The Lessons of History - Paperback
The Lessons of History - Paperback
About this item
The Lessons of History
by Will Durant (Author), Ariel Durant (Author)
What can the rise and fall of civilizations reveal about human nature, society, power, and the future?
In The Lessons of History, acclaimed historians Will Durant and Ariel Durant draw upon more than five decades of historical research to examine the recurring forces that have shaped human civilization. Based on insights developed throughout their monumental eleven-volume The Story of Civilization, this concise work presents a broad perspective on the patterns behind historical change.
Rather than focusing on one particular period, the Durants explore the larger forces that influence societies across centuries. They examine the relationship between economics and politics, wealth and inequality, war and peace, religion and culture, government and social organization, as well as the persistent influence of human nature.
Why do civilizations rise and eventually decline? What drives political and social change? How does economic inequality affect societies? Why do nations repeatedly enter into conflict? And what can the experiences of previous generations teach us about the world we live in today?
Written with the clarity and accessibility for which the Durants became known, The Lessons of History offers readers a compact introduction to some of the most enduring questions in world history and civilization.
Whether you are interested in world history, philosophy, sociology, political history, human nature, economics, civilization, or social change, this classic provides a thought-provoking way to look beyond individual historical events and recognize the broader patterns connecting them.
Author Biography
Will Durant (1885-1981) was awarded the Pulitzer Prize (1968) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1977). He spent more than fifty years writing his critically acclaimed eleven-volume series, The Story of Civilization (the later volumes written in conjunction with his wife, Ariel). A champion of human rights issues, such as the brotherhood of man and social reform, long before such issues were popular, Durant's writing still educates and entertains readers around the world.
Will and Ariel Durant, after spending over fifty years completing the critically acclaimed series The Story of Civilization, were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1968. In 1977, the Durants were presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Champions of human rights and social reform, the Durants continue to educate and entertain readers the world over. For more information on their work, visit www.willdurant.com.
Number of Pages: 128
Dimensions: 0.33 x 8.4 x 5.6 IN
Publication Date: February 16, 2010
