Books

For a long time I had wanted to give books as treasure, but the foremost problem that occurs is the title and subject matter of the book.  There's no material out there to give you a list of books to bestow upon your players, or even how such a list might be constructed.

In my 57-year-old encyclopedia the index provides a bibliography of books used to create the Encyclopedia.  So I decided to count them, and list those counts here, along with the categories as identified (and slightly modified for D&D) by the encyclopedia.  The principle modifications are the removal of materials too modern for the game (my world, remember, takes place in 1650), and the reinterpretation of some subjects as magic.

Note that the number does not necessarily describe the importance of the topic, only the number of books that one might find regarding that subject.  The encyclopedia is Anglocentric and highly Christian, but you and I should be able to ignore those faults.

This will no doubt annoy the hell out of the anti-Simulationist crowd, but I find it fascinating.

BOOK LIST

I. Philosophy (300)
   A. Collections of Philosophical Writings (6)
   B. Introductions to Philosophy (17)
   C. Systematic Philosophy (114)
      1. Logic (11)
      2. Theory of Knowledge (5)
      3. Metaphysics (11)
      4. Cosmology (5)
      5. Mind & Body (4)
      6. Ethics (53)
         a) Introductions (10)
         b) Problems of Daily Living (10)
         c) Theories and Philosophies of Ethics (15)
         d) State Ethics (6)
         e) Peace and War (12)
      7. Aesthetics (25)
   D. History and Systems (138)
      1. General Histories (10)
      2. Oriental Philosophy (8)
         a) General Works (2)
         b) Confucius (the Analects) (3)
         c) Islam (1)
         d) Mencius and Laotse (1)
         e) Radhakrishnan (1)
      3. Greek Philosophy (39)
         a) General Works (14)
         b) Aristotle (9)
         c) Socrates and Plato (15)
            i. Socrates (Socratic Dialogues) (1)
            ii. Plato (Dialogues, the Republic) (5)
            iii. Works and Commentary (9)
         d) Demosthenes (1)
      4. Hellenistic, Roman and Alexandrian Philosophy (10)
         a) General Works (2)
         b) Epicurus, Epictetus and Lucretius (1)
         c) Marcus Aurelius (Meditations) (2)
         d) Philo (2)
         e) Plotinus (1)
         f) Proclus (1)
         g) Seneca (1)
      5. Early Christian and Medieval Philosophy (15)
         a) General Works (3)
         b) St. Thomas Aquinas (5)
         c) St. Augustine (City of God) (4)
         d) Boethius (1)
         e) St. Bonaventure (1)
         f) William of Ockham (1)
      6. Modern Philosophy of the Western World (56)
         a) General Works (23)
         b) Philosophical Systems (26)
         c) Philosophers (7)
            i. Francis Bacon (Advancement of Learning) (3)
            ii. Rene Descartes (A Discourse on Method) (4)
   E. Occultism (25)

II. Religion (566)
   A. Philosophy of Religion (16)
   B. Religion and Science (7)
   C. God (14)
   D. The Bible (136)
      1. General Works (14)
      2. Versions of the Bible (20)
         a) Whole Bible (11)
         b) Old Testament Only (3)
         c) New Testament Only (6)
      3. Commentaries (25)
      4. Biblical History and Geography (14)
      5. Biographies (27)
         a) Persons of the Bible (8)
         b) Lives of Christ (19)
      6. Lessons of the Old Testament (13)
      7. Lessons of the New Testament (20)
      8. Apocrypha (3)
   E. Miracles (1)
   F. Christian Beliefs (19)
   G. Immortality (7)
   H. Christian Morals and Personal Religion (12)
   I. Spiritual Life (19)
      1. Devotional Books (12)
      2. Prayer (7)
   J. Religion in Action (59)
      1. Public Worship and Liturgy (16)
      2. Hymnology (14)
      3. Pastoral Work (19)
      4. Sermons (10)
   K. Temple and Temple Society (30)
   L. Missions and Missionaries (22)
   M. Religious Art and Literature (3)
   N. Religious Education (33)
   O. History of Religion (50)
   P. Christian Churches and Sects (53)
      1. General Works (22)
      2. Roman Catholicism (24)
      3. Anglicanism (3)
      4. Lutheranism (1)
      5. Presbyterism (3)
   Q. Comparative Religion (18)
   R. Mythology and Primitive Religion (25)
      1. General Works (13)
      2. Greek and Roman Mythology (10)
      3. Norse Mythology (2)
   S. Buddhism and Hinduism (8)
   T. Zoroastrianism (2)
   U. Judaism (18)
   V. Islam (6)
   W. Religions of Asia (8)

