Modern Classics for Your Library

The idea to compile an exhaustive list of books to have in one’s library has been with me for long. What made this list possible was a request by a particular friend to compile one such list for him. I began compiling this list a few months back and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if I say that the list isn’t exhaustive as yet, however I decided to go ahead with publication of this first draft [Originally Published on 21st August, 2022] [Updated: 03 November, 2022].

I have divided the books into two groups to begin with – Classics and Modern Classics. “Classics” include books dating back to the ancient and medieval eras, though there are some books that are modern which I have placed in the “Classics” for the greatness such books have achieved, in my humble opinion, so as to be placed at a higher pedestal. Modern Classics include Renaissance and Post-Renaissance literature. There is a necessary overlap between the two eras hence the placing of books at the fringes of eras has been more discretionary than rational or evidential.

Since the book list is complied first from a Kashmiri’s perspective, then from a Muslim’s perspective and then from a general perspective you would end up seeing an inflated list catering to such perspectives. What that means that the list definitely tries to include all the books of international/cross-cultural significance, then it goes on to include the texts that have significance for Muslim and then the ones that hold significance for Kashmiris.

The division of the books in sections follows the same pattern. The Classics are divided into three parts:

1. Islamic: This list includes texts on Quran, Hadith, Muhammad (saw), History, Law/Jurisprudence/Aqeedah, Philosophy/Spirituality/Sufism etc.

2. Religious: This list includes texts on Judaism, Christianity and Hinduism.

3. Other Classics: This lists includes list of Western and Eastern Secular Classics.

The list of classics isn’t ready yet and will be published in some time (Insha Allah). However what is partially complete is the list of Modern Classics. The list is divided into twelve parts and as you will see some books could have ended up in more than one sections, their placement is more discretionary than rational. The twelve sections include 1. Biographies/Memoirs, 2. Economics, 3. History, 4. Islam [Hadith, History, Jurisprudence/Law, Muhammad (saw), Quran, Spirituality/Sufism, Contemporary Issues, Art/Culture/Philosophy/Education, Others], 5. Kashmir, 6. Literature, 7. Religion [Judaeo-Christianity, Hinduism, Others], 8. Philosophy, 9. Social Sciences [Polity, Political Science, Political Ideologies, Revolutionary Literature, Sociology, Rights, Education, Law] 10. Psychology, Self-Help, Sense Making, Guidance, 11. Contemporary World, Politics, 12. Science, Environment.

I am certain I have missed many books and I am already working on the second draft which shall come out by the end of this year (Insha Allah). This first draft concentrates more on Philosophy and Social Sciences section, the next draft will have more titles in the other sections (Insha Allah). This list is open for suggestions, do suggest books in the comments section if you may.

1. Biographies, Memoirs, Important Personalities [Click to Open]
2. Economics
   1. The Wealth of Nations – Adam Smith
   2. The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money – John Keynes
   3. Road to Serfdom – Friedrich von Hayek
   4. Imperialism, the highest stage of Capitalism – Lenin
   5. Evolutionary Socialism – Eduard Bernstein
   6. What is Property? Pierre Joseph Proudhon
   7. The Origins of the family, private property and the state (1884) – Friedrich Engels
   8. Small is beautiful – Fritz Schumacher
   9. Amartya Sen, Development as Freedom, 1999
   10. Amartya Sen, On Economic Inequality, 1973
3. History [Click to Open]
4. Islam [Click to Open]
5. Kashmir [Click to Open]
6. Literature [Click to Open]
7. Religion [Click to Open]
8. Philosophy [Click to Open]
9. Social Sciences [Polity, Political Science, Political Ideologies, Revolutionary Literature, Sociology, Rights, Education, Law] [Click to Open]
10. Psychology, Self Help, Sense Making, Guidance, Basic Learning [Click to Open]
11. Contemporary World, Politics
    1. American Power and the New Mandarins (1969) – Noam Chomsky
    2. New Military Humanism (1999) – Noam Chomsky
    3. 9/11 (2003) – Noam Chomsky
    4. Manufacturing Consent (1988) – Noam Chomsky
    5. The Responsibility of Scholars – Noam Chomsky
    6. Godse’s Children – Subash Gatade
12. Science, Environment

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