The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini

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 University's longest-serving president. Also known as "Dr. Eliot's Five Foot Shelf," it represented Eliot's 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.