Amazon 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime

Introduction: Analyzing the Diversity in Amazon's 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime

Many people love book lists. And so do I. We are all over lists like the 100 books to read in a lifetime, 100 books to get an education, 100 books of all time. But have you ever stopped to think about how the information gets collected? Are the books on the list diverse? Which authors and countries get included and excluded on the list? These questions are crucial in understanding the inclusivity and scope of these lists.

In this blog post, I delve into an analysis of Amazon's 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime, along with two other similar lists. My aim is to shed light on the diversity and representation in these collections. My initial hypothesis is that these lists are predominantly filled with works from white, Western male authors. Through my research, I aim to either confirm or challenge this assumption, providing a more nuanced perspective on these widely recommended book lists.

5 Criteria for Identifying a Classic Book

According to Jeffrey Brenzel, Philosopher, former Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale University, the criteria for identifying a classic book:

1. Addresses permanent concerns about the human condition.
2. Has game-changing ideas that have created profound shifts in the perspective of the readers.
3. Stimulated, informed or influenced many other important works.
4. Respected by expert critics. Many generations of the best readers and the most expert critics have rated the work highly.
5. Challenging yet rewarding to read. I have said many times on The Invisible Mentor blog that the most successful people read books that make them think.

Professor Fears' Definition of a Great Book

According to Professor Fears, a great book has the following three essential qualities:

1. “Great theme. A great book is concerned with themes and issues of enduring importance.
   1. The meaning of life
   2. Truth
   3. Duty and responsibility
   4. Law, government, and social justice
   5. Love, jealousy, and hate
   6. Courage, honor, and ambition
   7. Beauty
   8. Nature
   9. History and the past
   10. Education
2. Noble language. Great books are written in noble language, language that elevates the soul and ennobles the mind. It is not the specific language, say Latin or English that is noble. Any language can be used in such a way that it conveys ideas and emotions powerfully and memorably.

Universality. A great book is “a possession for all time” (Thucydides). It speaks across the ages, reaching the hearts and minds of men and women far removed in time and space from the era and circumstances in which it was composed. Thus, a great book summarizes the enduring values and ideas of a great age and gives them as a legacy for generations to come.”

Another Definition of a Great Book

In the description for Classic Novels: Meeting the Challenge of Great Literature by the Great Courses for what is a classic:

1. “A classic novel has the ability to present the world as a more energetic, vibrant, and unpredictable place than we ever imagined.

2. Classic novels open our eyes to the true nature of our world, and take us across the divide that separates mind from mind.

3. They reveal to us our essential humanity, both its beauty and its horror, and hold the mirror up to our unknown selves.”

Research Questions: Amazon 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime

1. Why are the lists of best books of all time written by white men in the Western World? Conduct analysis on two lists of best books of all time. Look at gender and ethnicity.
2. How can a book written less than 10 years ago be considered one of the best books of all time? Former Dean Jeffrey Brenzel says that for a book to be considered great, several generations need to enjoy the book. If a generation is 25 years, therefore, the book has to have been around for at least 25 years.
3. What criteria do you use to determine that a book is one of the best books of all time? Look at how long the book has been around.

Data from Amazon

The data from the Amazon website consisted of the names of the books and the author’s name with a link to buy them.

Excel Data File

Book Title, Author, Gender, Publication Date, Today’s Date, Age of Book, Genre, Generations Book Around, Country of Origin (Where author was born), Ethnicity, Author Birth (Date of birth), Author Age Book Published.

Excel Limitation: Excel doesn’t recognize dates that precede 1900. When I manually input the rejected dates, it appeared okay, but the error persisted during any analysis. I had to export data to Google Sheets that had no such limitations.

Research Findings: Amazon 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime

Breakdown by Gender

Ethnicity of Author

Distribution by Age of Book

Where Authors Were Born

Age of Author When Book Published

Discussion: Amazon 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime

You can watch the PowerPoint presentation for the results of my research study. Are you surprised by the results? I was surprised that China wasn't on the list. And that Canada and India each had only two authors represented.

There are several reasons why most books on lists like “Amazon's 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime” are written by white men from the Western world:

1. Historical Bias: Historically, publishing has been dominated by white men from the Western world. This is due to a multitude of factors, including societal norms and privileges that have allowed this group easier access to education and publishing opportunities.
2. Western Cultural Dominance: Western culture, particularly that of the United States and United Kingdom, has had a significant influence globally. This has led to a greater international recognition and promotion of authors from these regions.
3. Selection Bias: These lists are often curated by individuals or groups who may unconsciously favor authors who reflect their own backgrounds or experiences.
4. Market Forces: Publishers and booksellers often prioritize books they believe will sell well. Given the historical and cultural factors mentioned, books by white, Western men may be perceived as more marketable.
5. Lack of Diversity in Publishing: The publishing industry itself is often criticized for its lack of diversity, which can influence which authors get published and promoted.

Conclusion: Amazon 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime

What makes a book great? What criteria do you use to judge whether a book is great or not? Although I love the definitions for great books, they are backward looking. That means that time has to elapse to determine which books stand the test of time. We do not always have that luxury. So, I think the best thing to do, is to study the three definitions, using a few criteria to decide which books have the potential to become great books. I also believe it's essential to read both classic literature and contemporary books.

While the predominance of books by white, Western men on lists like Amazon's “100 Books to Read in a Lifetime” reflects historical biases and the legacy of a publishing industry that has long favored certain voices, it's important to recognize that literature is a vast, diverse field that encompasses a multitude of perspectives. You have to be more intentional about finding more books written by authors from different ethnic group. As readers, it's your responsibility to seek and elevate diverse voices. 

By doing so, you enrich your understanding of the world and also help to create a more inclusive literary landscape. It's an exciting time in literature, with more diverse authors gaining recognition than ever before. So while these lists can provide a starting point, strive to read widely and deeply, challenging yourself to explore beyond the boundaries of the familiar. This analysis is not to undermine the quality or importance of these works. But rather to shed light on the need for greater inclusivity and diversity in such lists.

The three lists that I looked at – Amazon’s 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime, Greatest Fiction Books of All Time, and Greatest Nonfiction Books of All Time – are not very diverse. ​​ Perhaps the criterium that more than one generation has enjoyed the book could be too restrictive.

Next Steps

Wondering what to do next, you can do all of:

1. Buy my new book, Leadership Reading: Spilling the Tea on How Top Leaders Read

2. If you want to Consult 1:1 about Effective Reading Strategies

3. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

4. Join the Art of Learning Membership Site

5. Download Unlock Your Genius Power Reading Tips Sheet

6. Buy me a cup of coffee!

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