Classics
Explore books in the Classics category
146 books in this category
The Odyssey
Homer
An ancient Greek epic poem detailing Odysseus’s journey home, exploring themes of perseverance, adventure, and heroism.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
A classic novel depicting the decadence of the Roaring Twenties, exploring themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream.
The Republic
Plato
A foundational philosophical text discussing justice, the ideal state, and the role of the philosopher-king in society.
The Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith
A seminal work in economics that lays out the principles of free markets, division of labor, and the 'invisible hand' guiding economic activity.
The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
A novella about an aging fisherman's epic battle with a giant marlin, symbolizing perseverance and personal triumph.
The Prince
Niccolò Machiavelli
A classic treatise on political power, exploring strategies for gaining and maintaining control.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
A landmark novel in magical realism, chronicling the multi-generational story of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
A classic novel addressing racial injustice and moral growth in the Deep South, seen through the eyes of a young girl.
The Oxford Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
A complete collection of Shakespeare’s plays, with analysis and commentary on language, themes, and cultural impact.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Alexandre Dumas
A tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption, following the journey of Edmond Dantès.
The Master and Margarita
Mikhail Bulgakov
A satirical novel blending fantasy and reality, exploring themes of power, freedom, and good vs. evil.
Stranger in a Strange Land
Robert A. Heinlein
A science fiction novel about a human raised by Martians, exploring social norms, religion, and human behavior.
The Godfather
Mario Puzo
A classic novel about the powerful Corleone crime family, exploring themes of loyalty, power, and family.
Letters from a Stoic
Lucius Seneca
A collection of philosophical letters offering insights into Stoicism, ethics, and resilience in the face of adversity.
The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger
A classic novel about teenage alienation and rebellion, following the iconic character Holden Caulfield.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Milan Kundera
A philosophical novel exploring love, freedom, and identity against the backdrop of Soviet-era Czechoslovakia.
East of Eden
John Steinbeck
A novel exploring family, morality, and identity in California's Salinas Valley, loosely retelling the story of Cain and Abel.
History of the Peloponnesian War
Thucydides
An ancient historical account of the war between Athens and Sparta, providing insights into power, politics, and strategy.
Lord of the Flies
William Golding
A novel about a group of boys stranded on an island who descend into savagery, exploring themes of civilization and human nature.
The Iliad
Homer
An ancient Greek epic poem about the Trojan War, exploring themes of honor, heroism, and fate.
On the Genealogy of Morals and Ecce Homo
Friedrich Nietzsche
Nietzsche’s philosophical exploration of morality, values, and self-identity, questioning societal norms.
Beyond Good And Evil
Friedrich Nietzsche
A foundational philosophical text questioning conventional morality and exploring themes of power and individualism.
Goodnight Moon
Margaret Wise Brown
A beloved children's book about bedtime, known for its calming rhymes and simple illustrations.
Catch-22
Joseph Heller
A satirical novel set in World War II, critiquing bureaucracy and the absurdity of war.
On the Shortness of Life
Lucius Seneca
A Stoic classic reflecting on time, the value of life, and the importance of living purposefully.
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak
A classic children’s book about imagination, self-expression, and emotional growth, following the journey of a young boy named Max.
Charlotte's Web
E. B White
A classic children’s story about friendship and sacrifice, following the bond between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte.
A Manual for Living
Epictetus
A classic Stoic text offering advice on resilience, self-discipline, and leading a virtuous life.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Edward Gibbon
A comprehensive history of the Roman Empire's decline, examining the causes behind its fall and lasting influence.
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Anonymous
An ancient Mesopotamian epic poem following the adventures of Gilgamesh, exploring themes of friendship, mortality, and heroism.
The Complete Essays
Michel de Montaigne
A collection of philosophical essays exploring themes such as friendship, happiness, and human nature, foundational to modern thought.
The Brothers Karamazov
Fyodor Dostoevsky
A philosophical novel about faith, doubt, and morality, centered on a murder mystery within a troubled Russian family.
The Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck
A novel about a family's migration during the Great Depression, highlighting issues of poverty, injustice, and resilience.
Flowers for Algernon
Daniel Keyes
A science fiction novel about a mentally disabled man who undergoes experimental surgery to increase his intelligence, exploring identity and ethics.
The Glass Bead Game
Hermann Hesse
A philosophical novel about intellectual pursuits and self-discovery, set in a fictional, utopian society.
