The Modern Library, a division of Random House, was founded in 1917 by Albert Boni and Horace Liveright. It was bought in 1925 by Bennett Cerf. Random House began in 1927 as a subsidary of the Modern Library, but eventually became the parent company. The Modern Library identified itself as "The Modern Library of the World's Best Books". In keeping with that identity, they identified the 100 best novels and non-fiction books of the 20th century and conducted an unscientific web poll to gather public opinion on the same. The top ten books from both lists in each category are shown below.
Table of contents |
2 Reader Selections 3 External link |
As David Ebershoff, the Modern Library division's publishing director, carefully stated "the people who were drawn to go to the Modern Library Web site and compelled to vote have a certain enthusiasm about books and their favourite books that many people don't, so that the voting population is skewed." In other words, it was an insecure web poll. [1]
Board Selections
Best 20th Century Novel
Best 20th Century Non-fiction
Reader Selections
Best 20th Century Novel
Best 20th Century Non-fiction
External link