Durant considers history as important an aspect of philosophy as metaphysics, and here he shines with a polished historians touch see will durant story of civilization. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 1047 pages and is available in hardcover format. It was followed by a revised second edition released on 1933. The story of philosophy is a key book for any reader who wishes to survey the history and development. In this compact summation of their work, will and ariel durant share the vital and profound lessons of our collec.
Simple minds read hume and nietzche because they are easy to read and appeal for a need to feel smart. The lives and opinions of the greater philosophers is a 1926 book by will durant, in which he profiles several prominent western philosophers and their ideas, beginning with socrates and plato and on through friedrich nietzsche. The story of philosophy is a key book for any reader who wishes to survey the history. This is the classic reference on world history, recognized as the most comprehensive general history ever written, the result of four decades of work by will and ariel durant a set that the new york times called a splendid, broad panorama of hereditary culture in words and images that the layman can fully understand.
He became best known for his work the story of civilization, 11 volumes written in collaboration with his wife, ariel durant, and published between 1935 and 1975. It covers everything, to a level of detail that tantalises the reader, enticing them to read further into the text, and more by the same authors. A concise survey of the culture and civilization of mankind, the lessons of history is the result of a lifetime of research from pulitzer prizewinning historians will and ariel durant. Heroes of history carries on this tradition of making schoalrship and philosophy understandable to the general reader, and making them good reading as well. It covers not only the history of western philosophy, as bertand russells book did over 70 years ago, but also philosophies from around the world, including india, china, arabia and africa. In 1926, he published the story of philosophy, which had begun life as a series of pamphlets. The name the story of philosophy indicates the focus, which is not just to present the work of various philosophers but to weave them together. Jan 07, 2015 will and ariel durant the lessons of history. What books should i read after finishing the story of. A survey of human life and destiny, garden city, n. Id rather have written his book on the story of philosophy than to have done.
It totals four million words across nearly 10,000 pages, with 2 further books. He was earlier noted for his book, the story of philosophy, written in 1926, which was considered a groundbreaking work. Jul 27, 2018 will durant was awarded the presidential medal of freedom and a pulitzer prize. Nov 20, 2019 in 1926, will durant brought out the story of philosophy, an engagingly written account of what great thinkers from plato to william james thought about life, the universe and everything. It was written in first half of this century, but in general still makes for a good introduction to history. He captures the history of greece, but also places greece firmly within the greater context western civilization, history, and our current philosophy, science, and. The first edition of the novel was published in 1935, and was written by will durant. I love collecting all the classic books which are related to christian spiritual growth, children scienceart history etc. The story of philosophy kindle edition by durant, will. The story of philosophy by will durant pdf download categories. Durant has been privileged to address himself, as a lecturer, to.
While not finished, the story of civilization is still something to admire. Sep 26, 2015 the story of philosophy is a key book for any reader who wishes to survey the history and development of philosophical ideas in the western world. Compared to this western philosophy has a very short history of 15002000 years and you will have to read less. I will answer for the beginner and for the advanced student. William james will durant was an american writer, historian, and philosopher. Durant even drafted a declaration of interdependence in the early 1940s.
Will durant and the story of philosophy tigerpapers. Full text of the story of philosophy will durant see other formats. Durant attempts to show the interconnection of their ideas and how one philosophers ideas. This is the second volume of the classic pulitzer prizewinning series history of ancient greek civilization education materials historical. Introduction to will durants, the story of philosophy.
If i had a choice of just 11 books to take into isolation for the rest of my reading days i would take the story of civilization by will and ariel durant. The author of 53 books during his lifetime, durant is best known for the story of philosophy and the 11 volume set, the story of civilization, which he produced with his wife, ariel. Will and ariel durant tried to bring philosophy and an understanding of history to the common man and woman. He perceived philosophy as a means to unify and humanize historical knowledge. The book became a bestseller and freed durant from his teaching career and allowed him and his wife to travel and. Will durant, an american philosopher, historian and 1968s pulitzer prize winning author cowrote the story of civilization, an elevenvolume work with his writer wife, ariel durant. The story of philosophy by will durant books library.
Will durant books list of books by author will durant. Durant introduces the era before he introduces the philosopher, for humanity inspires humanity, and these giants have benefactors of their own. Here is a collection of will durant quotes about civilization, books, philosophy, india, history, life, science, failures, mistakes, education, liberty and much more. He is best known for the 11volume the story of civilization, written in collaboration with his wife ariel and published between 1935 and 1975. The lives and opinions of the greater philosophers audiobook written by will durant. About the author will durant 18851981 was awarded the pulitzer prize 1968 and the presidential medal of freedom 1977. Few write for the nonspecialist as well as will durant, and this book is a splendid example of his eminently readable scholarship. This is the volume that covers basically what would be called noneuropean or nonwestern cultures. He conceived of philosophy as total perspective or seeing things sub specie totius. A history of greek civilization from the beginnings, and of civilization in the near east from the death of alexander to the roman conquest. These pages are packed with wisdom and winged with wit. Recommended by numerous educational institutions recommend us, including oxford university, michigan state university, and university of minnesota. Historian and philosopher will durant seton hall university.
