36 books that changed the world

by The Great Courses · 2014

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"Since the development of written language, books have played a central role in our culture. They've entertained. They've instructed. They've inspired. But can a book actually change the course of history? The answer is, resoundingly, yes. And now, with 36 Books That Changed the World, a fascinating Great Courses Collection crafted from our extensive library of courses, you can now get a riveting intellectual tour of the profound impact of books from thousands of years of history and from civilizations around the globe. The Art of War, the King James Bible, The Origin of Species, and other works of literature, history, science, philosophy, political theory and religion offer powerful examples of how a single written work can spark revolutions, birth great world religions, spur scientific advancements, shape world economies, teach us new ways of thinking, and so much more."

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historyhistoryMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult

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Liked 36 books that changed the world? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked 36 books that changed the world. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. Printer's Error: Irreverent Stories from Book History Rebecca Romney, J. P. Romney · 2017 Shares books about, nonfiction, history
  2. Books on Fire: The Destruction of Libraries throughout History Lucien X. Polastron · 2004 Shares books about, nonfiction, history
  3. Books: A Living History Martyn Lyons · 2011 Shares books about, nonfiction, history
  4. The Book: A Cover-to-Cover Exploration of the Most Powerful Object of Our Time Keith Houston · 2016 Shares nonfiction, books about, history
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“If you want more of the same (history), start with these.”

  1. Desperate Hours: The Epic Rescue of the Andrea Doria Richard Goldstein · 2001
  2. Indo-European Language and Culture: An Introduction Benjamin W. Fortson IV · 2004
  3. Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage Michael R. Veach · 2013
  4. Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch, and Irish Whiskey Fred Minnick · 2013

“If it was the books about that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. The Book on the Bookshelf Henry Petroski · 1999
  2. A Little History of Literature John Sutherland · 2013
  3. Literary Hoaxes: An Eye-Opening History of Famous Frauds Melissa Katsoulis · 2010
  4. Books That Changed The World James Andrew Taylor · 2008

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. The Closing of the Western Mind: The Rise of Faith and the Fall of Reason Charles Freeman · 2002
  2. Religion in America: A Very Short Introduction Timothy Beal · 2008
  3. Einstein and Religion: Physics and Theology Max Jammer · 1999
  4. The Wonder That Was India: A Survey of the History and Culture of the Indian Sub-Continent before the coming of the Muslims Arthur Llewellyn Basham · 1954

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