Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Great Conversation


I am currently reading "The Great Conversation" by Richard Hutchins, which I believe is where Oliver DeMille got many of his ideas for "A Thomas Jefferson Education". It thoroughly explains how our educational system was drastically changed from a liberal arts education to an occupational training and social integration program. It is a very enlightening read and I highly suggest everyone read this short book. See this article in TIME magazine from 1953.

My newest addition to my list of books to read (drum roll please!)...the "Great Books of the Western World". I heard about a reading list for getting the Great Books read in ten years...yea, that is what I thought too! I must be crazy! I found several books to be the same as on the George Wythe University required reading list (which is part of my current compass for learning), so I figure many of them will overlap. I needed some kind of goal to work towards and this list gives me several ideas.

Here is a link to the check-off list for the Great Books of the Western World in ten years. I found the list at The Great Conversation Reading Group, which contains a combination of version 1 and version 2 books, and made it into a checksheet. I also found a similar listing at The Great Ideas Program, but that list only had version 1. There is also a Yahoo Group here.

Here is a link to what is available online for free for the Great Books of the Western World. I found the entire set at my local library to read for free! Of course, I did not bring it all 60 volumes home to read in the next three weeks. LOL!

2 comments:

  1. Very cool! I'll need to see if I can find that book. I've started the Great Books too. I'm using the list off of the School of Abraham. I think they are a little different. Good luck with your books. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I love reading!

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  2. "The Great Conversation" is in Book 1 of the Great Books of the Western World. It basically sets up the premise for why they compiled the books, the editor's feelings on the need for everyone to get a Liberal Arts Education, and includes plans for reading the books.

    I'll have to look at the School of Abraham's list. I know I browsed through it several months ago.

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