As a vocal critic of art on the whole, British writer JOHN RUSKIN (1819-1900) was a profoundly influential voice upon European painting, architecture, aesthetics of the 19th and 20th centuries.

This 1865 collection of three lectures-"Of Kings' Treasures," "Of Queens' Gardens," and "Of the Mysteries of Life"-offers an intimate look at his thoughts on culture and humanity's nurturing of its own education. He discusses:

. the importance of "valuable books"
. the nature of "a civilized country"
. the necessity of educating women
. advice for living a plain but noble life
. and more.

Students of art history will in particular find this an enlightening read.