All Quiet on the Western Front
Erich Maria Remarque
A powerful novel depicting the horrors of World War I from a German soldier’s perspective, focusing on trauma and loss.
The Idiot
Fyodor Dostoevsky
A novel following the life of a noble but naive man, exploring themes of morality, innocence, and society’s cruelty.
Slaughterhouse-Five
Kurt Vonnegut
A novel blending science fiction and anti-war themes, following a soldier's experiences in World War II and his existential reflections.
The Gay Science
Friedrich Nietzsche
A philosophical work exploring themes of individuality, morality, and the concept of eternal recurrence.
The Way of Life, According to Laotzu
Witter Bynner
A poetic translation of Lao Tzu's *Tao Te Ching*, emphasizing harmony with nature and inner peace.
The Origin of Species
Charles Darwin
The foundational text on evolutionary biology, introducing the theory of natural selection.
Candide
Voltaire
A satirical novel following the naive protagonist Candide on his misadventures, critiquing optimism and society.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde
A novel about a man who remains young while his portrait ages, exploring themes of vanity, morality, and the nature of beauty.
Crime and Punishment
Fyodor Dostoevsky
A philosophical novel about a man who commits murder and grapples with guilt, exploring themes of morality and redemption.
Moby Dick
Herman Melville
A novel about the obsessive quest of Captain Ahab to hunt the great white whale, exploring themes of fate and revenge.
Winnie-the-Pooh
A. A. Milne
A beloved children’s book following the adventures of Pooh and his friends, highlighting themes of friendship and curiosity.
I, Robot
Isaac Asimov
A collection of sci-fi stories about robots and artificial intelligence, exploring ethical and philosophical implications.
As I Lay Dying
William Faulkner
A Southern Gothic novel about a family’s journey to bury their matriarch, exploring themes of family, identity, and mortality.
Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison
A novel about a Black man’s experiences with race and identity in America, highlighting themes of invisibility and self-discovery.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ernest Hemingway
A novel set during the Spanish Civil War, following an American volunteer as he grapples with love, duty, and mortality.
The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious
Carl Jung
Explores Jung’s theories on universal archetypes and the collective unconscious, foundational to Jungian psychology.
Cry, the Beloved Country
Alan Paton
A novel set in apartheid-era South Africa, exploring themes of injustice, family, and reconciliation.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
A classic novel about a young girl’s fantastical journey in Wonderland, blending whimsy and wordplay.
In Search of Lost Time
Marcel Proust
A multi-volume novel exploring memory, time, and identity, often considered one of the greatest works of modern literature.
On the Nature of Things
Lucretius
An ancient Roman poem exploring Epicurean philosophy, covering atoms, the soul, and the natural world.
The Razor's Edge
W. Somerset Maugham
A novel following a man’s search for meaning and enlightenment, questioning materialism and conventional success.
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
A tragedy about the Prince of Denmark grappling with revenge, mortality, and betrayal.
Leaves of Grass
Walt Whitman
A collection of poetry celebrating individuality, nature, and the human spirit.
Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury
A dystopian novel about a future where books are banned, exploring themes of censorship and conformity.
Zorba the Greek
Nikos Kazantzakis
A novel about the friendship between a scholarly writer and a free-spirited Greek, celebrating life and the human spirit.
Walden
Henry David Thoreau
A philosophical reflection on simple living, nature, and self-sufficiency, based on the author’s time at Walden Pond.
Great Expectations
Charles Dickens
A coming-of-age novel about an orphan named Pip, exploring themes of wealth, love, and identity.
Aeneid
Virgil
An epic poem recounting the journey of Aeneas after the fall of Troy, a foundational work in Western literature.
The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World
Edward Shepherd Creasy
Analyzes fifteen battles that shaped world history, examining their causes and consequences.
The Metamorphosis
Franz Kafka
A novella about a man who wakes up transformed into a giant insect, exploring alienation and identity.
The Trial
Franz Kafka
A novel about a man inexplicably arrested and prosecuted by an unreachable authority, exploring themes of bureaucracy and existentialism.
War And Peace
Leo Tolstoy
An epic novel set during the Napoleonic Wars, exploring themes of love, war, and the interconnectedness of society.
Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe
A novel about the impact of colonialism on a Nigerian village, focusing on the life of a local leader.
Ficciones
Jorge Luis Borges
A collection of philosophical short stories that explore themes of infinity, reality, and identity.
