www.greatbooksprogram.org

One of the undeniable facts about modern human history is that literature shapes human thinking and action. Every book, at least on a certain level, changes the way we think. Every human experience is unique and whenever shared shapes the human condition. So, choosing one or even ten books that have transformed humanity is impossible.

Two books written by American authors that have changed humanity are “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, and “The Grapes of Wrath”. They touched on two very delicate issues in the times in which they were written: slavery and the The Great Depression.The whole story can be found at http://q104.radio.com/2011/07/26/big-river-the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn/

Perhaps, no words written by an American author are more poignant than those describing how Huck Finn decided that his friend Jim, an escaped slave, was a person with as much value as any other and he would believe so even if it meant going to hell. Twain’s book helped transform the way millions of American saw African Americans. The wisdom of rough young boy by the name of Huck Finn transcended time and space.

Steinbeck’s portrayal of a “Okie” family and their journey from their land of OKlahoma to the fields of California in search of work and hope is one of the beautiful stories of the 20th century. It helped America empathize with their fellow countrymen during the depression.