What Our Members Say
Who knew
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About
could be such fun!
Great Books: “The Great Books program has made a real difference in my life. I read more, think more and enjoy all manner of intellectual activity much more than before.” –Carol Hochberg-Holker
The books that inspire and stimulate us are the great books, by the greatest thinkers and writers of all time. These are the books that
“I worked as an engineer for 30+ years and mostly read technical books and journals. With Great Books, I am finally getting my liberal arts education and it has opened up a new and exciting world to me.” –Clifford Louie
can make you think – that can make you
“The challenge of a great book becomes invigorating when I read for a discussion with other Great Books readers. Who knew how different our interpretations could be!” –Kay Cleveland White
member organizations like the Great Books
There is a real thrill to read a “Great Book” and find others to discuss it with, or even to have some heated arguments. I enjoy the events sponsored throughout the year, especially the April weekend at Asilomar. –Laura Bushman
question who you are, what you’re doing, and where you’re going. The Great Books Foundation, together with its Council of San Francisco, offers you a way to discover these books.
Great Books Council of San Francisco Serving Northern California www.GreatBooks-SF.com
If you like talking about ideas, try a Great Books discussion group near you! Great Books Council of San Francisco Serving Northern California www.GreatBooks-SF.com
The Great Books Council of San Francisco
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In Great Books we read a wide variety of classic and modern fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama. In friendly and lively discussions we express our ideas and benefit from the insights of others. In this way we enlarge our understanding of the ideas that shape our culture, and we gain a deeper appreciation for what it means to be human. The discussion is what is most important. To experience a Great Books discussion first hand come to one of the annual events described in this brochure, or visit a group that meets near your home.
Find a Great Books discussion group near you at
GreatBooks-SF.com
On the website, you will find meeting times, locations and contact information for Northern California groups in: • Central Valley, Sacramento • East Bay • Marin • San Francisco • San Joaquin, Foothills, The Sierra • Sonoma County & North Coast • South Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey
About Us The Great Books Council of San Francisco is an all-volunteer organization. For more than 50 years we have been affiliated with the Great Books Foundation begun by Robert Maynard Hutchins and Mortimer Adler at the University of Chicago in 1947. We sponsor special events, coordinate the activities of discussion groups throughout Northern California and provide training for discussion leaders. Our free newsletter, Reading Matters, is published three times a year. Subscriptions are available via email or U.S. Mail.
Great Books Council of San Francisco Serving Northern California www.GreatBooks-SF.com
Annual Events in Northern California The Great Books Council of San Francisco sponsors annual special events throughout Northern California, including: Book/Film Gatherings – day-long events at which a short book will be discussed followed by lunch and the screening of a related film. These discussions are held in San Francisco in late winter, the Auburn area in the spring, and wine country in the fall. Leader/Reader Workshop – held in the early spring and featuring lively practice sessions designed to help leaders develop confidence in leading Great Books discussions. Annual Meeting and Picnic – a noontime gathering at Tilden Park in June featuring a potluck lunch, the discussion of a short book, and our (very short) annual meeting. The Barbara McConnell Great Books Annual Weekend at Asilomar – a Great Books tradition for over 50 years. This April weekend includes four discussions – fiction, nonfiction, drama and poetry – plus lodging for two nights, six meals, and a party, all in a beautiful venue right on the Monterey coast. Long Novel Weekend – an overnight event in late summer. Includes three discussions of a celebrated long novel and an evening’s entertainment featuring an author, scholar, or musician whose work is relevant to the book. Poetry Weekend – a weekend (one overnight) experience held in late fall featuring three stimulating discussions of great modern and classic poems plus related evening entertainment.