A slim volume featuring Georges Perec's writings on the simple task of arranging books and what it can reveal about lifeOne of the most singular and extravagant imaginations of the twentieth century, the novelist and essayist Georges Perec was a true original who delighted in wordplay, puzzles, taxonomies and seeing the extraordinary in the everyday. In these virtuoso writings about books and language, he discusses different ways of reading, a list of the things he really must do before he dies and the power of words to overcome the chaos of the world.Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives-and upended them. Now Penguin brings you a new set of the acclaimed Great Ideas, a curated library of selections from the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

GREAT IDEAS SERIES HAS SOLD OVER 4 MILLION COPIES: Great Ideas series has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide, with over 55 titles in our Penguin Classics US catalog.BACKLIST OPPORTUNITIES: New titles to the series create an opportunity to sell strong backlist titles such as Why I Write by George Orwell and On the Shortness of Life by Seneca.FRESH SELECTION OF THINKERS: First selection of Great Ideas in over a decade showcases a diverse list of thinkers who have helped shape our world today, including stoics, feminists, anarchists and Zen Buddhists.BOOK DESIGN: As part of the long history of celebrated Penguin book design, Great Ideas bold typographic cover designs have been highly praised, winning prizes such as the D&AD award, and contribute to the collectible appeal of the series.