The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini: The Five Foot Shelf of Classics Vol. XXXI (in 51 Volumes)

Originally published between 1909 and 1917 under the name Harvard Classics this stupendous 51-volume set-a collection of the greatest writings from literature philosophy history and mythology-was assembled by American academic CHARLES WILLIAM ELIOT (1834-1926) Harvard Universitys longest-serving president. Also known as Dr. Eliots Five Foot Shelf it represented Eliots belief that a basic liberal education could be gleaned by reading from an anthology of works that could fit on five feet of bookshelf. Volume XXXI is considered one of the greatest autobiographies ever written by Italian BENVENUTO CELLINI (1500-1571). Literally a Renaissance man making a name for himself as an artist soldier and musician-his works are still readily found all over European museums and public places-he is perhaps most famous for his life story. Highly readable and hugely entertaining it is replete with tales of illicit romance murder angelic visions his own poisoning and many other salacious affairs.