Great Books refers to a curated collection of foundational texts from Western civilization used in classical education, where students learn by engaging directly with primary source works rather than textbooks.
What are the Great Books?
The Great Books approach centers education around direct engagement with foundational texts that have shaped history, philosophy, literature, science, and culture. Rather than learning about ideas through textbooks or commentaries, students read the original works themselves, participating in what Mortimer Adler called the "Great Conversation" of ideas spanning millennia. This literature-based model originated at Columbia University in 1921 and was developed further by Adler and University of Chicago president Robert Hutchins. In 1952, Adler compiled the monumental Great Books of the Western World, 54 volumes containing 443 works by 74 authors. The approach has become central to modern classical education and classical homeschooling.
Key Takeaways
- Students read primary sources directly rather than textbook summaries or commentaries
- Works span ancient to modern eras: Homer, Plato, Shakespeare, founding documents, classic novels
- Socratic discussion is central to Great Books learning
- Several programs serve homeschoolers including Great Books Academy and Nautilus Homeschool
- The approach develops critical thinking by engaging with ideas that shaped civilization
What Books Are Included
Great Books lists vary but typically span multiple eras and disciplines. Ancient and Classical works include Homer's *Iliad and Odyssey, Plato's dialogues, Aristotle's philosophical writings, Euclid's mathematics, and Augustine's theology. Medieval and Renaissance selections include Dante, Chaucer, and Shakespeare. Enlightenment and Modern works encompass founding documents, classic novels, philosophical treatises, and scientific works. Categories covered include fiction, history, poetry, natural science, mathematics, philosophy, drama, politics, religion, economics, and ethics. Classical Conversations offers a 117 Must-Read Books list, while the 1000 Good Books List* provides age-appropriate selections from pre-readers through high school.
How Homeschoolers Use Great Books
Great Books education breaks down artificial divisions between history and literature. Instead of memorizing facts about the past, students interact with the ideas of the past directly. Socratic discussions are central, with students engaging in round-table conversations exploring meaning. Some educators recommend waiting until high school for full Great Books programs when students have rhetoric-level maturity. Younger students can read simplified versions or age-appropriate selections from comprehensive lists. Many families use living books throughout elementary years, building toward full Great Books engagement in high school.
Programs for Homeschoolers
Great Books Academy offers complete K-12 homeschool curriculum with weekly live Socratic discussions online. Nautilus Homeschool provides secular, great books-based curriculum at $35-49 monthly. Homeschool Connections offers online literature courses. Beautiful Feet Books handpicks timeless literature supporting Great Books education. Many families build their own Great Books reading lists, using resources like the 1000 Good Books List or combining curricula. Charter schools in some states provide reimbursement for Great Books materials and programs.
The Bottom Line
The Great Books approach offers homeschoolers something textbooks cannot: direct encounter with the ideas that shaped civilization. Students develop critical thinking by engaging with primary sources rather than secondhand summaries. While implementing a full Great Books curriculum requires commitment, the approach can be adapted to any homeschool. Start with age-appropriate selections, incorporate Socratic discussion, and build toward more challenging works as students mature. The goal isn't just reading old books but joining a conversation across centuries.
