Your Gateway to The Great Books
The great books have shaped our world and the lives of people living in that world, and we created a place where anyone can read and enjoy these works.
There won’t be any tests here. There won’t be any essays to write. This is a community for people who want to talk about things that matter.
Why GBGD?
Reading the great books can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we created a community where you can:
Gain Confidence
Discuss Big Ideas
Get “Unstuck”
as a reader, thinker, speaker, and listener.
in a way that fits your lifestyle and availability.
with the guidance of experienced readers and guides.
Gain Confidence
as a reader, thinker, speaker, and listener.
Discuss Big Ideas
in a way that fits your lifestyle and availability.
Get “Unstuck”
with the guidance of experienced readers and guides.
What Do We Read?
It’s a great question. There have been many people who have tried to compile the greatest books in history.
Many programs begin with the Harvard Classics, an overview of the greatest poetry, philosophy, and history the west has to offer.
While 90% of our reading list contains these books, our experienced guides wanted to include other important works ranging from eastern philosophy to short stories and essays.
The best way for you to see what we mean is to (check out one of our intro courses, join one of our free community events, look at the books in our reading list, “just get started!”)
What Do We Read?
It’s a great question. There have been many people who have tried to compile the greatest books in history.
Many programs begin with the Harvard Classics, an overview of the greatest poetry, philosophy, and history the west has to offer.
While 90% of our reading list contains these books, our experienced guides wanted to include other important works ranging from eastern philosophy to short stories and essays.
The best way for you to see what we mean is to (check out one of our intro courses, join one of our free community events, look at the books in our reading list, “just get started!”)
Where Do You Start?
So, you want to dip your toe into the great books? (Or maybe you’re ready to take the plunge!) There are several ways for you to get started, all designed to fit your lifestyle and availability:
Attend a Free Community Event
Attend a Free Community Event
We like to read and talk about short works (5-30 pages) with anyone who is interested! This is a great chance to learn what we’re all about.
Event #1
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Event #2
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Event #3
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Event #1
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Event #2
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Event #3
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Sign-up For An Upcoming Course
Sign-up For An Upcoming Course
Do you want to explore a little more? Or perhaps deep dive into a certain topic? Here are our upcoming courses:
Event #1
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Event #2
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Event #3
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Event #1
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Event #2
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Event #3
Free – October 11th, 2024
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus, Aurora Borealis, Veni Vedi Vici.
Lorum Ipsum, Senatus Popolusque Romanus.
Subscribe to Our GBGD Core Conversation Program
Are you ready to read all of the great books? Or maybe you’re just curious to learn more? AWESOME! You can learn more about our program and join here:
Subscribe to Our Full Great Books Program
Are you ready to read all of the great books? Or maybe you’re just curious to learn more? AWESOME! You can learn more about our program and join here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Reading the great books can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we created a community where you can:
Who can read the great books?
Anyone can read these books. Even if you aren’t the strongest reader, even if you haven’t read in years.
These books are for everyone, and we read them in an unpretentious way. Most of our members are not academics, and many of them don’t have college educations.
However, these books will challenge you. They can sound a little different, and have big ideas.
It’s our mission to make these books approachable. Our experienced guides know how to guide you through challenging readings to help anyone get the most out of them.
When and where are we meeting?
We meet online and have members all over the world. This is the best way for us to bring together like minded individuals on a schedule that works for busy people. The online format also enables us to use note taking and small group organization that just aren’t possible in person.
The frequency of meetings depends on how you choose to get involved. Our seminar program is a once monthly meeting, and our special seminars come in weekly and monthly formats. These meetings are all typically in the evenings in the U.S. time zones, but, if you want to get involved, and these times don’t work for you, please contact [email protected]
Will I feel stupid when we read and discuss these books?
Yes, and no.
These books are for everyone, and we read them in an unpretentious way. Most of our members are not academics, and many of them don’t have college educations.
However, these books will challenge you. They can sound a little different, and have big ideas.
It’s our mission to make these books approachable. Our experienced guides know how to guide you through challenging readings to help anyone get the most out of them.
What are the other members like?
Most of our members are not academics, and many of them don’t have college educations. The live all over the world, and have a variety of hobbies, interests, faiths, professions, and backgrounds.
The thing that brings all of us together is our common goal to discuss the big ideas together in an honest and inquisitive way.
Will I do more than just read?
Our members often say that they “came for the books, but stay for the people.”
The thing that they enjoy most about our community is our discussions. They love that we have a cultivated community where people can comfortably discuss the big ideas – even if they are touchy subjects in your everyday life.