Reading Inspires Ambition

The great use in reading is for self-discovery. Inspirational, character-making, life-shaping books are the main thing.

The greatest value of reading is self-discovery. The most important books inspire us, build character, and shape our lives.

Cotton Mather's "Essay to Do Good" influenced the whole career of Benjamin Franklin.

Cotton Mather's "Essay to Do Good" influenced Benjamin Franklin's entire career.

There are books that have raised the ideals and materially influenced entire nations.

Some books have raised the ideals of entire nations and significantly influenced them.

Who can estimate the value of books that spur ambition, that awaken slumbering possibilities?

Who can measure the value of books that inspire ambition and awaken hidden potential?

Are we ambitious to associate with people who inspire us to nobler deeds? Let us then read uplifting books, which stir us to make the most of ourselves.

Do we want to be around people who inspire us to do greater things? Then let us read uplifting books that inspire us to make the most of ourselves.

We all know how completely changed we sometimes are after reading a book which has taken a strong, vigorous hold upon us.

We all know how completely a book can change us when it takes a powerful hold on us.

Thousands of people have found themselves through the reading of some book, which has opened the door within them and given them the first glimpse of their possibilities. I know men and women whose whole lives have been molded, the entire trend of their careers completely changed, uplifted beyond their dreams by the books they have read.

Thousands of people have found themselves by reading a book. It opened a door within them and gave them their first glimpse of their potential. I know men and women whose lives have been shaped by the books they read. Those books completely changed the direction of their careers and lifted them beyond their dreams.

When Senator Petters of Alabama went to California on horseback in 1849, he took with him a Bible, Shakespeare, and Burns's poems. He said that those books read and thought about, on the great plains, forever after spoiled him for reading poorer books. "The silence, the solitude," he said, "and the strange flickering light of the camp fire, seemed to bring out the tremendous significance of those great books; and I treasure them to-day as my choicest possessions."

When Senator Petters of Alabama rode to California on horseback in 1849, he took a Bible, Shakespeare, and Burns's poems. He said that reading and thinking about those books on the Great Plains had forever spoiled lesser books for him. "The silence, the solitude," he said, "and the strange flickering light of the campfire seemed to bring out the tremendous significance of those great books. I treasure them today as my most prized possessions."

Marshall Field and other proprietors of the great business houses of Chicago petitioned the school authorities for improved instruction along moral lines, affirming that the boys needed religious ideas to make them more reliable in business affairs.

Marshall Field and other owners of major Chicago businesses asked school authorities to improve moral instruction. They said boys needed religious ideas to make them more reliable in business.

It has been said by President White of Cornell that,—"The great thing needed to be taught in this country is truth, simple ethics, the distinction between right and wrong. Stress should be laid upon what is best in biography, upon noble deeds and sacrifices, especially those which show that the greatest man is not the greatest orator, or the tricky politician. They are a curse; what we need is noble men. National loss comes as the penalty for frivolous boyhood and girlhood, that gains no moral stamina from wholesome books."

President White of Cornell once said, "The most important things we need to teach in this country are truth, simple ethics, and the difference between right and wrong. We should emphasize the best biographies and noble deeds and sacrifices. These should especially show that the greatest man is not the greatest speaker or the scheming politician. Such men are a curse. What we need is noble men. The nation suffers when boys and girls spend their youth on frivolous pursuits and gain no moral strength from wholesome books."

If youths learn to feed on the thoughts of the great men and women of all times, they will never again be satisfied with the common or low; they will never again be satisfied with mediocrity; they will aspire to something higher and nobler.

If young people learn to nourish their minds with the thoughts of great men and women from all times, they will never again be satisfied with what is common or low. They will never again be satisfied with mediocrity. They will aspire to something higher and nobler.

A day which is passed without treasuring up some good thought is not well spent. Every day is a leaf in the book of life. Do not waste a day any more than you would tear out leaves from the book of life.

A day spent without saving up a good thought is not well spent. Every day is a page in the book of life. Do not waste a day, just as you would not tear pages from the book of life.

