The book "The History of Criticism and Literary Taste in Europe from the Earliest Texts to the Present. Volume 1 (of 3). Classical and Medieval Criticism" by George Saintsbury is a colossal scholarly work that traces the evolution of critical thinking and literary taste in Europe over the centuries. The author examines in detail the typology of critical approaches that existed in different eras, starting from antiquity and ending with the Middle Ages. In the first volume, the author focuses on classical and medieval criticism, revealing the main principles, ideas and methods that were reflected in the reception of works in this period. The reader will get an in-depth acquaintance with various concepts of literary criticism, as well as with evaluations of prominent figures in the cultural life of each era. The author carefully analyzes the relationship between literature and the context of his time, revealing the influence of society on the formation of the literary canon. This book will be an inexhaustible source of knowledge for everyone who is interested in the development of literary thought in Europe and wants to better understand the connection between cultural traditions and the literary sphere. George Saintsbury has invested his erudition and professionalism in this work, making it an integral part of the bookshelf of any admirer of literature and culture.