III. History (683)
   A. The Study of History and Current Events (13)
   B. World Histories (11)
   C. International Relations and Events (21)
   D. The Ancient World (80)
      1. Early Man (14)
      2. General Ancient History ( 8)
      3. Greece (24)
         a) Contemporary Accounts (6)
         b) Later Works (18)
      4. Rome (17)
         a) Contemporary Accounts (6)
         b) Later Works (11)
      5. Egypt (7)
      6. Other Regions (10)
   E. General European History (320)
      1. General Works (3)
      2. Middle Ages (54)
         a) Contemporary Accounts (17)
         b) Later Works (37)
      3. Renaissance (11)
      4. Reformation (9)
      5. Modern Europe of the 17th Century (17)
      6. England (34)
         a) Personal Histories (14)
         b) General Works (20)
      7. Scotland, Ireland, Wales (17)
      8. France (24)
      9. Germany (16)
      10. The Low Countries (19)
      11. The Balkans (26)
      12. The Hapsburgs (4)
      13. Poland (13)
      14. Hungary (10)
      15. Italy (22)
      16. Scandinavia, Finland and Iceland (24)
      17. Spain and Portugal (17)
   F. Russia (28)
   G. The Near East (30)
   H. Africa (19)
   I. Asia and the Pacific (79)
      1. General Works (12)
      2. China (24)
      3. Japan (13)
      4. Korea (1)
      5. India (19)
      6. Australia and New Zealand (10)
   I. New World Regions and Nations (82)
      1. General Works (16)
      2. Middle America and the West Indies (28)
      3. South America (15)
      4. French Canada (8)
      5. Colonial New England, New Holland, Virginia and the Carolinas (15)

IV. Geography (205)
   A. Atlases (19)
   B. A World View (17)
   C. General Works (11)
   D. Regional Geography (91)
      1. Colonial North America (21)
      2. The British Isles (9)
      3. Europe and Russia (20)
      4. Africa (5)
      5. Latin America (13)
      6. Asia and the Pacific (23)
   E. Economic Geography (8)
   F. Geopolitics (5)
   G. Explorers and Exploration (37)
   H. Travel (10)
   I. Cartography (7)

