69th Annual Great Books at Colby College
Waterville, Maine

Existential Perspectives,
July 20 – July 26, 2025

Join us this July for our annual week of discussions on the picturesque campus of Colby College. Connect with fellow book lovers and make lifelong friends, as you enjoy the beauty and splendor of summertime Maine. You may find yourself gaining insights rarely achieved while reading alone. Explore the complexities of Existential Perspectives that accompany people as they proceed through the vicissitudes of life.

Our week at Colby is now enhanced with the option of staying in air-conditioned dorms at the Alfond Main Street Commons, in downtown Waterville. Last year was our first time staying in the new high-rise dorm and people were very appreciative of this new modern accommodation which contains elevators, suites with separate bedrooms, full kitchens, a lounge and two restrooms with showers, as well as free laundry rooms in the hallways. The college also provides a free parking lot adjacent to the new dorm and frequent, round-the-clock shuttle service from the dorm to a central location on campus. Downtown Waterville itself has become nicely gentrified, with fine restaurants across the street from the dorm.

Nota Bene This year we have the opportunity to Revive Junior Great Books. Lulah Fort and Donna Crane have graciously offered to do so, if there is sufficient interest. They write, “For a dozen or more years before Covid, Great Books at Colby offered a program for young people (ages 5-16) alongside the one for adults. Parents and grandparents were able to bring along children and grandchildren who enjoyed supervised structured activities in the morning, while their adults were having book discussions, and then afternoon book groups of their own, interactively discussing books with their peers."

According to Donna and Lulah, "To restart the program, we need to gauge interest of participants and their age to determine appropriate books.”

If you have any interest in bringing one or more young people to a revived Junior Great Books program, please contact:

Email: Lulah Fort or
Email: John Dalton before February 15th.

Based on interest, we will decide the viability of restarting for
the coming year.

Discussion Groups This unforgettable vacation brings together readers who love great literary works and provides an opportunity to socialize with those sharing that enthusiasm. We eat all our meals together on campus, and participate in formal discussion groups that meet for two hours each morning, Monday through Saturday, in campus classrooms. Books are mailed once registration deposits are received, and people are expected to have read them before arriving. Readers develop insights through the Great Books Foundation’s Shared Inquiry Method. Not quoting outside sources facilitates an egalitarian discussion wherein the emphasis is truly on readers and the text. Discussion leaders move from group to group during the week. A leaderless group is available upon request for experienced participants if preferred.

Campus and Off-Campus Accommodations After discussions, participants are invited to use the many recreational, athletic and cultural opportunities available on campus for free. In addition to an informative opening night orientation and the ever popular Thursday evening Talent Show (strictly voluntary and always a lot of fun), there are a wide variety of activities. Colby’s beautiful campus features an impressive, classic library with a fascinating Rare Books Collection, a highly rated Art Museum, excellent athletic facilities with an Olympic- sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and an arboretum with hiking trails. In addition, our week of Great Books at Colby is scheduled in conjunction with the Atlantic Music Festival (www.atlanticmusicfestival.org), also held on campus, which provides a series of excellent free classical concerts and recitals.

Come explore the opportunities available through these links.

• Print the Complete Registration Form for 2025 Colby
• Campus and Off-Campus Accomodations

More info about the new dorm at Alfond Main Street Commons can be found on the Colby website, Where to Live .

• Recreational Activities

After discussions, participants are invited to use the many recreational, athletic and cultural opportunities available on campus for free.

• Contact Information and Travel Arrangements

For questions about the program or housing, please contact John Dalton at 610-608-7711 or Email: agreatbook@aol.com For questions about Colby, please call Special Programs at 207-859-4730

Covid Protocols

We are fully prepared to meet and comply with all required safety protocols. Attendees must adhere to CDC protocols as well as Colby College's own Covid safety protocols.

We invite you with confidence to join us in-person for our annual lively week of discussions on the traditional and picturesque campus of Colby College.