GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION GROUP

The discussions are held in the Meeting Room of the Charles E. Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, Va., on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Enter the library and immediately turn right. You will see the Meeting Room right ahead of you. All are welcome. However, there is a rule that only those who have read the selection should participate in the discussion. Contact Bill Scouton, 703-931-3559.

The Schedule from August 2009 through January 2010

August 20---“The Chilean Earthquake,” a short story from Kleist, Selected Writings by Heinrich von Kleist.

Sept. 17---“Where I Lived, and What I Lived For,” a chapter from Walden by Henry David Thoreau.

Oct. 15---“Sweetness and Light,” a selection from Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold.

Nov. 19---“What Pragmatism Means and Pragmatism’s Conception of Truth” a selection from Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James.

Dec. 17---Major Barbara, a play by George Bernard Shaw.

Jan. 21---“The Darling,” a short story by Anton Chekhov.

Feb. 18---“First Snow on Fuji,” a short story from First Snow on Fuji by Yasunari Kawabata.
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All the selections are contained in an anthology, Great Conversations IV, compiled by the Great Books Foundation. The anthology provides study guides for all the selections. Purchase of Great Conversations IV is not required but it is a convenience for regular participants. It can be purchased from the Foundation for $24.95 plus handling charges of $4.50. It can be ordered by phone, (1-800-222-5870), fax (1-312-407-0224) or online (www.greatbooks.org) with a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.