V. Linguistics (19)

VI. Literature (601)
   A. General Literature (100)
      1. History and Criticism (33)
      2. Anthologies and Indexes (57)
         a) Poetry (21)
         b) Light Verse and Humour (5)
         c) Prose and Poetry (9)
         d) Prose (11)
         e) Drama (11)
   B. Classical Literature (86)
      1. Classical Stories and Fables (5)
      2. Classical Poetry (6)
      3. Classical Drama (12)
      4. General Criticism of Classical Literature (5)
      5. History and Criticism of Classical Greek Literature (15)
      6. History and Criticism of Classical Latin Literature (10)
      7. Individual Classical Authors (33)
         a) General Works (2)
         b) Homer (The Iliad, the Odyssey) (5)
         c) Sappho (2)
         d) Aeschylus (2)
         e) Sophocles (4)
         f) Euripides (2)
         g) Aristophanes (2)
         h) Plutarch (1)
         i) Lucretius (1)
         j) Cicero (Offices) (2)
         k) Catullus (2)
         l) Horace (2)
         m) Vergil (The Aeneid, The Georgics) (4)
         n) Ovid (2)
   C. Medieval Literature (5)
   D. English Literature (164)
      1. Anthologies of Poetry and Prose (32)
      2. History of English Literature (34)
         a) General Accounts (18)
         b) The Early Period (3)
         c) Sixteenth Century (9)
         d) Seventeenth Century (4)
      3. English Poetry (19)
         a) General Criticism (5)
         b) Beowulf (2)
         c) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Piers the Ploughman (1)
         d) Geoffrey Chaucer (Canterbury Tales) (4)
         e) Edmund Spenser (The Faerie Queen) (2)
         f) John Donne (1)
         g) John Milton (4)
      4. English Fiction (17)
         a) General Criticism (15)
         b) Thomas Malory (Le Morte d’Arthur) (1)
         c) John Lyly (Euphues; the Anatomy of Wit; Euphues and His England) (1)
      5. English Drama (36)
         a) General Criticism (20)
         b) Pre-Elizabethan Drama (4)
         c) Everyman (1)
         d) Christopher Marlowe (1)
         e) William Shakespeare (5)
         f) Tudor Plays (2)
         g) Benjamin Jonson (1)
         h) Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (1)
         i) John Webster and John Ford (1)
      6. Other English Prose (Essays, Journals and Stories) (26)
   E. French Literature (26)
      1. History of French Literature (12)
         a) General Accounts (9)
         b) The Early Period (1)
         c) Renaissance Period (2)
      2. French Prose (4)
         a) General Works (1)
         b) Pierre Abelard and Heloise (Letters) (1)
         c) Michel de Montaigne (Essays) (1)
         d) Francois Rabelais (1)
      3. French Poetry (9)
         a) General Works (6)
         b) The Song of Roland (1)
         c) Francois Villon (2)
      4. French Drama (1)
   F. German Literature (20)
      1. History of German Literature (16)
      2. German Poetry (4)
         a) General Works (3)
         b) The Nibelungenlied (1)
   G. Italian Literature (32) 
      1. History of Italian Literature (12)
          a) General Accounts (8)
          b) Renaissance Period (4)
      2. Italian Poetry (14)
         a) General Works (5)
         b) Dante Gabriel Rossetti (The Divine Comedy) (6)
         c) Petrarch (Sonnets) (1)
         d) Lodovico Ariosto (Orlando Furioso) (1)
         e) Torquato Tasso (Jerusalem Delivered) (1)
      3. Italian Prose (5)
         a) General Works (1)
         b) Giovanni Boccaccio (The Decameron) (1)
         c) Baldassare Castiglione (The Book of the Courtier) (1)
         d) Niccolo Machiavelli (The Prince) (1)
         e) Benvenuto Cellini (1)
      4. Italian Drama (3)
   G. Hispanic Literature (46)
      1. History of Spanish Literature (12)
      2. Spanish Poetry (8)
         a) General Works (5)
         b) Lay of the Cid (2)
         c) Alonso de Ercilla (The Araucaniad) (1)
      3. Spanish Prose (6)
         a) General Works (1)
         b) Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (Don Quixote) (4)
         c) Lazarillo de Tormes (1)
      4. History of Latin American Literature (5)
      5. Latin American Poetry (4)
      6. Latin American Prose (2)
      7. Portuguese Literature (5)
         a) General Works (4)
         b) Luiz vaz de Coes (1)
      8. Hispanic Drama (4)
   H. Flemish and Dutch Literature (6)
   I. Scandinavian Literature (23)
      1. History of Scandinavian Literature (12)
      2. Scandinavian Poetry (8)
         a) General Works (5)
         b) Edda and Saga (1)
         c) Norse and Icelandic Sagas (2)
      3. Danish Prose (1)
      4. Norwegian Prose (1)
      5. Swedish Prose (1)
   J. Russian Literature (23)
      1. History of Russian Literature (12)
      2. Russian Prose (9)
      3. Russian Poetry (1)
      4. Russian Drama (1)
   K. Eastern European Literature (17)
      1. History of Eastern European Literature (9)
      2. Prose of Eastern Europe (5)
         a) General Works (4)
         b) The Kalevala (1)
      3. Poetry of Eastern Europe (3)
         a) General Works (2)
         b) The Diana (1)
   L. Oriental Literature (48)
      1. History of Oriental Literature (8)
      2. Chinese Prose (6)
         a) General Works (5)
         b) Wu Ch’eng-en (The Adventures of Monkey) (1)
      3. Chinese Poetry (9)
         a) General Works (8)
         b) Shih Ching (The Book of Songs) (1)
      4. Chinese Drama (2)
      5. Japanese Literature (4)
         a) General Works (3)
         b) Murasaki Shikibu (The Tale of Genji) (1)
      6. Egyptian Literature (5)
      7. Indian Literature (6)
         a) General Works (5)
         b) Hindu Scriptures (1)
      8. Persian and Arabic Literature (8)
         a) General Works (6)
         b) Firdausi (1)
         c) Omar Khayyam (1)
   M. Jewish Literature (5)

