Heritage of Western Civilization

From the preface. It is hoped by this means to introduce the student to virtually all the names he should be expected to remember as he pursues his course of study. This seems to be a laudable educational aim, but it tends to fall between two stools. on the one hand, such a book provides many names and little by which to remember those names. On the other hand, it forces the editors to use such short selections that the quality of the work of the author and the intent of his writing tend to be lost, again leaving the student with little or nothing.