2. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (1719) By the end of the 19th century, no book in English literary history had enjoyed more editions, spin-offs and translations. Crusoe’s world-famous novel is a complex literary confection, and it’s irresistible. 3. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (1726) A satirical masterpiece that’s never been out of print, Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels comes third