Excerpt from The Best Reading: Hints on the Selection of Books, On the Formation of Libraries, Public and Private, On Courses of Reading, Etc., With a Classified Bibliography for Easy Reference, Revised, Enlarged, and Continued to December, 1874

We have aimed at a middle course between a meagre catalogue of a bookseller's collection, and the elaborate comprehensiveness of a general bibliography. Under some four hundred different themes or topics, we have quoted brie¿y the titles of such books on each subject as are best known, and most surely acceptable either in American or English editions. We have included in these selections only those works which are likely to be consulted by the general reader, and we have omitted (excepting a few leading specimens): I. Law Books. II. Theological and Religious Treatises. III. Sunday School Books. IV. Technical works in Science and Art. V. School text-books. VI. Many anonymous and doubtful Novels.

Doubtless there are also accidental omissions of good books under the several departments which we have undertaken to fill: but this is inevitable in the present crude state of all sources of information as to recent publications. We have expended many months of patient labor in collating catalogues, both English and American, and we trust that a large proportion, at least, of all the best accessible books, relating to each subject indicated, will be found chronicled in our lists, under their respect ive heads.

Editions - reprints, etc. In all cases where Eu glish books have been reprinted in the United States, the American editions have been quoted, rather than the original. In some instances, however, the English editions being also supplied in this market, and usually being superior to the Reprint, they are also mentioned.

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