century America.

Divided chronologically by the eras in which these books were written, each work is put in historical context and brought to life by Van Dorenís sometimes surpising and always insightful comments. The Joy of Reading delves into a wide range of genres ó fiction, poetry, drama, childrenís books, philosophy, history, and science. Also offered is a unique ten-year reading plan, made up of a grand variety of the worldís greatest books.

Charles Van Doren is the coauthor of the classic How to Read a Book with philosopher Mortimer J. Adler; the author of A History of Knowledge (which sold
30,000 copies in hardcover and 150,000 in paperback); and the author or editor of The Idea of Progress, Great Treasury of Western Thought, The Annals of America, Second Chance: An American Story, as well as several novels for young people and Websterís American biographies.

He is an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut, Torrington Campus. His father was Mark Van Doren, a Pulitzer Prizewinning poet and professor at Columbia.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1402211600
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks (April 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 544 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781402211607
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1402211607
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.94 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.36 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 34 ratings

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Charles Van Doren

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
34 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Thomas Goffe
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic user's manual for becoming well read.
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2009
Verified Purchase
Dr. Van Doren has created a fantastic book that serves a much needed goal in our "on-line society." He has created a valuable list of the greatest classic books of human knowledge and literature. He explains why they are important, and his passion for each is clearly evident. He puts them into a meaningful context and connects them together to weave a tapestry of knowledge. I'd thought that I was well read until I picked up this book. But instead of being dismayed at how little I really know, I have taken comfort from his suggested ten year reading plan at the back of the book as a useful path for discovering them for myself. This book can reveal a world that should be an inspiration for the pursuit of greater knowledge for any person who is at all serious about improving their knowledge of the world around them.

This book is quite highly recommended.
26 people found this helpful
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N. S. Houston
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book Reference
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
I have read this book over and over for several years when I checked it out from library. When the one copy was discarded I bought my own. I like referring back to it for the well-written essays on each book selection.
One person found this helpful
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Sarge
4.0 out of 5 stars Must read!
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2018
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This is one of the finest book on literature ever written.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A spectacular achievement
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Charles Van Doren`s erudition, insight and sheer genius are apodictic. The Joy of Reading is a gift to readers everywhere. A book for the ages.
One person found this helpful
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Nancy Lacey
5.0 out of 5 stars A book for the ages
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2009
Verified Purchase
I read The Joy of Reading when it was first published. I was pleased to find it has been updated and reissued. It's an excellent reference for avid readers and to expose students to the great writers of the world. I gave the book as gifts for grandchildren who love to read.
15 people found this helpful
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Azaz
5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful bookist
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2019
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each book receives a review of personal and clear insight.
2 people found this helpful
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MyAmazon
5.0 out of 5 stars I like reading this book
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2015
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I bought this to help me prepare for my ELA praxis test. I like reading this book, I truly had fun while reviewing author's works. Some items came out in the test.
3 people found this helpful
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Kay Hill
1.0 out of 5 stars Useless
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2021
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Mostly authors I never heard of and I was majored in English literature. I'm 88, and it's a little late to st art over now.
One person found this helpful
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