VII. The Arts (738)
   A. General Art (79)
      1. Theory and Appreciation (16)
      2. Art History (44)
      3. Primitive Art (7)
      4. Modern Art (12)
   B. Archaeology (69)
      1. General and Introductory (8)
      2. Old and New Stone Age (4)
      3. Asia Minor and the Bible Lands (12)
      4. Egypt (7)
      5. Crete and Greece (10)
      6. Rome (6)
      7. Britain (5)
      8. Pre-Columbian America (17)
   C. Architecture (118)
      1. Theory and Aesthetics (18)
      2. History of Architecture (32)
      3. Ecclesiastical Architecture (13)
      4. Domestic Architecture (19)
      5. Commercial Architecture (23)
      6. City Planning and Housing (13)
   D. Painting (91)
      1. Appreciation (11)
      2. History of Painting (31)
      3. Collective Studies of Artists (19)
      4. Techniques (30)
   E. Sculpture (32)
      1. Theory and Appreciation (26)
      2. Techniques (6)
   F. Design and the Applied Arts (21)
      1. General Design (7)
      2. Fashion (5)
      3. Interior Design (9)
   G. Prints and Illustrations (22)
   H. Minor Arts and Crafts (32)
      1. General Works (6)
      2. Ivory and Jade (1)
      3. Pottery and Porcelain (5)
      4. Glass (2)
      5. Metal Plate (2)
      6. Lapidary and Jewelry (1)
      7. Rugs and Carpets (2)
      8. Tapestries (2)
      9. Antiques (8)
      10. Furniture (3)
   I. Arts and Crafts Techniques (14)
   J. Music (143)
      1. General Introduction (12)
      2. Criticism and Effects (19)
      3. History of Music (29)
      4. Modern Music (7)
      5. Orchestral Instruments and Music (17)
      6. Vocal Music (4)
      7. Opera (20)
      8. Folk Music (10)
      9. Children and Music (6)
      10. Collective Biographies (19)
   K. The Dance (11)
      1. General and Historical (6)
      2. Modern Dance (5)
   L. Theatre (106)
      1. General Works (13)
      2. History of Theatre (26)
      3. Theatre Management, Producing and Directing (17)
      4. Staging, Scenery and Lighting (16)
      5. Acting (10)
      6. Make-up and Costume (9)
      7. Mistrels, Circus and Vaudeville (8)
      8. Masks and Marionettes (7)

VIII. Sociology (112)
   A. General History of Sociology (17)
   B. Anthropology (20)
   C. Population and Migration (9)
   D. Urban Society (14)
   E. Rural Society (11)
   F. The Family (8)
   G. Social Problems (9)
   H. Criminology (16)
   I. Housing (8)

IX. Political Science and Government (72)
   A. Political Theory (37)
   B. Comparative Government (20)
   C. International Relations (15)

X. Economics and Business (270)
   A. General Principles and Theory (20)
   B. International Trade, Exchange and Finance (19)
   C. Economic Organization and the State (37)
      1. Production Organization (10)
      2. Corporate Finance (11)
      3. Government Regulation (9)
      4. Agricultural Economics (7)
   D. Public Finance (21)
   E. Comparative Economic Systems (9)
   F. Transportation (26)
   G. Marketing (7)
      1. Wholesaling (2)
      2. Retailing (5)
   H. Guild Management and Methods (77)
      1. Organization (12)
      2. Member Selection (33)
      3. Quality Control (4)
      4. Building Management (7)
      5. Correspondence (11)
      6. Credit (7)
      7. Decision Making (3)
   I. Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing (13)
   J. Labor (23)
   K. Insurance (14)
   L. Real Estate (9)
   M. Personal Budget, Finance and Investment (13)
   N. Consumer Guidance (3)

