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The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time Audiobook
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(4.19) - 37 listener ratings
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A wise and witty compendium of the greatest thoughts, greatest minds, and greatest books of all time—listed in accessible and succinct form—by one of the world's greatest scholars.
From the "Hundred Best Books" to the "Ten Greatest Thinkers" to the "Ten Greatest Poets," here is a concise collection of the world's most significant knowledge. For the better part of a century, Will Durant dwelled upon—and wrote about—the most significant eras, individuals, and achievements of human history. His selections have finally been brought together in a single, compact volume. Durant eloquently defends his choices of the greatest minds and ideas, but he also stimulates readers into forming their own opinions, encouraging them to shed their surroundings and biases and enter "The Country of the Mind," a timeless realm where the heroes of our species dwell.
From a thinker who always chose to exalt the positive in the human species, The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time stays true to Durant's optimism. This is a book containing the absolute best of our heritage, passed on for the benefit of future generations. Filled with Durant's renowned wit, knowledge, and unique ability to explain events and ideas in simple and exciting terms, this is a pocket-size liberal arts and humanist curriculum in one volume.
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"Will Durant was an amazing historian. He and his wife Ariel wrote The Story of Civilization series. As well, he wrote a list of the top 100 books any historian should read (although there are many to be added since he died). This is a great, concise compilation... "
— doug (5 out of 5 stars)
The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time Listener Reviews
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Timothy Mott Sr, 7/19/2021
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" Great philosopher who viewed history not as a dreary succession of impersonal dates and reigns, but as taking place through human beings who loved, fought, dreamed and achieved. . "
— Jerry, 12/19/2013 -
" With eloquence, Will Durant weaves an objective map of history's genius. Although some parts lengthy (mostly because I had trouble following references to pieces of history I was not familiar with) , most of the book was inspiringly beautiful. "
— Courtney, 12/11/2013 -
" Will Durant was an amazing historian. He and his wife Ariel wrote The Story of Civilization series. As well, he wrote a list of the top 100 books any historian should read (although there are many to be added since he died). This is a great, concise compilation... "
— doug, 4/6/2013 -
" Philosophy, very good book of lists- if you want to study Philosophy this book is a great start. "
— Freddie, 3/16/2013 -
" The book is mostly made up of lists of the top thinkers, poets, etc. It's fairly easy to read but is it conclusive? The idea is put forth that there are great thinkers and then the rest of us who appear to be content to let others do the thinking for us. "
— Evalyn, 9/30/2012 -
" This book contained all the "greats" I wanted to either review or read about for the first time. It afforded me that opportunity. I only gave it 3 stars because the writing style was not for me. Perhaps I'm just not erudite enough to appreciate it but it felt too choppy. "
— Sally, 9/7/2012 -
" God, this book is awful. To be fair, it was compiled & edited by someone else, so hopefully it's excuse is that its parts and pieces were never meant to coexist, much like a literary Frankenstein. "
— AndreaZ, 8/10/2012 -
" Insightful, witty, concise, entertaining. Surprisingly eloquent and considered despite its extreme brevity. A must read. "
— Lyn, 6/25/2012 -
" Excellent as a brief, broad view of Western history and literature. I also loved "100 Books for an Education" just for the fact that the task was undertaken. "
— Matt, 1/23/2012 -
" Interesting read given how controversial the title is. The writing style is rich and is a treat in itself. A list of books for a complete "education." "
— Amit, 8/9/2011 -
" A must read for every history buff. Thoroughly enjoyable from cover to cover. "
— Michael, 3/26/2011 -
" Philosophy, very good book of lists- if you want to study Philosophy this book is a great start. "
— Freddie, 11/14/2009 -
" This book contained all the "greats" I wanted to either review or read about for the first time. It afforded me that opportunity. I only gave it 3 stars because the writing style was not for me. Perhaps I'm just not erudite enough to appreciate it but it felt too choppy. "
— Sally, 8/6/2009 -
" Great philosopher who viewed history not as a dreary succession of impersonal dates and reigns, but as taking place through human beings who loved, fought, dreamed and achieved. . "
— Bigdaddrock, 5/26/2009 -
" Interesting read given how controversial the title is. The writing style is rich and is a treat in itself. A list of books for a complete "education." "
— Amit, 3/2/2009 -
" With eloquence, Will Durant weaves an objective map of history's genius. Although some parts lengthy (mostly because I had trouble following references to pieces of history I was not familiar with) , most of the book was inspiringly beautiful. "
— Courtney, 1/2/2009 -
" The book is mostly made up of lists of the top thinkers, poets, etc. It's fairly easy to read but is it conclusive? The idea is put forth that there are great thinkers and then the rest of us who appear to be content to let others do the thinking for us. "
— Evalyn, 1/26/2008
About Will Durant
Will Durant (1885–1981) was an award-winning American writer, historian, and philosopher. He and his wife were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1968 for Rousseau and Revolution, and he was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Durant spent over forty years writing the critically acclaimed eleven-volume Story of Civilization, the later volumes with the help of his wife, Ariel. He sought to revitalize history by unifying and humanizing the great body of historical knowledge, which had become voluminous and fragmented into esoteric subcategories. He also strove to bring philosophy to the common man. Durant was a champion of human rights, social reform, and the brotherhood of man long before they became well-known issues.
About John Little
John Little is considered to be one of the world’s foremost authorities on Bruce Lee and Will Durant. He’s the only person who has ever been authorized to review the entirety of Lee’s personal notes, sketches, and reading annotations, giving him an insider’s look at Lee’s training methods and philosophies.