Golden Treasury of Famous Books: A Guide to Good Reading for Boys and Girls, and for the Enjoyment of Those Who Love Books

A literary guide and anthology written in the early 20th century. This book is designed primarily for young readers and those who love books, providing introductions to classic works and celebrated authors. Its main focus is to inspire a love of reading and to help readers discover the joy and richness found in great literature, ranging from novels and poetry to history and travel writing. The opening of ''Golden Treasury of Famous Books'' introduces the reader to the magical companionship offered by books, using stories of famous literary figures’ childhood encounters with literature as inspiration. The foreword and initial chapters outline how the book can help guide readers to stories they will enjoy, and provide an overview of its structure, which covers different genres and great authors. The early chapters present concise, engaging background information on the novels and characters of Charles Dickens, highlight Dickens’s life, his humanitarian impact, and move on to praise and summarize the works and virtues of authors like Sir Walter Scott and William Shakespeare. Throughout, the author emphasizes the transformative power of books, the importance of discovering personal taste in reading, and introduces literary classics alongside personal anecdotes, making the world of literature inviting and accessible for young readers.