Books That Left A Mark On History
It is impossible to make a list of books that left a mark on history without leaving out many more that had a major influence on literary history as well. The following 10 books are therefore only a few of many that could be also included in the list of the most influential books ever written.
Tanakh
The sacred book of Judaism which was according to the traditional belief assembled by the Men of the Great Assembly by about 450 BCE is without a doubt one of the most influential, if not the most influential book of all times. In addition to being the sacred book of Judaism, it also inspired the Christian Bible as well as the Muslim Koran.
Vedas
The Vedas, the ancient Indian texts are just as important for Hinduism as the Bible for Christianity. The texts are believed to be composed between 1500 to 1000 BCE but were initially transmitted orally.
Iliad and Odyssey
The two epic poems which are traditionally attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer and are believed to be composed in the 8th century BCE are among the oldest Western literary works and had an enormous influence on the literary history.
The Divine Comedy
The epic poem describing the vision of the afterlife as presented by the Catholic Church is widely considered one of the greatest works in literary history. It was written by one of the most celebrated Italian authors, Dante Alighieri between 1308 and 1321.
First Folio
The First Folio is a collection of William Shakespeare’s plays that was published in 1623, 7 years after his death. The book that was compiled by the author’s colleagues Henry Condell and John Heminges contains all Shakespeare’s works except four plays.
Candide
Voltaire’s satire named after its main character Candide was both a major success and scandal due to the author’s “attack“ on religion and the mainstream policy. It was even banned immediately after its release. Today, however, the book is typically listed as a part of the Western canon and is considered Voltaire’s greatest work.
War and Peace
The novel War and Peace written by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy is a classic. The book that was first published in 1869 is about the Napoleonic invasion of Russia and its impact on the Russian society. It is a masterpiece that should be read by everyone, not just book lovers.
Don Quixote
The novel Don Quixote by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes is not only one of the greatest Spanish literary works but one of the greatest literary works ever written. It is a book that should have its place on every bookshelf.
The Trial
The most famous work of Franz Kafka is actually uncompleted just like other author’s works, however, there is a chapter that ends the story about a man who is arrested and trialled for a crime that is never revealed to the leading character nor the reader. Nevertheless, the book regularly makes it in the lists of the most influential books in literary history.
Nineteen Eighty-Four
The novel written by George Orwell is best known for the use of concepts such as Big Brother, unperson, thoughtcrime, etc. and did not only leave a profound influence on literature but culture as well. It is without a doubt one of the greatest works ever written.