I also own one of the Grolier Libraries, the Book of Literature, a turn of the century edition filled with gems of ancient literature which are no longer considered "relevant" by modern thinkers. Among them are a Roman philosopher's scathing denunciation and debunking of astrology, and an essay by Teddy Roosevelt answering the liberal critics of his day why the Indians deserved to have their lands taken away from them. His point of view, that even though the Indians certainly had a right to defend their nomadic way of life, and that terrible atrocities were committed by both sides during the struggle, the European introduction of plow agriculture was the right and correct use of the land for the benefit of all concerned.

Most people who have access to these old books see them as quaint and old-fashioned, but they are the pinnacle of Victorian scholarship and thought, and even if we may disagree with it, it has formed our world and we can benefit by reading it.