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The Lessons of History (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Will Play Audiobook Sample

The Lessons of History Audiobook (Unabridged)

By: Will
The Lessons of History (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Will Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Grover Gardner Publisher: AudioGO Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.88 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: May 2004 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN:
3.99651542649728 out of 53.99651542649728 out of 53.99651542649728 out of 53.99651542649728 out of 53.99651542649728 out of 5 (4.00) - 551 listener ratings
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Publisher Description

The authors devoted five decades to the study of world history and philosophy, culminating in the masterful 11-volume Story of Civilization. In this compact summation of their work, Will and Ariel Durant share the vital and profound lessons of our collective past. Their perspective, gained after a lifetime of thinking and writing about the history of humankind, is an invaluable resource for us today. The rare archival recordings of the Durants in conversation, made from 1957-1977, illuminate our present condition and offer insightful guidance for the future.

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"I'm giving this book a high rating no because I agree with it. But it is important to see where historiography was at in the 60's. Durants' main point is that the strong,tenacious, breeding society will win the day and that the world will only unite as one when aliens attack us. This is the antithesis of what Jesus taught. Also Gandhi. They also say the monarchy is the most stable successful form of government and that the church is important only because it serve as a personal behavior moderator and a societal babysitter. They put no importance in spirituality, forgiveness or hope. What a bleak picture they paint for the world. The frightening thing is that this is what history teaches. I do like the chapter they write explaining social Darwinism. They make the case for it pretty well and the person who read the book before me ate it up. Highlighted lines everywhere. Scary. But the Durants end the chapter with a short plea to treat each individual based on their merits. But since they seem so Darwinian in their view of humanity I don't see why they would try to distance themselves fromthe social application of his work. They do it weakly. Historiographers need to read this. It's part of our heritage as historians. I'm grateful I was not taught to think this way in graduate school although I got some of it growing up at home and in certain religious interpretations obsessed with knowing who could wield God's power and who could not based on inheritance. My educators (church and school) encouraged me to hold tightly to ideals of humane living, tolerance, and hope for a better future. If I had the Durants as teachers, I'd slit my wrists."

— Heather (4 out of 5 stars)

The Lessons of History (Unabridged) Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.86666666666667 out of 53.86666666666667 out of 53.86666666666667 out of 53.86666666666667 out of 53.86666666666667 out of 5 (3.87)
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  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting, but I was looking for more in-depth analysis of historical events and deeper insights into what worked and what didn't, and why, even if it was all merely the authors's opinions. "

    — Stephen, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting thoughts on the struggle between equality and freedom. Made me think of Tolstoy's essay, Patriotism or Peace. It's funny how two ideals can be so contradictory. Gotta find the middle road I guess. "

    — Mike, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Most profundity per page of any book I've ever read "

    — Patrick, 1/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Quickest read of history in general. I loved how the authors broke the chapters in to how history is improtant in different areas, i.e biology, economics, religion, etc. This book and Durant's others is finally giving me a bigger picture into the flow of history . .. not just the naes and dates! "

    — Julia, 12/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very interesting. The concepts presented including philosophy in history gives much food for thought. It will take several more go around a before I can really get my head around much of this book, "

    — David, 12/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Awesome perspective on what makes civilizations succeed or fail - morality! Will Durant wrote 14 volumes and then summed it up with this book. He also was very anti-religious when he began writing, 60 years and many volumes later he changed his mind. "

    — Ryan, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I love anything by Durant! "

    — Elizabeth, 10/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This short, 100 page book is pretty good. Refreshingly written before political correctness, the Durants do a fine job of synthesizing what they learned writing the 10 or 11 volumes on The History of Civilization. Highly recommended. "

    — J, 11/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Written by historians and philosophers, this book examines global patters of history from perspectives of religion, government, economy, etc. Written in 1968 and still resonating today, but I found the scope of the material was just too enormous for this small 100+ page book. "

    — Krys, 12/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " short and sweet...audio version was cool. interesting sections, but believe i should check out their more extended volumes. "

    — Jose, 11/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " OK, but didn't finish it. History of the world in a couple of hundred pages is never going to do anything justice I guess... "

    — Alistair, 12/24/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Its full of pertinent conclusions. Primarily being the lessons learned from the "History of civilizations" draws attention towards earlier works. "

    — Farhan, 3/24/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Although i object to the authors accusing every development with loss of morals however i do admire the simplicity and clariness with which every aspect of history was explained...a must read book "

    — Nahla, 1/29/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I have a feeling that I would not think the same of this book now as I did when I read it... "

    — Alesha, 7/31/2006
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is the least interesting of the many volumes of the Durant's ten volume history of civilization, all of which after the first are very good. It is also by far the shortest. "

    — Erik, 6/13/2006