Author name not noted above: Marcus Aurelius.

Translator names not noted above: Benjamin Jowett, Hastings Crossley, and George Long.

Originally published between 1909 and 1917 under the name "Harvard Classics," this stupendous 51-volume set-a collection of the greatest writings from literature, philosophy, history, and mythology-was assembled by American academic CHARLES WILLIAM ELIOT (1834-1926), Harvard University's longest-serving president. Also known as "Dr. Eliot's Five Foot Shelf," it represented Eliot's belief that a basic liberal education could be gleaned by reading from an anthology of works that could fit on five feet of bookshelf.

Volume II features:

• The Apology, Phaedo, and Crito, by Greek philosopher PLATO (c. 428 BC-c. 347 BC), three of his greatest dialogues about his mentor, Socrates, and essential for understanding the Socratic method.

• The Golden Sayings, by Greek philosopher EPICTETUS (55-135), a collection of Stoic aphorisms and wisdom.

• The Meditations, by Roman emperor MARCUS AURELIUS (121-180), an ode to the obligations and rewards of duty.