Reading the Western classics is delightful, but it's also an acquired taste. Invitation to the Classics opens the world of great literature to older students and adults by providing the tools needed to understand and navigate the often chaotic waters known collectively as "the classics."
Important authors are presented in short chapters, with biographical information, significant works, and analysis. There are plenty of beautiful pictures, but there's more information than you can digest in one reading; take as long as necessary, and perhaps longer, to really absorb everything.
The authors and editors are staunch Christians, and they give reasons a Christian ought to read great books. They also provide plenty of cultural information, so readers can understand the context of works and authors rather than just the works themselves.
Whether you're an adult who wants to rediscover great books, a parent wanting a literature course for high schoolers, or a high school or college student wanting a solid Christian perspective, Invitation to the Classics is a superb choice. You'll be given the tools to understand and enjoy great books in a way that illuminates ourselves, our world, and our faith.
This is best used in a group setting. Because many hard concepts (often anti-Christian) are introduced, discussing what you've read is essential for developing a response. The authors do such a fine job of comparing everything to Scripture, however, that you can easily use this guide on your own, building your Christian worldview, and your understanding and appreciation of classic literature.
Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews
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