‘Seize the moment!’ is the key message in this book that ultimately raises the question of what constitutes an educated and enlightened mind. Barry Jones is a well recognised Australian icon, and in his latest book, The Shock of Recognition, he details the literature and music that have helped to shape his life, his thinking and his understanding of himself and the world.

Despite his assertion that it is not a general guidebook to literature and music,it is indeed a guidebook. It takes the traveller (the reader) on a tour de force of Jones’ favourite music and literature, and offers clues as to the source of his antipathy towards what he calls the ‘shallowness and toxicity’ of contemporary public life in Australia. As with all guidebooks, it is up to the reader to decide where he or she travels, but Jones exhorts the reader to explorate another world, one that can be found in great music and writing.

Though his choice of literature and music is confined to that of the Western world, the depth of the author’s knowledge is astonishing. He is able to recommend a particular translation of a book or the best recording of a musical work, be it an opera or a concerto. Who but a scholar would have read six versions of Dante’s Divine Comedy and be able to recommend the best?

Jones summarises many of the works he is passionate about and this will be of value to those who need an introduction to the writings of Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, Montaigne, Cervantes, Tolstoy, Proust and many other authors. His musical tastes range from Ancient music through the Baroque and the Classical periods to Contemporary works. Jones lists what he believes are the 60 greatest musical works, and even though the reader may disagree with his choices, they provide a good starting point for exploration and critical thought.

Despite its depth, this book is an easy and enjoyable read. The author’s style is fluent, lucid, unpretentious and friendly with dashes of wry humour. A reading must!

Peter Gordon is a friend of Readings.