Volume 2 of the Library of the World's Best Literature contains a diverse selection of works from ancient to modern times, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of literature throughout history. The collection showcases the timeless themes and ideas that have captivated readers for generations, offering a glimpse into different cultures and perspectives.

The variety of genres and styles included in this volume makes it a rich and engaging read for anyone interested in literature. The inclusion of lesser-known works alongside more famous pieces adds depth and dimension to the collection, making it a valuable resource for both casual readers and scholars alike.

While some may find the sheer volume of material daunting, the editors have done an excellent job of organizing the works in a way that enhances the reading experience. Whether you're looking for classic poetry, compelling essays, or thought-provoking short stories, this volume has something for everyone.

Overall, Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern volume 2 is a must-have for anyone interested in exploring the vast world of literature. Its comprehensive selection of works and thoughtful curation make it a valuable addition to any bookshelf.

Book Description:

The “Library of the World’s Best Literature, Ancient and Modern”, is a work of enormous proportions. Setting out with the simple goal of offering “American households a mass of good reading”, the editors drew from literature of all times and all kinds what they considered the best pieces of human writing, and compiled an ambitious collection of 45 volumes (with a 46th being an index-guide). Besides the selection and translation of a huge number of poems, letters, short stories and sections of books, the collection offers, before each chapter, a short essay about the author or subject in question. In many cases, chapters contemplate not one author, but certain groups of works, organized by nationality, subject or period; there is, thus, a chapter on Accadian-Babylonian literature, one on the Holy Grail, and one on Chansons, for example.

The result is a collection that holds the interest, for the variety of subjects and forms, but also as a means of first contact with such famous and important authors that many people have heard of, but never read, such as Abelard, Dante or Lord Byron. According to the editor Charles Dudley Warner, this collection “is not a library of reference only, but a library to be read.”

This second volume contains chapters from “Anacreon” to “Auerbach”.