20000 Leagues Under the Sea
Jules Verne
A classic adventure novel following Captain Nemo and his submarine Nautilus, exploring underwater wonders and dangers.
The Quiet American
Graham Greene
A novel set in Vietnam, exploring themes of innocence, responsibility, and moral ambiguity in the context of colonialism.
Peter Pan
J. M. Barrie
A classic children’s novel about the adventures of Peter Pan, Wendy, and the Lost Boys in Neverland.
Democracy in America
Alexis de Tocqueville
A classic analysis of American democracy, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and social implications.
Don Quixote
Miguel De Cervantes
A classic novel about a nobleman’s fantastical adventures, exploring themes of idealism and reality.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Betty Smith
A coming-of-age novel about a young girl growing up in poverty in early 20th-century Brooklyn.
Under the Volcano
Malcolm Lowry
A novel set in Mexico about an alcoholic British consul, exploring themes of despair, love, and self-destruction.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Agatha Christie
A classic murder mystery featuring detective Hercule Poirot, known for its twist ending.
Curtain
Agatha Christie
The final case of Hercule Poirot, where he faces a complex mystery involving deception and murder.
Gaudy Night
Dorothy L. Sayers
A mystery novel set in an all-female college at Oxford, where detective Harriet Vane investigates a series of disturbing incidents.
A Prayer for Owen Meany
John Irving
A novel about faith, destiny, and friendship, following the life of a unique and unforgettable character, Owen Meany.
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
A classic novel about friendship and hardship during the Great Depression, following two displaced workers.
Paradise Lost
John Milton
An epic poem about the biblical story of the Fall of Man, exploring themes of free will and redemption.
The Confessions
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau’s introspective account of his life, offering insights into his thoughts on society, identity, and morality.
The Makers of Rome
Plutarch
A collection of biographies of Roman leaders, exploring their virtues, achievements, and moral lessons.
Essays
Plutarch
A collection of Plutarch's essays, covering topics related to ethics, politics, and human nature.
Sixteen Satires
Juvenal
A collection of satirical poems critiquing Roman society, touching on themes of corruption, greed, and hypocrisy.
The Red and the Black
Stendhal
A novel about a young man’s ambition and romantic entanglements in post-Napoleonic France, exploring themes of social mobility.
On Sparta
Plutarch
Biographies of notable Spartans, highlighting their values, military prowess, and contributions to Greek history.
The Charterhouse of Parma
Stendhal
A novel about an Italian nobleman’s life and love affairs against the backdrop of European political unrest.
The Rig Veda
Anonymous
One of the oldest texts in human history, containing hymns and religious verses central to early Indian spiritual practices.
The Snowy Day
Ezra Jack Keats
A children’s picture book about a young boy’s experiences in the snow, celebrating urban childhood and diversity.
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
A classic novel about the complex social and romantic entanglements of the Bennet family, particularly Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë
A gothic novel exploring intense, tragic relationships and the destructive power of love on the Yorkshire moors.
The Art of Happiness
Epicurus
A philosophical treatise on achieving happiness through simplicity, self-reflection, and moderation.
The Western Canon
Harold Bloom
A defense of classic literature, exploring works Bloom considers essential to Western culture.
Lives of the Eminent Philosophers
Diogenes Laertius
A collection of biographies of ancient Greek philosophers, providing insights into their lives and philosophies.
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
A collection of Samuel Johnson's essays and writings, showcasing his reflections on literature, society, and human nature.
The Complete Greek Tragedies
David Grene
A collection of ancient Greek tragedies, including works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, translated into English.
A Farewell to Arms
Ernest Hemingway
A classic novel about love and loss set against the backdrop of World War I.
Selected Epigrams
Martial
A collection of witty, often satirical poems by the Roman poet Martial, reflecting on Roman society.
The Beautiful and Damned
F. Scott Fitzgerald
A novel following a young couple’s decadent lifestyle in 1920s New York, exploring themes of wealth, love, and moral decay.
Brideshead Revisited
Evelyn Waugh
A novel about faith, love, and friendship, centered on an aristocratic English family and their relationship with the narrator.
Mythology
Edith Hamilton
A retelling of ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse myths, providing insights into classical mythology.
Essays
George Orwell
A collection of Plutarch's essays, covering topics related to ethics, politics, and human nature.
The Landmark Herodotus
Herodotus
A comprehensive edition of *The Histories*, detailing ancient cultures and events, with maps and commentary.
