I relate very much to what you wrote. As I was starting college I too felt that the education I was receiving lacked the broad humanistic scope I desired. This led me to constant library expeditions where I picked up books on history, philosophy and science. It was around then that my mother gave me a set of Durant’s Story of Civilization. My grandfather recommended it to us, having read and reread the set for many years. Needless to say I gained a much greater profit from Durant’s work and my alternative readings than from the narrow education I received in school.
When I graduated from college I could finally take my education into my own hands. I continued reading The Story of Civilization (finished last December), combining it now with the ten year reading plan of Britannica’s Great Books of the Western World collection.
I was delighted to find out that Durant had drawn up his own reading plan. I found it contains many of the books on the Britannica list. However, it also includes other books that I would like to integrate into my plan, like the oriental works and the modern scientific works. I have been looking for up to date replacements for these last books, especially The Outline of Science, but haven’t found anything adequate; I would love to know what you substituted them with.
I think you’ve taken a smart approach to your alternative education. Durant will take you through the history of the world and will introduce you to the greatest minds and works of humanity. A parallel reading of these books is of course a natural complement to The Story of Civilization. I would also recommend two books that will be of great help to you as you begin your journey: Mortimer Adler’s “How to Read a Book” and Clifton Fadiman’s “The New Lifetime Reading Plan”. Both of these works include reading list of the great books.
As for the lack of intelligent conversation in college I would recommend you keep an eye out for other “ugly ducklings”. Most of my friends and acquaintances in school were typical college kids, but I managed to find an alternate group of about ten friends that shared my intellectual interests and thirst. We got together every once in a while and discussed our readings and ideas. If you are able to find companions like this your college experience will be greatly enhanced. Good luck! (Hope you can tell me about those science books)