The Bible, such manuals as "Daily Strength for Daily Needs," such books as Professor C. C. Everett's "Ethics for Young People"; Lucy Elliott Keeler's "If I Were a Girl Again"; "Beauty through Hygiene," by Dr. Emma F. Walker, such essays as Robert L. Stevenson's "Gentlemen" (in his "Familiar Studies of Men and Books") Munger's "On the Threshold"; John Ruskin's "Sesame and Lilies"—these are the books that make young men and maidens so trustworthy that the Marshall Fields and John Wanamakers want their aid in the conduct of great business concerns. Blessed are they who go much farther in later years, and who become familiar with those

The Bible is one such book. Others include manuals such as "Daily Strength for Daily Needs" and Professor C. C. Everett's "Ethics for Young People". There is also Lucy Elliott Keeler's "If I Were a Girl Again" and "Beauty through Hygiene" by Dr. Emma F. Walker. Other works include Robert L. Stevenson's essay "Gentlemen" (in his "Familiar Studies of Men and Books"), Munger's "On the Threshold", and John Ruskin's "Sesame and Lilies". These books make young men and women so trustworthy that people like Marshall Fields and John Wanamakers want their help running large businesses. Blessed are those who go much further in later years and become familiar with those

The readers who do not know the Concord philosopher Emerson, and the great names of antiquity, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Plato, have yet great pleasures to come.

Readers who do not yet know Emerson, the Concord philosopher, or the great thinkers of antiquity, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Plato, still have great pleasures ahead of them.

Aside from reading fiction, books of travel are of the best for mental diversion; then there are Nature Studies, and Science and Poetry,—all affording wholesome recreation, all of an uplifting character, and some of them opening up study specialties of the highest order, as in the great range of books classified as Natural Science.

Besides fiction, travel books are among the best for mental diversion. There are also nature studies, science, and poetry. All offer wholesome, uplifting recreation. Some also open the door to advanced fields of study, as in the wide range of natural science books.

The reading and study of poetry is much like the interest one takes in the beauties of natural scenery. Much of the best poetry is indeed a poetic interpretation of nature. Whittier and Longfellow and Bryant lead their readers to look on nature with new eyes, as Ruskin opened the eyes of Henry Ward Beecher.

Reading and studying poetry is much like enjoying the beauty of natural scenery. In fact, much of the best poetry is a poetic interpretation of nature. Whittier, Longfellow, and Bryant lead their readers to see nature with fresh eyes, just as Ruskin opened Henry Ward Beecher’s eyes.

A great deal of the best prose is in style and sentiment of a true poetic character, lacking only the metrical form. To become familiar with Tennyson and Shakespeare, and the brilliant catalogue of British poets is in itself a liberal education. Rolfe's Shakespeare is in handy volumes, and so edited as to be of most service. Palgrave's "Golden Treasury" of the best songs and lyrical poems in the English language was edited with the advice and collaboration of Tennyson. His "Children's Treasury" of lyrical poetry is most attractive. Emerson's Parnassus, and Whittier's "Three Centuries of Song" are excellent collections of the most famous poems of the ages.

Much of the best prose is truly poetic in style and feeling. It lacks only the metrical form of poetry. Becoming familiar with Tennyson, Shakespeare, and the brilliant range of British poets is a liberal education in itself. Rolfe's Shakespeare comes in convenient volumes and is edited to be as useful as possible. Palgrave edited "Golden Treasury", a collection of the best songs and lyrical poems in English, with Tennyson's advice and collaboration. His "Children's Treasury" of lyrical poetry is very appealing. Emerson's Parnassus and Whittier's "Three Centuries of Song" are excellent collections of the most famous poems of the ages.

Of Books of Travel, here are a dozen titles, where one might easily name twelve hundred:—

Here are a dozen travel books, though one could easily name twelve hundred:

Edmondo de Amicis,—"Holland and Its People," and his "Constantinople."

Edmondo de Amicis: "Holland and Its People" and "Constantinople."