XI. Education (118)
   A. History of Education (14)
   B. Education Society (7)
   C. Principles and Philosophy (22)
   D. Child Tutoring (19)
   E. College and University Education (16)
   F. Education Administration (10)
   G. Libraries (17)
   H. How to Read and Study (20)

XII. Communications (127)
   A. Writing and Speaking (40)
   B. General Printing (50)
      1. General Works (4)
      2. History of Printing (11)
      3. Printing Practice (9)
      4. Methods of Printing (7)
      5. Printing Fonts (10)
      6. Master Printers (6)
      7. Papermaking and Bookbinding (3)
   C. Book Publishing (37)
      1. General Works (6)
      2. History and Reminiscences (10)
      3. Book Collecting (4)
      4. Book Production (12)
      5. Distribution (5)

XIII. General Science (69)
   A. History of Science (14)
   B. Achievements of Science (13)
   C. Scientific Principles (13)
   D. Scientific Experiments (6)
   E. Science and Man (23)

XIV. Mathematics (100)
   A. Histories of Mathematics (8)
   B. Introductory Books (12)
   C. Introductions to Advanced Mathematics (13)
   D. Branches and Methods (33)
      1. Arithmetic (2)
      2. Plane Geometry (8)
      3. Solid Geometry (2)
      4. Analytic Geometry (4)
      5. Higher Geometry (4)
      6. Algebra (6)
      7. The Slide Rule (3)
      8. Trigonometry (4)
   E. Mathematical Recreations (9)
   F. Applied Mathematics (25)
      1. Handbooks (1)
      2. Rapid Methods (2)
      3. Business and Finance (5)
      4. Aviation (3)
      5. Electrical Work (2)
      6. Mechanical Work (5)
      7. Plumbing and Heating (1)
      8. Engineering (6)

XV. Astronomy (65)
   A. General Introductions (13)
   B. Star-Gazing (13)
   C. Telescopes (6)
   D. General Works (8)
   E. The Sun (5)
   F. The Moon (1)
   G. Comets and Meteors (4)
   H. The Planets (3)
   I. The Stars (6)
   J. The Universe (6)

XVI. Physics and Magic (125)
   A. General Introductions (10)
   B. Elementary Books (14)
   C. Classical Mechanics (5)
   D. Modern Physics (18)
   E. Sound (8)
   F. Heat (7)
   G. Electricity (13)
   H. Light (4)
   I. Optics (9)
   J. Laboratory Studies (7)
   K. Alternative Realities (30)

XVII. Chemistry and Magic (186)
   A. History of Chemistry (7)
   B. General Books (18)
   C. Introductory Works (13)
   D. Chemical Mathematics (3)
   E. Inorganic Chemistry (7)
   F. Organic Chemistry (13)
   G. Analytical Chemistry (30)
   H. Physical Chemistry (15)
      1. General Works (5)
      2. Diffusion Magic (5)
      3. Electrochemistry and Magnetochemistry (5)
   I. Applied Chemistry (83)
      1. General Works (8)
      2. Formulas and Potions (15)
      3. Paints and Varnishes (4)
      4. Ceramics and Glass (5)
      5. Leather (3)
      6. Transmutation (11)
      7. Explosives (2)
      8. Waxes (2)
      9. Perfumes and Cosmetics (6)
      10. Food Technology (8)
      11. Demonic Expugation (2)
      12. Textiles (2)
      13. Adhesives (4)
      14. Sulphur (1)
      15. Agriculture (1)
      16. Pulp and Paper (1)
      17. Printing and Inks (2)
      18. Oils and Fats (3)
      19. Soap (1)
      20. Drugs (1)
      21. Cleaning (1)

XVIII. Geology and Geophysics (106)
   A. Introductory and General Works (13)
   B. History of Geology (4)
   C. Physical Geology (12)
   D. Structural Geology (3)
   E. Historical Geology (3)
   F. Fossils (11)
   G. Earthquakes (6)
   H. Volcanoes (2)
   I. Rocks (11)
   J. Marine Geology (2)
   K. Mineralogy (18)
   L. Economic Geology (13)
   M. Geophysics (8)

