By percentage, how many of the books you read and works you consulted in the last year were written before 1900?
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Poll Results
By percentage, how many of the books you read and works you consulted in the last year were written before 1900?
None Votes: 1
Some, but less than 25% Votes: 15
Between 25% and 50% Votes: 9
Between 51% and 75% Votes: 3
Over 75% Votes: 0
This poll was inspired by C. S. Lewis’ comment on reading old books: “It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between. If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones.”
For the whole section from which that quote is taken (a great read itself), look here: http://jollyblogger.typepad.com/jollyblogger/2005/10/c_s_lewis_on_th.ht…
For the whole section from which that quote is taken (a great read itself), look here: http://jollyblogger.typepad.com/jollyblogger/2005/10/c_s_lewis_on_th.ht…
My Blog: http://dearreaderblog.com
Cor meum tibi offero Domine prompte et sincere. ~ John Calvin
Also, if you have any favorite old books you’d like to share, please do.
This year (or so), my favorites have been:
The Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher, notes by Thomas Boston
Second Oration against the Arians by Athanasius
Confessions by Augustine
On First Principles (De Principiis) by Origen
This year (or so), my favorites have been:
The Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher, notes by Thomas Boston
Second Oration against the Arians by Athanasius
Confessions by Augustine
On First Principles (De Principiis) by Origen
My Blog: http://dearreaderblog.com
Cor meum tibi offero Domine prompte et sincere. ~ John Calvin
I do not read very many old books through, but I do consult a lot of old ones, albeit with modern technology. I look up a lot of things in the Talmud, and often refer to John Gill precisely because he brings in Jewish roots, my thing :) And I also like to look at Targums. So I would say a bit over 25%, which puts me in a hitherto uncharted polling position.
I think the question should have been worded, “Besides the Bible…” I think we all understood that, however.
Overall, in my opinion, the best commentaries have been written in modern times. The flowerly language or lack of conciseness in some of the older works get on my nerves.
I think the question should have been worded, “Besides the Bible…” I think we all understood that, however.
Overall, in my opinion, the best commentaries have been written in modern times. The flowerly language or lack of conciseness in some of the older works get on my nerves.
"The Midrash Detective"
Especially since I homeschool, and we read a lot of classics and memoirs. If I had to reduce it to percentage of non-fiction published before 1900, the number would definitely be under 25%.
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