Billy Budd by Herman Melville

Set in the late 18th century, this novel tells the story of Billy Budd, a handsome, charismatic, but uneducated sailor who is forced to leave his merchant ship and join the crew of a British warship. Despite his popularity among the crew, he inadvertently makes an enemy of the master-at-arms, who falsely accuses him of mutiny. In a moment of panic, Budd accidentally kills his accuser, leading to his own court-martial and execution, despite the captain's reluctance and the crew's support. The novel explores themes of innocence, corruption, and the complexities of moral judgment.

The 1079th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 348

Since this book was first published in 1924, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 348.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.