Not a new idea https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Classics If you simply want an education you only need a library card. If you want a degree it becomes a bit more complicated.
Very interesting idea that has already been "done" in a similar manner with the MBA: https://personalmba.com/best-business-books/
I don't see this as being the same as the Harvard Classics or any Personal/Portable/Potemkin MBA. It looks more a guide to learning materials than in index of them. The first review at Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OHZYWL2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lawproblo-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00OHZYWL2&linkId=7b6bac703f55ad7b665792b187615987, includes, "That my degree, laden with disjointed courses in language, history, science, and math, would be bought at too dear a price!" That the standard educational model is all "disjointed courses" is a bug of mine as I think it would be better to focus on one field at a time.
You would probably be happier with a British university as the Commonwealth System is much more focused on a singular subject. The American system is much more Liberal Arts oriented with people required to take many credits of "general education" courses that are not directly related to their field of interest. There are pros and cons to each system.
Well, my time has passed so this isn't about me. My problem isn't with the scope of education but with the "disjointed" nature of class scheduling. Going from a history class to a math class to one in your major, etc., encourages, if not forces, studying to the test rather than retention of what is ostensibly being learned.
This. No one is fooling themselves, you don't pay for education, you pay for the credential. Credentials = $$$$$
Actually clicking on the (affiliate) Amazon link led to an interesting conclusion. Of the top 5 "Customers of this book also bought" books, 2 are by Milo Yianopoulos and one is by Vox Day. From this, I gather that many are taking the mantra of "study liberal arts, but not in a university" REALLY seriously!
That tracks. Antipathy towards the modern left-leaning ivory tower and a pining for the traditional liberal arts approach are both common themes among those sorts of conservatives.
I see what you're saying and this point got me thinking about different "brands" of conservatives. By definition, we would think that "conservatives" in general would be interested in more traditional approaches, both in curriculum and in the makeup of university faculty and administration (which hasn't always been as overwhelmingly left-leaning), but apparently, some are less interested in these considerations than others.