Frank T. Bullen's "Cruise of the Cachelot Round the World After Sperm Wales."

Frank T. Bullen's "Cruise of the Cachelot Around the World in Search of Sperm Whales."

J. M. Hoppin's "Old England."

J. M. Hoppin's "Old England."

Clifton Johnson, "Among English Hedgerows."

Clifton Johnson, "Among English Hedgerows."

W. D. Howell's "Venetian Life"; "Italian Journeys."

W. D. Howell's "Venetian Life" and "Italian Journeys."

Irving's "Sketch Book," and the "Alhambra."

Irving's "Sketch Book" and "Alhambra."

Henry James, "Portraits of Places."

Henry James, "Portraits of Places."

Arthur Smith's "Chinese Characteristics," and especially his "Village Life in China."

Arthur Smith's "Chinese Characteristics," and especially his "Village Life in China."

It would be impossible to list books more interesting and more useful than most fiction, which may be called Nature Studies.

It would be impossible to list books that may be called Nature Studies and are more interesting and useful than most fiction.

I will name a few books that will certainly incite the reader to search for more:—

I will name a few books that will certainly inspire readers to look for more:

Ernest Ingersoll's "Book of the Ocean."

Ernest Ingersoll's "Book of the Ocean."

Professor E. S. Holder's "The Sciences," a reading book for children.

Professor E. S. Holder's "The Sciences," a reading book for children.

Jean Mace's "History of a Mouthful of Bread."

Jean Mace's "History of a Mouthful of Bread."

E. A. Martin's "Story of a Piece of Coal."

E. A. Martin's "Story of a Piece of Coal."

Professor Charles A. Young's "The Sun," revised edition 1895.

Professor Charles A. Young's "The Sun," revised edition, 1895.

Serviss' "Astronomy with an Opera-Glass," "Pleasures of the Telescope," "The Skies and the Earth."

Serviss' "Astronomy with an Opera-Glass," "Pleasures of the Telescope," "The Skies and the Earth."

Thoreau's "Walden; or Life in the Woods."

Thoreau's "Walden, or Life in the Woods."

Mrs. F. T. Parsons' (Smith) Dana. "According to Seasons"; talks about the flowers in the order of their appearance in the woods and fields. Describes wild flowers in order of blooming, with information about their haunts and habits. Also, by the same author, "How to Know the Wild Flowers". Describes briefly more than 400 varieties common east of Chicago, grouping them by color.

Mrs. F. T. Parsons' (Smith) Dana. "According to Seasons" discusses flowers in the order they appear in woods and fields. It describes wildflowers in the order they bloom, including where and how they grow. The same author also wrote "How to Know the Wild Flowers". It briefly describes more than 400 varieties common east of Chicago, grouping them by color.

Seton-Thompson's "Wild Animals I have Known"; of which 100,000 copies have been sold.

Seton-Thompson's "Wild Animals I have Known" has sold 100,000 copies.

F. A. Lucas' "Animals of the Past"

F. A. Lucas' "Animals of the Past"

Bradford Towey's "Birds in the Bush," and "Everyday Birds."

Bradford Towey's "Birds in the Bush," and "Everyday Birds."

President D. S. Jordan's "True Tales of Birds and Beasts."

President D. S. Jordan's "True Tales of Birds and Beasts."

D. L. Sharp's "A Watcher in the Woods."

D. L. Sharp's "A Watcher in the Woods."

W. H. Gibson's "Sharp Eyes."

W. H. Gibson's "Sharp Eyes."

M. W. Morley's "The Bee-people."

M. W. Morley's "The Bee-people."

Never before was a practical substitute for a college education at home made so cheap, so easy, and so attractive. Knowledge of all kinds is placed before us in a most attractive and interesting manner. The best of the literature of the world is found to-day in thousands of American homes where fifty years ago it could only have been obtained by the rich.

