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This book presents a moderately revisionist history of the great books idea anchored in the following movements and struggles: fighting anti-intellectualism, advocating for the liberal arts, distributing cultural capital, and promoting a public philosophy, anchored in mid-century liberalism, that fostered a shared civic culture.

EXCELLENT SUBJECT: The Great Books program was a hugely significant aspect of twentieth-century American cultural history, and a touchstone for understanding the interplay of high and low culture during that periodNEW RESEARCH: Lacy has gone entirely through the massive collection of Adler papers at the University of Chicago, among other sources. His access to market-research-related documents is extraordinaryINTEGRATED APPROACH: Lacy offers a nuanced examination of the intersection of intellectual, political, and commercial forces, and the book will place its subject within a rich historical-intellectual context