Each of the 100 books selected for inclusion have made significant impacts upon different aspects of our lives, including world religions, politics, sciences, arts and theater, and social awareness. Books from ancient times, such as Egyptian Book of the Dead, The Koran and The Republic by Plato are included. So are Common Sense by Thomas Paine, Cartaguena Manifesto by Simon Bolivar, and Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Some of the more contemporary books are: Ulysses by James Joyce, and Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.