Never before has a practical alternative to a college education at home been so affordable, easy, and appealing. Knowledge of all kinds is presented to us in engaging and interesting ways. Today, the best literature from around the world can be found in thousands of American homes. Fifty years ago, only the rich could have obtained it.

What a shame it is that under such conditions as these an American should grow up ignorant, should be uneducated in the midst of such marvelous opportunities for self-improvement! Indeed, most of the best literature in every line to-day appears in the current periodicals, in the form of short articles. Many of our greatest writers spend a vast amount of time in the drudgery of travel and investigation in gathering material for these articles, and the magazine publishers pay thousands of dollars for what a reader can get for ten or fifteen cents. Thus the reader secures for a trifle in periodicals or books the results of months and often years of hard work and investigation of our greatest writers.

What a shame that, under such conditions, an American should grow up ignorant and uneducated, surrounded by such amazing opportunities for self-improvement! Indeed, most of the best writing in every field today appears as short articles in current magazines. Many of our greatest writers spend a great deal of time on the hard work of traveling and researching material for these articles. Magazine publishers pay thousands of dollars for what a reader can get for ten or fifteen cents. So, for very little money, readers can find the results of months and often years of hard work and research by our greatest writers in magazines or books.

A New York millionaire,—a prince among merchants,—took me over his palatial residence on Fifth Avenue, every room of which was a triumph of the architect's, of the decorator's, and of the upholsterer's art. I was told that the decorations of a single sleeping-room had cost ten thousand dollars. On the walls were paintings secured at fabulous prices, and about the rooms were pieces of massive and costly furniture, and draperies representing a small fortune, and carpets on which it seemed almost sacrilege to tread covered the floors. But there was scarcely a book in the house. He had expended a fortune for physical pleasures, comforts, luxury, and display. It was pitiful to think of the physical surfeit and mental starvation of the children of such a home as that. When I went out, he told me that he came to the city a poor boy, with all his worldly possessions done up in a little red bandana. "I am a millionaire," he said, "but I want to tell you that I would give half I have to-day for a decent education."

A New York millionaire, a prince among merchants, showed me around his palatial home on Fifth Avenue. Every room was a masterpiece of architecture, decoration, and upholstery. I was told that decorating just one bedroom had cost ten thousand dollars. Paintings bought at fabulous prices hung on the walls. The rooms held large, expensive pieces of furniture and drapes worth a small fortune. Carpets covered the floors, and it seemed almost sacrilegious to walk on them. But there was scarcely a book in the house. He had spent a fortune on physical pleasures, comfort, luxury, and display. It was pitiful to think of the children in such a home, so overfed physically and so starved mentally. As I was leaving, he told me that he had come to the city as a poor boy. All his worldly possessions had been wrapped in a little red bandana. "I am a millionaire," he said, "but I want to tell you that I would give half of what I have today for a decent education."

Many a rich man has confessed to confidential friends and his own heart that he would give much of his wealth,—all, if necessary,—to see his son a manly man, free from the habits which abundance has formed and fostered till they have culminated in sin and degradation and perhaps crime; and has realized that, in all his ample provision, he has failed to provide that which might have saved his son and himself from loss and torture,—good books.

Many a rich man has admitted to close friends and to himself that he would give much of his wealth to see his son become a manly man. He would give it all, if necessary. He longs to see his son free from habits that wealth encouraged and nurtured. Those habits have led to sin and degradation, and perhaps crime. He has also realized that, despite all he provided, he failed to provide good books. They might have saved his son and himself from loss and torment.

There is a wealth within the reach of the poorest mechanic and day-laborer in this country that kings in olden times could not possess, and that is the wealth of a well-read, cultured mind. In this newspaper age, this age of cheap books and periodicals, there is no excuse for ignorance, for a coarse, untrained mind. To-day no one is so handicapped, if he have health and the use of his faculties, that he can not possess himself of wealth that will enrich his whole life, and enable him to converse and mingle with the most cultured people. No one is so poor but that it is possible for him to lay hold of that which will broaden his mind, which will inform and improve him, and lift him out of the brute stage of existence into their god-like realm of knowledge.

