"In his accessible, well-written, and unanticipatedly humorous The World in Books , Kenneth C. Davis takes readers on a journey that highlights fifty-two short yet provocative works of non-fiction. Highlighting both traditional favorites and contemporary classics, Davis offers his sharp insights in ways that appeal to the inquisitive mind, regardless of its familiarity with the selected texts. His poignant 'Introduction' sets the stage for the contemporary relevance of why books like these matter in contemporary times, which makes this collection all the more relevant. Highly recommended for every person who treasures the freedom to read and values the transformative power it has for us all." --J. Michael Butler, author of Beyond Integration: The Black Freedom Struggle in Escambia County, Florida, 1960-1980 "Kenneth C. Davis's The World in Books is a testament to both the beauty and power of the written word.

And also, a very smart guide to books that have changed the way we think--and sometimes even changed us." --Deborah Blum, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of The Poison Squad: One Chemist's Single-Minded Crusade for Food Safety at the Turn of the Twentieth Century.