[henry_bone]

If I were to read one of his books as a guide the best bits of the canon to read, which book should I read?

The main options appear to be 'Genius', 'The Western Canon' and 'How to read and why'.

I'd like to read more, and a good guide to Western literature might be helpful.

[pattisapu]

I suggest: Where Shall Wisdom Be Found?

In my opinion here is Bloom at his boldest and finest.

He is looking for wisdom, not just in literature, but also in philosophy, religion....

While in some ways breezy, a bit of an airplane read, and sometimes provocative of little more than a chuckle, or a facepalm, it is, taken as a whole, a liberal and generous conception of the humanities and human life. That's Bloom for you.

[henry_bone]

Thanks for that. I hadn't heard of Harold Bloom before today, but what I've read about his scholarship and writing today, leads me to think that I could use one or more of his books as a guide to reading books from the western canon.

I'll check out 'Where Shall Wisdom Be Found?'