Even the poorest mechanic or day laborer in this country can have a kind of wealth that kings once could not possess: a well-read, cultured mind. In this age of newspapers, cheap books, and magazines, there is no excuse for ignorance or a coarse, untrained mind. Today, no one with health and full use of their faculties faces obstacles too great to acquire this wealth. It can enrich their whole life and allow them to converse and mingle with the most cultured people. No one is so poor that they cannot find something to broaden their mind, inform and improve them, and lift them out of a brute existence into the godlike realm of knowledge.

"No entertainment is so cheap as reading," says Mary Wortley Montague; "nor any pleasure so lasting." Good books elevate the character, purify the taste, take the attractiveness out of low pleasures, and lift us upon a higher plane of thinking and living.

"No entertainment is as inexpensive as reading," says Mary Wortley Montague. "No pleasure lasts as long." Good books improve our character and refine our taste. They make low pleasures less appealing and raise our thinking and living to a higher level.

"A great part of what the British spend on books," says Sir John Lubbock, "they save in prisons and police."

“Much of what the British spend on books,” says Sir John Lubbock, “they save on prisons and police.”

It seems like a miracle that the poorest boy can converse freely with the greatest philosophers and scientists, statesmen, warriors, authors of all time with little expense, that the inmates of the humblest cabin may follow the stories of the nations, the epochs of history, the story of liberty, the romance of the world, and the course of human progress.

It seems like a miracle that even the poorest boy can converse freely with the greatest philosophers, scientists, statesmen, warriors, and authors of all time at little cost. It also seems miraculous that people in the humblest cabin can follow the stories of nations and the ages of history. They can follow the story of liberty, the romance of the world, and the course of human progress.

Have you just been to a well educated sharp-sighted employer to find work? You did not need to be at any trouble to tell him the names of the books you have read, because they have left their indelible mark upon your face and your speech. Your pinched, starved vocabulary, your lack of polish, your slang expressions, tell him of the trash you have given your precious time to. He knows that you have not rightly systemized your hours. He knows that thousands of young men and women whose lives are crowded to overflowing with routine work and duties, manage to find time to keep posted on what is going on in the world, and for systematic, useful reading.

Have you just gone to a well-educated, perceptive employer looking for work? You did not need to tell him the names of the books you have read. They have left a lasting mark on your face and your speech. Your limited vocabulary, lack of polish, and slang tell him about the trash you have spent your precious time reading. He knows you have not organized your time well. He knows that thousands of young men and women have lives overflowing with routine work and duties. Yet they manage to find time to keep up with the world and read useful books regularly.

Carlyle said that a collection of books is a university. What a pity that the thousands of ambitious, energetic men and women who missed their opportunities for an education at the school age, and feel crippled by their loss, fail to catch the significance of this, fail to realize the tremendous cumulative possibilities of that great life-improver that admirable substitute for a college or university education—reading.

Carlyle said that a collection of books is a university. Thousands of ambitious, energetic men and women missed their chance for an education when they were young. They feel held back by that loss. What a pity that they fail to grasp Carlyle’s point. They do not realize how much reading can improve their lives over time. Reading is an admirable substitute for a college or university education.

"Of the things which man can do or make here below," it was said by the sage of Chelsea, "by far the most momentous, wonderful, and worthy, are the things we call Books! Those poor bits of rag-paper with black ink on them; from the Daily Newspaper to the sacred Hebrew Book, what have they not done, what are they not doing?"

"Of all the things people can do or make in this world," said the sage of Chelsea, "by far the most important, wonderful, and worthy are what we call books! They are just scraps of rag paper with black ink on them. From the daily newspaper to the sacred Hebrew Book, what have books not done, and what are they not doing?"

President Schurmann of Cornell, points with pride to a few books in his library which he says he bought when a poor boy by going many a day without his dinner.

President Schurmann of Cornell proudly points to a few books in his library. He says he bought them as a poor boy by going without dinner for many days.

