COPYRIGHT, 1925 F. S. CROFTS & CO., INC. PRINTED IN U. 8. A. THE VAIL-BALLOU PRESS PREFACE Frequently the editor of the selections included in this book has been requested to recommend reading for the business man. He has invariably replied by asking, "What kind of books do you like to read?" or "Do you prefer fiction, essays, letters, biography, drama, or poetry?" It is almost impossible to make a list to meet every need and all tastes. What is one man's meat may be another's poison. If a man reads a book simply from a sense of duty, he is going to obtain little benefit and practically no enjoyment. Every man should choose his reading for himself. To do this adequately he must have a knowledge of sources from which he may choose. It is the purpose of this book to give a taste of a number of the so-called classic authors of English and American Literature. Every type of writing has been included so that he may determine which form appeals to him most. A large number of the selections discuss matters directly pertaining to business. Both the advocates and the opponents of commercialism have been included. The introductory essays attempt to give the reader the position and spirit of the authors. They are not biographical, for the editor believes that a discussion of the aim of the author is far more important than a chronicle of the events of his life. In many instances the business activities of these authors have been stressed. A very few notes have been added to explain the more obscure passages. In the appendix will be found a few selections from Old and Middle English literature. They were in 584661 |