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"The Durants' masterpiece belongs in any home library and occupies a shelf in many."
--Dana D. Kelley, "Arkansas Democrat-Gazette"
Product Description
In this illuminating and thoughtful book, Will and Ariel Durant have succeeded in distilling for the reader the accumulated store of knowledge and experience from their five decades of work on the eleven monumental volumes of The Story of Civilization. The result is a survey of human history, full of dazzling insights into the nature of human experience, the evolution of civilization, and the culture of man. With the completion of their life's work, they look back and ask what history has to say about the nature, the conduct and the prospects of man, seeking in the great lives, the great ideas, the great events of the past for the meaning of man's long journey through war, conquest and creation - and for the great themes that can help us to understand our own era.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The fruit of more than 50 years of labour for all of us to savour.In less than 150 pages the author has condensed lessons drawn from the entire course of human history.The language and style is typical of Mr. Durant and is a pleasure to read. Recommended for all students of history as it will deepen understanding of mankind's past and enlighten our present. A true classic.
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio Cassette
This book was assigned reading for an MBA program I took in 1983.For the first time I was presented with the ideas that described how we fit in the universe along with why we behave as we do.I was in my late 30's , an engineer by trade.I knew the historical behavior patterns of our numerous societies over the spectrum of recorded history, yet had failed to reduce these observations to a lowest common denominator.
Will and Ariel Durant segment our history and nature into basic, simple to read chapters, that explain in simple terms how societies have strived to achieve the Utopias we all dream of.
I was stunned at how history repeats itself and humbled at the fact that "the foibles of mans dreams" are the same today as they were a thousand years ago.
If your ego has convinced you that solutions to the challenges of society are within the grasp of our lives today,don't read this book!
On the other hand,if you are prepared to recognize that our species is nothing more than 4000 years of recorded history compared with 14,000,000 years of evolutionary development,sit back and enjoy!
This is not a book for individuals who have "new PC ideas as to the nature of mankind".They will find that their ideas are same-o,same-o.
Will and Ariel summerize a huge work in one volume that can be read in a day.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Will and Ariel Durant tried to bring Philosophy and an understanding of History to the common man and woman. They succeeded admirably, and some thirty years after reading this book I still turn to it in order to understand events occurring around me. This is no scholarly tome, but an invaluable manual for those seeking a better understanding of the world around us. It should be compulsory reading for all those aspiring to public office.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great reminder that humans never learn from history
This is a very well written book outlining how humans have progressed through history in terms of religious beliefs, philosophy, politics and economics. Read more
Published 8 months ago by A. Warwick
A fascinating read
One of the best books ever written by Will Durant. What language! What prose! What style! Every page in the book comes forth like a breath of fresh air. Read more
Published 15 months ago by K. S. Kanagasabai
The best history book I have ever read.
For me to give a book on history 5 stars is incredible. I really didn't enjoy history at school, if only I had been given this to read then. I would recommend this book to anyone. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Adrian
Knowledge in a nut shell
I'm a professor teaching semiotics to university students. To do so I relate all discussions to history and its repercussions on cultural expression. Read more
Published 19 months ago by edrozzo
Awesome summary and conclusions from their life's work
Short and to the point. Easy to read. Incredibly accurate. Would recommend to anyone.
Published on 1 April 1999
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