The great German Professor Oken was not ashamed to ask Professor Agassiz to dine with him on potatoes and salt, that he might save money for books.

The great German Professor Oken was not ashamed to invite Professor Agassiz to a dinner of potatoes and salt. This simple meal allowed Oken to save money for books.

King George III, used to say that lawyers do not know so much more law than other people; but they know better where to find it.

King George III used to say that lawyers don't know much more law than other people. But they know better where to find it.

A practical working knowledge of how to find what is in the book world, relating to any given point, is worth a vast deal from a financial point of view. And by such knowledge, one forms first an acquaintance with books, then friendship.

Knowing how to find information on any subject in books is worth a great deal financially. This knowledge helps you become acquainted with books, and then to form friendships with them.

"When I consider," says James Freeman Clarke, "what some books have done for the world, and what they are doing, how they keep up our hope, awaken new courage and faith, soothe pain, give an ideal of life to those whose homes are hard and cold, bind together distant ages and foreign lands, create new worlds of beauty, bring down truths from heaven,—I give eternal blessings for this gift."

“When I think about what some books have done for the world, and what they are doing, I am forever grateful for this gift,” says James Freeman Clarke. “They keep our hope alive and awaken new courage and faith. They soothe pain and offer a vision of life to those whose homes are hard and cold. They connect distant ages and foreign lands, create new worlds of beauty, and bring truths down from heaven.”

For the benefit of the younger readers we give below a list of forty juveniles.

For younger readers, we provide a list of forty books for young people below.

Aesop's "Fables."

Aesop's "Fables."

Louise M. Alcott's "Little Women," "Little Men," which stood at the top of a list of books chosen in eleven thousand elementary class-rooms in New York.

Louise M. Alcott's "Little Women" and "Little Men" topped a list of books chosen in eleven thousand New York elementary classrooms.

T. B. Aldrich's "Story of a Bad Boy."

T. B. Aldrich's "Story of a Bad Boy."

Anderson's "Fairy Tales."

Anderson's "Fairy Tales."

Amelia E. Barr's "The Bow of Orange Ribbon," a book for girls.

"The Bow of Orange Ribbon" by Amelia E. Barr is a book for girls.

"Black Beauty."

"Black Beauty."

E. S. Brooks, "True Story of General Grant."

E. S. Brooks, "True Story of General Grant."

Bulfinch's "Children's Lives of Great Men," "Age of Chivalry," and "Age of Fable."

Bulfinch's "Children's Lives of Great Men," "Age of Chivalry," and "Age of Fable."

Bullen's "Log of a Sea Waif."

Bullen's "Log of a Sea Waif."

Burnett's "Little Lord Fauntleroy," and "Sara Crewe," the latter a book for girls.

Burnett's "Little Lord Fauntleroy" and "Sara Crewe." "Sara Crewe" is a book for girls.

Butterworth's "Zig-Zag Journeys."

Butterworth's "Zig-Zag Journeys."

Carleton Coffin's, "Boys' of '76."

Carleton Coffin's "Boys' of '76."

Eva Lovett Carson's "The Making of a Girl."

Eva Lovett Carson's "The Making of a Girl."

Ralph Connor's "Gwen," a book for girls.

Ralph Connor's "Gwen," a book for girls.

Louis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," and "Through the Looking Glass."

Louis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass."

Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast."

Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast."

"De Amicin's Cuore," which has sold 200,000 in Italy.

"De Amicin's Cuore," which has sold 200,000 copies in Italy.

DeFoe's "Robinson Crusoe."

DeFoe's "Robinson Crusoe."

Mary Mapes Dodge, "Hans Brinker," or "The Silver Skates," "Life in Holland."

Mary Mapes Dodge, "Hans Brinker," or "The Silver Skates," "Life in Holland."

Eugene Field's "A Little Book of Profitable Tales." It has sold 200,000 copies.

Eugene Field's "A Little Book of Profitable Tales" has sold 200,000 copies.

Grimm's "Fairy Tales."

Grimm's "Fairy Tales."

