FROM OUR EDITORS

In 1995, The New York Public Library celebrated its centennial with an exhibition entitled Books of the Century, highlighting 159 of the most significant works of the past hundred years. Arranged in eleven topical categories, the eclectic collection ranges across acknowledged masterpieces to include poetry, plays, scientific treatises, biographies, memoirs, essays, art, pulp fiction, self-help, etiquette, cooking, and children's favorites. This companion volume lists these 159 works -- plus eight more titles (from Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot to Jack Kerouac's On the Road) which were later added to the exhibit as a result of visitor feedback. Each entry includes a brief description of the work and some insightful commentary on its literary or historical importance. A twelfth category, "Favorites of Childhood and Youth," has also been added to this book to more fully reflect our affection for the books we read growing up. Black-and-white illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

About the Author

Evelyn Allen Johnson was born and educated in the suburbs of Pittsburg, P.A.. Nursing and writing are among her greatest loves. She is a Registered Nurse, Cum Laude. After graduating from Howard University's School of Nursing, formerly Freedmen's Hospital School of Nursing, she later obtained a BSN and PHN from California State University at Los Angeles. She has vast nursing experience including Public School Nursing and Nursing Administration

She is an Award winning author, having received the Vassie D. Wright Award for her novel, "My Neighbor's Island." Mrs. Johnson has also written numerous other works, including a book of poetry, "A Nurse's Notes." She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Raymond, an Attorney. They are the parents of one daughter, and two sons.

SYNOPSIS

Based on the results of a survey of the New York Public Library's staff on the occasion of the institution's 100th anniversary, Books of the Century is a broad and erudite survey of the greatest literature produced in the 20th century. A great place to start building a library.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Last May, to celebrate its centennial, the New York Public Library exhibited works selected from titles recommended by its librarians. Diefendorf, the curator of the exhibit, has put together this list of classics that have had deep or enduring influence, whether for good or not, or attracted millions of readers. This work collects the approximately 175 exhibition titles into 11 categories, such as Landmarks of Modern Literature and Favorites of Childhood and Youth, and briefly describes each work, noting its significance. It is illustrated with the cutouts designed by Diana Bryant for the original exhibit. The range of books is wide and diverse, moving from Jean-Paul Sartre's Being and Nothingness to Benjamin Spock's Common Sense Book of Baby Care, the Surgeon General's Report on Smoking, Winnie-the-Pooh, a Family of Man photographic exhibition, and quotations from Chairman Mao. There is, unfortunately, no alphabetical list of titles through which a reader could easily locate the presence or description (and page number) of a particular work. Still, this is a welcome follow-up to the exhibit and will intrigue those who love books. Particularly of interest to public libraries, book clubs, and others who collect "great books" lists.-Nancy Patterson Shires, East Carolina Univ., Greenville, N.C.

Library Journal

Last May, to celebrate its centennial, the New York Public Library exhibited works selected from titles recommended by its librarians. Diefendorf, the curator of the exhibit, has put together this list of classics that have had deep or enduring influence, whether for good or not, or attracted millions of readers. This work collects the approximately 175 exhibition titles into 11 categories, such as Landmarks of Modern Literature and Favorites of Childhood and Youth, and briefly describes each work, noting its significance. It is illustrated with the cutouts designed by Diana Bryant for the original exhibit. The range of books is wide and diverse, moving from Jean-Paul Sartre's Being and Nothingness to Benjamin Spock's Common Sense Book of Baby Care, the Surgeon General's Report on Smoking, Winnie-the-Pooh, a Family of Man photographic exhibition, and quotations from Chairman Mao. There is, unfortunately, no alphabetical list of titles through which a reader could easily locate the presence or description (and page number) of a particular work. Still, this is a welcome follow-up to the exhibit and will intrigue those who love books. Particularly of interest to public libraries, book clubs, and others who collect "great books" lists.-Nancy Patterson Shires, East Carolina Univ., Greenville, N.C.

Booknews