Book Description: In these inspiring essays about why we read,
Proust explores all the pleasures and trials that we take from
books, as well as explaining the beauty of Ruskin and his work,
and the joys of losing yourself in literature as a child.
Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have
transformed the way we see ourselves � and each other. They have
inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have
enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have
enriched lives � and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the
works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries
whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.