Compiled by Encyclopedia Britannica, this is a list of the great books of the western world. It is our western canon gathered into a single package of 60 volumes. Initially compiled in the 50's, the Great Books of the Western World was updated in the 90's with a second edition. While the first three volumes of the compendium feature a dissertation on liberal education, Volume 4 and beyond contain various books that we have listed here. Both fiction and non-fiction have been included, as well as all genres. Encyclopedia Britannica did a fantastic job putting together this list of Great Books of the Western World. If you're looking for a great, timeless book, then this is the place to start.
Be sure to check out Ranker's other lists like the Best Opening Lines in Fiction.
http://www.ranker.com/list/great-books-of-the-western-world/walter-graves,
Animal Farm
Volume: 60
Don Quixote
Heart of Darkness
Volume: 59
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale
The Brothers Karamazov
Volume: 52
The Canterbury Tales
Volume: 22
The Divine Comedy
Volume: 21
The Great Gatsby
Volume: 60
War and Peace
Volume: 51
Macbeth
Volume: 27