Criteria for Inclusion

If you see a book that you think should be on the list but is not, likely I have already read it and didn't include it because it was too hard for others to read or it was poorly written.

I have also particularly focused on Asian and classical texts, and have especially tried to limit the Greek, Roman, white American and English writing to as few works as possible, because I think those areas are over read and I have little interest in them after having to read so many of them in high school.

Most of the works I have included I agree with or at least partly agree with and believe can be useful for personal growth except for most the books or the topics contained in "History - Establishment" categories which I believe are only worthwhile for understanding history.

I also have usually only included one book by each author and not necessarilly the most famous, but rather the most useful one.

Another consideration is the cost and availability of the works. For works that are difficult to find or expensive to buy, I have generally stayed away from.

I generally avoid female writers as most of them I cannot understand.

This is also a great list for Christians who want to study world religions and philosophies without studying the occult.

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