XIX. Plant and Animal Life (244)
   A. General Biology (50)
      1. Introductions (26)
      2. Biological Anthropology (11)
      3. Microscopy (8)
      4. Biophysics and Magic (5)
   B. Botony (67)
      1. Introductions (15)
      2. Textbooks and Manuals (15)
      3. Geographical Distribution (7)
      4. Flowers (10)
      5. Trees (11)
      6. Flowerless Plants and Grasses (9)
   C. Zoology (95)
      1. Introductions (14)
      2. Marine and Freshwater Animals (16)
      3. Reptiles (8)
      4. Insects and Spiders (17)
      5. Birds (20)
      6. Mammals (7)
      7. Butterflies and Moths (2)
   D. Scientists’ Observations and Expeditions (11)
   E. Nature Study (32)
      1. Introductions (12)
      2. Nature Writers (20)

XX. Medical Sciences (192)
   A. History and Research (28)
   B. Anatomy and Physiology (33)
   C. Mind and Body (21)
   D. Public Health and Hygiene (20)
   E. Hospitals (6)
   F. Personal Health and Hygiene (10)
   G. Ailments and Diseases (24)
   H. Problems of Old Age (7)
   I. Nursing (14)
   J. Biographies (29)

XXI. Engineering Sciences (251)
   A. General Works (11)
   B. Applied Mechanics (11)
   C. Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics (10)
   D. Engineering Materials (22)
   E. Civil Engineering (75)
      1. History (3)
      2. Surveying (11)
      3. Structural Analysis and Design (9)
      4. Building Construction (36)
         a) General Works (18)
         b) Estimating (2)
         c) Carpentry (5)
         d) Masonry (11)
      5. Soil Mechanics and Foundations (6)
      6. Road Construction (7)
      7. Dam Construction (3)
   F. Sanitary Engineering (11)
   G. Mechanical Engineering (73)
      1. General Works (13)
      2. Mechanical Drawing (20)
      3. Foundry Work (6)
      4. Metalsmithing (14)
      5. Tool Design and Toolmaking (7)
      6. Mechanism Design (6)
      7. Golem Creation (7)
   H. Heat and Power Engineering (33)
      1. Thermodynamics (6)
      2. Steam Engineering (6)
      3. Fuels and Fuel Burners (6)
      4. Heating (9)
      5. Refridgeration (6)
   I. Chemical Engineering (5)

XXII. Mining and Metallurgy (96)
   A. Mining (24)
   B. Physical Metallurgy (16)
   C. Extractive Metallurgy (23)
   D. Powder Metallurgy (4)
   E. Metallurgy of Iron (15)
   F. Metallography (5)
   G. Alloys (9)

XXIII. Aeronautics (68)
   A. History (16)
   B. Creatures (13)
   C. Riding (18)
   D. Principles of Flying (7)
   E. Gliders (3)
   F. Rockets (5)
   G. Flight Field Management (6)

XXIV. Military and Naval Affairs (104)
   A. Military History (21)
   B. Military Strategy (27)
   C. Naval History (14)
   D. Naval Tactics (21)
   E. Air Warfare (3)
   F. Weapons (18)

XXV. Agriculture and Gardening (344)
   A. History (11)
   B. Farm Economy (12)
   C. Farm Management (30)
   D. Rural Life (15)
   E. Soils and Conservation (26)
   F. Pests (10)
   G. Vegetable Growing (8)
   H. Field Crops (16)
   I. Fruit Culture (12)
   J. Animal Husbandry (17)
   K. Dairying (7)
   L. Poultry (19)
   M. Bees (7)
   N. Game Birds and Fur-Bearing Animals (9)
   O. Forestry (23)
   P. Fisheries (8)
   Q. Gardening (114)
      1. Planning and Design (24)
      2. Garden Manuals (19)
      3. Growing Individual Flowers (17)
      4. Shrubs and Trees (16)
      5. Lawns (3)
      6. Vegetables and Fruits (10)
      7. Herbs (5)
      8. Indoor Gardening (8)
      9. Plant Diseases (7)
      10. Decorative Gardening (5)

XXVI. Food Making (75)
   A. General Works (6)
   B. Cookery (52)
      1. General Cookery (26)
      2. Regional Cookery (26)
   C. Wines and Liquors (5)
   D. Food Preservation (6)
   E. Service and Entertaining (6)