50Classics.com provides insightful information on key works in the personal development literature.

The site began as the companion website to the publication of Tom Butler-Bowdon's 50 Self-Help Classics in 2003. This initial site, known as butler-bowdon.com, presented versions of commentaries that appear in the book. Since then, 50Classics.com has expanded to include material adapted from Tom's subsequent titles in the series.

The 50 Classics concept is based on a belief that every subject or genre will contain at least 50 books that encapsulate its knowledge and wisdom. By creating a list of those landmark or representative titles, then providing commentaries that note the key points and assess the importance of each work, awareness of these key writings is spread to readers who may not otherwise have known of their existence.

50 Self-Help Classics was initially released in Australia only in 2001, then in the UK, US and rest of the world in 2003 by Nicholas Brealey Publishing. 50 Self-Help Classics has been translated into 16 languages and is sold in over 25 countries. In 2004 it won the US Benjamin Franklin Award, and was a finalist in Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year awards.

Tom's second book, 50 Success Classics (2004), covers the landmark works of motivation, prosperity and leadership. Rights have been sold in a dozen languages. His most recent work, 50 Spiritual Classics (2005) explores some of the famous writings and authors in personal awakening.

The next 50 Classics book is due for release in October 2006.

In the early 1990s, Tom was working as an adviser at the New South Wales Cabinet Office in Sydney, writing briefing papers for senior ministers. He took a year off to do further study in the UK, but put aside his political economy textbooks to read a growing pile of motivational and self-help literature. On his return to Australia, Tom spent some time in the Outback, where the idea came to him of writing about the classic books in the self-help literature.

Tom now writes full-time, runs 50Classics.com, and does select speaking engagements. He has a BA (Hons) degree in politics and history from the University of Sydney, and a Masters degree in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics.

Tom travels frequently between Australia and Britain, Asia and the United States.