Editorial Standards
Purpose of the catalogue
The TUBHU Public Domain Literature Library provides access to free, public-domain texts in the humanities, with an emphasis on ancient history and literature. The catalogue is curated to help readers discover works that are historically significant, well-translated, or representative of particular genres and periods.
Scope and selection
The collection currently includes 95 titles, primarily from the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, with additional works on Egypt, the Near East, and broader ancient civilizations. Selections are based on the editor's judgment of literary and historical merit, availability of stable editions, and relevance to common reader interests. The catalogue does not aim for comprehensive coverage of any subject.
Source attribution
Every book is sourced from Project Gutenberg editions, which are verified public-domain texts. Each record includes the original author, translator (if any), publisher, and a link to the source. The editor does not claim copyright over the texts; all are free to download and read.
Bibliographic records
Each book entry contains title, author, translator, publisher, keywords, target reader, and a catalogue note summarizing the work's content and the editor's perspective. Keywords are drawn from the original Project Gutenberg metadata and supplemented with general terms for discoverability.
Category assignment
Books are grouped into four categories based on broad thematic and geographical affinities. These categories are not mutually exclusive; some works could fit in more than one. The assignment reflects the editor's view of the work's primary subject, not an official classification system.
Editorial reading context
Each catalogue note is a brief observation based on the editor's reading of excerpts or the full text. Notes aim to highlight distinctive features of the work—narrative voice, structure, historical context—rather than to summarize every aspect. The editor does not claim to have read every book in full.
Edition facts and text measurements
Records indicate the edition used (usually a Project Gutenberg release) and the year of original publication where known. Text length, formatting details, and translation notes are provided when available. The catalogue does not include pagination or exact word counts.
Recommendations and related works
For each category, three recommended books are suggested with specific reasons. These recommendations are based on the works' accessibility, historical importance, or illustrative quality. The catalogue does not use algorithms or aggregated user ratings.
Corrections and reader reports
Readers may submit corrections, suggestions, or questions via the contact form at /contact-us. The editor reviews submissions and updates records as needed. The catalogue does not have a formal peer review process.
Public-domain limitations
All texts are in the public domain in the United States. Readers outside the US should verify the copyright status in their jurisdiction. The catalogue does not assert any rights over the texts themselves.
Accessibility and readable presentation
The website uses simple HTML with semantic markup and no intrusive elements. Pages are designed to be readable on various devices. The catalogue does not rely on JavaScript, images, or external resources for core functionality.
Independence and editorial responsibility
The catalogue is edited by Arthur Conrad, who has no institutional affiliation or financial interest in the texts. Editorial decisions are made independently, without advertising or sponsorship influence.
What the catalogue does not claim
The catalogue does not claim peer review, university affiliation, professional librarian credentials, or guaranteed copyright status. It does not assert that every book has been manually read in full. It does not use AI, language models, or SEO techniques to generate content. It does not imitate Terms of Use language.
Ongoing maintenance
The catalogue is updated periodically as new public-domain editions become available or as corrections are reported. There is no fixed schedule for updates. The editor may revise category assignments, notes, or recommendations as needed.