The lessons of history audiobook by will, ariel durant. The series was written over a span of more than five decades. The lives and opinions of the greater philosophers is a 1926 book by will durant, in which he profiles several prominent western. Heroes of history is a book of lifeenhancing wisdom and optimism, complete with durant s wit, knowledge, and unique ability to explain events and ideas in simple, exciting terms. This book sold two million copies in a few years and has sold three million copies to date. The authors devoted five decades to the study of world history and philosophy, culminating in the masterful 11volume story of civilization. An endlessly inspiring and instructive chronicle of the worlds great thinkers, from aristotle to santayana. Hell read sarte if you can but dont read the dimple minded stuff. It is the lessons of our heritage passed on for the edification and benefit of future generationsa fitting legacy from americas most beloved historian and. Ancient history encyclopedia receives a small commission for each book sold through our affiliate partners. His first major work was the story of philosophy in 1926, which i will compare with russells similarlythemed 1945 work, a history of western philosophy.
Having earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1917 from columbia university, durant first won fame and phenomenal success with the story of philosophy 1926. Philosophy new, used and rare books and ephemera at biblio. In this compact summation of their work, will and ariel durant share the vital and profound lessons of our collective past. Share will durant quotations about liberty, philosophy and chaos. Its a great overview of the history of philosophy, told as a story where one set of ideas leads into the next. Jun 20, 2019 i have now completed anthony graylings history of philosophy and can truly say that it is a comprehensive and highly impressive work. Here, in one book for the layman, is a whole university course in philosophy, written in durant s unique, lively, and concise style. A brief history of civilization from ancient times to the dawn of the modern age ebook 9780743229104 by will durant.
Its just a bit dense and hard to get through at times. Durant received his phd from columbia university in 1917. The lives and opinions of the worlds greatest philosophers tags. November 5, 1885 november 7, 1981 was an american writer, historian, and philosopher. The story of philosophy, will durant the story of philosophy. He presents a wide range of thought, from ancient greek to modern.
The series of story of civilization is worthy to collect. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read story of philosophy. Durant s choice of philosophers may seem to be unreasonable, but it serves his purpose. It has probably introduced more americans to philosophy than any other book. It totals four million words across nearly 10,000 pages, with 2 further books in production at the time of the authors deaths. The story of civilization 11 volume set by will durant. This book is an almost impossibly concise summary of the human condition. The story of philosophy by will durant is an excellent book which discusses the lives and works of famous philosophers from ancient greek to recent.
Durant attempts to show the interconnection of their ideas and how one philosophers ideas informed the next. To find the best books on the history of philosophy, we must first identify the level of the student. These book notes are mostly excerpts of interesting thoughts, theyre all direct quotations from the book. He became a teacher and starting writing, becoming a very successful author penning the story of philosophy. The story of civilization, by husband and wife will and ariel durant, is an 11volume set of books covering western history for the general reader.
With their accessible compendium of philosophy and social progress, the durants take us on a journey through history, exploring the possibilities and limitations of humanity over time. Pdf our oriental heritage book by will durant free download. Books by will durant author of the story of philosophy. A history of civilization in western europe from 1715 to 1756, with special emphasis on the conflict between religion and philosophy the story of civilization, vol. It is an excellent introduction to history and the philosophy of history. Will durant, the life of greece will durant, during his strongest moments in book 2, transfers his love of greek history, philosophy, art, and civilization elegantly to the reader. While extensive as it can be, the story of civilization was never complete, the durant couple died before its completion with 11 novels complete. The story of philosophy and millions of other books are available for instant access. The story of philosophy durant, will 8601416405896. They succeeded admirably, and some thirty years after reading this book i still turn to it in order to understand events occurring around me. The story of philosophy was originally published in 1926. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Heroes of history book by will durant official publisher.
This volume covers near eastern history until the fall of the achaemenid empire in the 330s bc, and the history of india, china, and japan up to the 1930s. It is one of the first philosophy books i ever read and, thanks to a gift from my soninlaw, i own a signed copy. He was earlier noted for the story of philosophy, described as a groundbreaking work that helped to popularize philosophy. The product of 11 years of research, the story of philosophy is an endlessly inspiring and instructive chronicle of the worlds greatest thinkers, from. The iliad penguin classics deluxe edition by homer. This is the first book in the series by will durant about the story of civilization.
Jul 24, 2012 few write for the nonspecialist as well as will durant, and this book is a splendid example of his eminently readable scholarship. Buy the story of philosophy book online at low prices in india. Every chapter, every paragraph in this book will offend or amuse some patriotic or esoteric soul. See all books authored by will durant, including the story of philosophy, and the lessons of history, and more on. The book also examines the philosophers setting in their own time and place, and their influence on our modern intellectual heritage. The story of philosophy by will durant pdf book maza. The story of philosophy is a key book for any reader who wishes to survey the history and development of philosophical ideas in the western world. Free download or read online our oriental heritage pdf epub book.
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