Philadelphia Great Books Council

The Council supports Great Books discussion groups throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
What makes Great Books different from other book discussion groups? We actually discuss the book! Using the Shared Inquiry method, we explore the readings to gain better understanding of the text, the world and ourselves.

Looking to join a Great Books Discussion group near you?
Check out our list of Great Books Local Groups in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey areas.

Send an email to: John Dalton for more information.

Keep in Touch
Sign up for our Mailing List to hear more about upcoming events.
Contact: John Dalton


For other regions, please visit Great Books Foundation Book Groups and Councils.

Great Books at Colby Council

The Philadelphia Great Books Council sponsors a week-long set of six discussions at Colby College each summer.
For two hours each day, readers discuss their understanding of thought-provoking classics through the Great Books Foundation's Shared Inquiry Method.
In additions, there are lectures, films, group social activities, use of the athletic facilities and tennis courts, and a real Maine lobster bake. On campus registration includes a single or double dormitory room (six nights: Sunday through Friday) and all meals.

Junior Great Books at Colby College - 2025 - is currently exploring possibilities for an active Colby College experience

To discuss individual arrangements for Junior Great Books older children, please contact John Dalton Email: John Dalton or Email: Lulah Fort before February 15th.

Nota Bene: This year we have the opportunity to revive Junior Great Books. Lulah Fort and Donna Crane have graciously offered to do so, if there is sufficient interest.

They write, “For a dozen or more years before Covid, Great Books at Colby offered a program for young people (ages 5-16) alongside the one for adults. Parents and grandparents were able to bring along children and grandchildren who enjoyed supervised structured activities in the morning, while their adults were having book discussions, and then afternoon book groups of their own, interactively discussing books with their peers.

To restart the program, we need to gauge interest of participants and their age to determine appropriate books.”

If you have any interest in bringing one or more young people to a revived Junior Great Books program, please contact: Email: John Dalton or Email: Lulah Fort before February 15th.

Based on interest, we will decide the viability of restarting for the coming year.

When active, Great Books Camp for Kids at Colby affords unique moments of personal growth. The Junior Great Books groups are organized based on age of participant as of September of that year, the grade of participant as of September of that year, the child's preference if there is a choice between two likely groups at the time of registration, and parent/grandparent input as to the choice.

This is a wonderful family setting to share reading, discussion, free time, and stress-free meal times with multi-generations enjoying time together.

Come join us.
Check the website GreatBooks-atColby.org for all the details.
You can also send an email to: John Dalton for more information.

Keep in Touch
Sign up for our Mailing List to hear more about upcoming events.
Contact: John Dalton





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