jjares reviewed Heroes of History: A Brief History of Civilization from Ancient Times to the Dawn of the Modern Age on + 3413 more book reviews
Over the years, I've read many volumes of Will and Ariel Durant's eleven-volume opus, "The Story of Civilization." Their writing is engaging and thought-provoking. Recently, I came across this book (an unfinished manuscript) that was discovered in their granddaughter's garage many years after Will's death. The beauty of this book is that Will has chosen historical persons to celebrate the magnificence of what humans can reach.
Durant chooses male heroes over a span of 2000 years. I had the opportunity to read this book with my ears, listening to Grover Gardener's wonderful recitation of this brilliant philosopher's work. Frankly, I had to slow down the reading speed (from 1.0 to .75) so that I could absorb the densely-written historical sketches. Durant makes complicated ideas and events clear with just a few words.
Durant's interest ranges widely. He moves from Confucius, Buddha, Greece, Rome, and the rise of the West. He spends considerable time on religious expression throughout the ages. This is a wonderful overview of world history from a master of the genre. I plan to read this again (with my eyes, not my ears) because Durant uses language in such beautiful ways. I really missed seeing the written word.
Durant chooses male heroes over a span of 2000 years. I had the opportunity to read this book with my ears, listening to Grover Gardener's wonderful recitation of this brilliant philosopher's work. Frankly, I had to slow down the reading speed (from 1.0 to .75) so that I could absorb the densely-written historical sketches. Durant makes complicated ideas and events clear with just a few words.
Durant's interest ranges widely. He moves from Confucius, Buddha, Greece, Rome, and the rise of the West. He spends considerable time on religious expression throughout the ages. This is a wonderful overview of world history from a master of the genre. I plan to read this again (with my eyes, not my ears) because Durant uses language in such beautiful ways. I really missed seeing the written word.
