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A universe of knowledge, freely explored

The best resources to learn anything, hand-picked.

Dantes is a free directory of the best books, courses, videos and podcasts for 2,089 topics, from piano to machine learning. Every pick is reviewed by a person. No algorithms, no ads, no paid placements.

16
Categories
186
Subcategories
2,089
Topics
11,977
Resources

How Dantes works

A map of what to learn, and the best place to learn it.

Picked by people, not ranked by algorithms

Every resource passes four tests: who made it, whether it teaches you to think, whether it replaces three weaker ones, and free first. Nobody can pay to be listed or ranked higher.

How we curate

Free first, paid clearly labelled

Free courses, lectures and open textbooks come first. A paid course only gets in when nothing free comes close. Books are marked Paid, though any public library can lend them.

Why Dantes

Organised like a map

16 domains, 186 fields and 2,089 topics, each with its resources sorted from beginner to advanced. Stop comparing tabs and start learning.

See the learning map

Browse by subject

Every subject, mapped.

16 domains · 2,089 topics · 11,977 hand-picked resources

See every topic on the learning map

Questions

Before you set sail

What is Dantes?

Dantes is a free, hand-curated directory of learning resources. For each of 2,089 topics, it lists the best books, courses, videos, podcasts and websites, sorted from beginner to advanced. It is not a course platform: it points you to the best material wherever it lives. About Dantes →

Is Dantes free?

Yes. There are no subscriptions, paywalls or premium tiers, and you do not need an account. Most of the resources it lists are free as well, and the ones that cost money are labelled Paid.

Why are some resources marked Paid?

Free resources come first. A paid course only gets in when it is the definitive resource in its field and nothing free comes close. Books are chosen on quality alone and marked Paid because they cost money to buy, but most public libraries can lend them.

How are resources chosen?

Every resource has to pass four tests: authority (who made it), rigor (does it teach how to think about the subject), economy (one definitive resource beats five fragments) and free first. A person reviews each one before it is listed, and nobody can pay to be listed or ranked higher. How we curate →

How is Dantes different from searching Google or YouTube?

Search engines and video platforms rank what keeps you clicking. Dantes ranks nothing by engagement: it keeps a short list of the best resources per topic, so you can stop comparing tabs and start learning. Why Dantes →

Can I suggest a resource?

Yes. Anyone can suggest a resource, and every suggestion goes through the same four tests as the rest of the library. Suggest a resource →

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Alexandre Dumas, 1844

"Wait and Hope."

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