Habberton's "Helen's Babies."

Habberton's "Helen's Babies."

E. E. Hale's "Boy Heroes."

E. E. Hale's "Boy Heroes."

Chandler Harris' "Little Mr. Thimblefinger and His Queer Country; What the Children Saw and Heard There." Fantastic tale interweaving negro animal stories and other Georgia folklore with modern inventions. "Mr. Rabbit At Home"; sequel to "Little Mr. Thimblefinger and His Queer Country." Animal stories told to children.

Chandler Harris' "Little Mr. Thimblefinger and His Queer Country; What the Children Saw and Heard There." A fantastic tale that weaves negro animal stories and other Georgia folklore together with modern inventions. "Mr. Rabbit At Home" is a sequel to "Little Mr. Thimblefinger and His Queer Country." It contains animal stories told to children.

Charles Kingsley's "Water Babies."

Charles Kingsley's "Water Babies."

Kipling's "Jungle Books," which have sold 175,000 copies.

Kipling's "Jungle Books," which have sold 175,000 copies.

Knox's "Boy Travelers."

Knox's "Boy Travelers."

Lanier's "Boy Froissart," and "Boy's King Arthur."

Lanier's "Boy Froissart" and "Boy's King Arthur."

Edward Lear's "Nonsense Books."

Edward Lear's "Nonsense Books."

Mabie's "Norse Stories."

Mabie's "Norse Stories."

Samuel's "From the Forecastle to the Cabin." The experiences of the author who ran away from home and shipped as cabin boy; points out dangers that beset a seafaring life.

Samuel's "From the Forecastle to the Cabin." The author describes running away from home and taking a job as a cabin boy. He points out the dangers of life at sea.

Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney's "Faith Gartney's Girlhood."

Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney's "Faith Gartney's Girlhood."

Kate Douglas Wiggin's "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm."

Kate Douglas Wiggin's "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm."

Not long ago President Eliot of Harvard College aroused widespread controversy over his selection of a library of books, which might be contained on a five-foot shelf. We append his selections as indicative of the choice of a great scholar and educator.

Not long ago, President Eliot of Harvard College sparked widespread controversy with his selection of books for a five-foot shelf. We include his selections as an example of the choices of a great scholar and educator.

The following sixteen titles may be had in Everyman's Library, cloth 350. net per volume; leather 70 c. net per volume:

The following sixteen titles are available in Everyman's Library. Each cloth volume costs 35 cents net, and each leather volume costs 70 cents net:

President Eliot's Five-Foot Shelf

President Eliot's Five-Foot Shelf

The following list of books is offered as suggestive of profitable lines of reading for all classes and tastes:

The following list suggests worthwhile reading for people of all backgrounds and tastes:

Books on Nature

Books on Nature

Novels Descriptive of American Life

Novels About American Life

Books Which Interpret American Ideals

Books That Explain American Ideals

Some of the Best Biographies

Some of the Best Biographies

Twenty-four American Biographies

Twenty-four American Biographies

The books enumerated have been selected as examples of the best in their respective classes. Even those books of fiction chosen, primarily, for entertainment, are instructive and educational. Whether the reader's taste runs to history, biography, travel, nature study, or fiction, he may select any one of the books named in these respective classifications and be assured of possessing a volume worthy of reading and ownership.

The books listed have been selected as examples of the best in their categories. Even the novels chosen primarily for entertainment are instructive and educational. Readers may prefer history, biography, travel, nature study, or fiction. Whatever their taste, they can choose any book listed in those categories with confidence. Each one is worth reading and owning.

It is the author's hope and desire that the list of books he has given, limited as it is, may prove of value to those seeking self-education, and that the books may encourage the disheartened, stimulate ambition, and serve as stepping stones to higher ideals and nobler purposes in life.

The author hopes that his book list, limited as it is, will help those seeking to educate themselves. He also hopes the books will encourage those who are discouraged and inspire ambition. He hopes they will serve as stepping stones to higher ideals and nobler purposes in life.