Plutarch's Lives Volume 1
Plutarch
Biographical accounts of notable Greeks and Romans, providing insights into character and historical events.
Plutarch's Lives Volume 2
Plutarch
Continuation of *Lives*, with biographical sketches that explore leadership, morality, and ambition.
Rebecca
Daphne du Maurier
A Gothic novel about a young bride haunted by the legacy of her husband’s first wife in an eerie mansion.
The Tao of Power
R.L. Wing
An interpretation of the *Tao Te Ching*, providing insights into ancient Chinese philosophy and wisdom.
The Trial of Socrates
I. F. Stone
Examines the historical and philosophical reasons behind Socrates' trial and death sentence in ancient Athens.
An Outline of Psycho-Analysis
Sigmund Freud
A summary of Freud’s psychoanalytic theories, discussing the unconscious, repression, and human behavior.
The Annotated Alice
Lewis Carroll
An annotated edition of *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland* and *Through the Looking-Glass*, offering context and insights into Carroll’s work.
Civilization and Its Discontents
Sigmund Freud
Examines the conflict between human instinct and societal expectations, exploring themes of repression and dissatisfaction.
Beowulf
Seamus Heaney
A modern translation of the classic Old English epic poem, recounting the hero’s battles against monsters.
Very Good, Jeeves!
PG Wodehouse
A collection of humorous short stories featuring the bumbling Bertie Wooster and his clever valet, Jeeves.
The Will to Power
Friedrich Nietzsche
A posthumous collection of Nietzsche's notes on philosophy, power, and morality, exploring existential themes.
The Long Goodbye
Raymond Chandler
A classic hard-boiled detective novel following Philip Marlowe, blending mystery with themes of friendship and betrayal.
Dune
Frank Herbert
A sci-fi epic set in a desert world, exploring themes of power, religion, and ecology.
Fun with Dick and Jane
Dick and Jane
A classic children’s reader that uses simple language to teach basic reading skills.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Ken Kesey
A novel set in a mental institution, exploring themes of authority, freedom, and rebellion.
Les Miserables
Victor Hugo
A classic novel set in 19th-century France, exploring themes of justice, redemption, and the human spirit.
The Interpretation of Dreams
Sigmund Freud
A seminal work on dream interpretation, where Freud introduces his theories on the unconscious.
Flatland
Edwin A. Abbott
A classic novella exploring dimensions and societal structures through the story of a two-dimensional world.
A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
A classic novel set during the French Revolution, exploring themes of sacrifice, justice, and redemption.
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe
A novel that depicts the harsh realities of slavery in America, helping to fuel the abolitionist movement.
The Complete Tales of Winnie-The-Pooh
A. A. Milne
Classic tales of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends, filled with whimsy, humor, and life lessons.
Curious George
H. A. Rey
Classic children’s book following the curious adventures of George the monkey.
Jane Eyre
Charlotte Bronte
A classic novel following the life of an orphaned girl and her journey to independence and love.
Dune
Frank Herbert
A sci-fi epic set in a desert world, exploring themes of power, religion, and ecology.
I, Claudius
Robert Graves
A historical novel about the life of the Roman Emperor Claudius, filled with intrigue and betrayal.
King Lear
William Shakespeare
A tragic play about power, loyalty, and madness, centering on King Lear's downfall.
Naked Lunch
William S. Burroughs
A surreal and controversial novel exploring addiction, control, and societal decay.
The Art of Happiness
Dalai Lama
A philosophical treatise on achieving happiness through simplicity, self-reflection, and moderation.
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
Jane Austen
Collection of novels by the iconic author, exploring social class and relationships.
Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople
Geoffrey de Villehardouin
First-hand account of the Fourth Crusade.
Little House in the Big Woods
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Memoir-based story of pioneer life in 19th-century America.
Essays and Aphorisms
Arthur Schopenhauer
Collection of Schopenhauer’s thoughts on human nature and philosophy.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain
Classic coming-of-age story set in the American South, following the adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Henry V
William Shakespeare
Historical play depicting the life of King Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt.
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
Carson McCullers
Novel examining isolation and human connection in the Deep South.
Maxims and Reflections
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Collection of Goethe’s insights and reflections on life, philosophy, and human nature.
A Hunger Artist
Franz Kafka
Short story exploring themes of isolation, art, and the human condition.
Treasure Island
Robert Louis Stevenson
Classic adventure novel about pirates and buried treasure.