A Christian Guide to the Classics – Review

To live wisely and happily, one must gain an education. An education requires knowledge of what it means to be a whole human being. Historically, many of the greatest minds considered reading the best books to be essential for gaining this understanding.

To get started, it helps to have a trusted guide. I recommend Leland Ryken’s. It’s a short definition and defense of the classics. Ryken emphasizes their entertainment value, shares why they should be read, how not to read them, and how to read them effectively. Moreover, he advises creating a personal list of classics and shares recommendations.

The book is concise, well-written, and features memorable quotes from classic writers and critics, including Horace, Augustine, T.S. Eliot, and C.S. Lewis.

Ryken is a literary legend. He describes key works, such as John Milton’s Paradise Lost, but also categorizes the entire array of classic books and poetry, helping make sense of it. He dedicates chapters to the Bible, Christian classics, and secular classics, revealing their significance.

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Finally, Ryken emphasizes that classic literature helps one make sense of life, human experience, and live well. I appreciated his emphasis on the enjoyment that great books bring to the reader. This is a book a high school student could greatly benefit from.