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The Lessons of History

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'The Lessons of History' by Will and Ariel Durant is a thought-provoking exploration of various aspects of history, including biology, race, character, morals, religion, economics, socialism, government, war, and growth and decay. The authors distill insights gained from years of study into a collection of short essays that provide a broad overview of historical events and their implications for the present day. The writing style is concise, insightful, and at times almost poetic, offering readers a unique perspective on the forces that have shaped human civilization.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by concise, well-crafted prose, and at times, poetic language.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot consists of a collection of essays that analyze historical events through different themes and topics.

Setting:

The setting is historical and broad, encompassing numerous times and places.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, allowing readers to quickly grasp many concepts in a short amount of time.
As his studies come to a close the historian faces the challenge: Of what use have your studies been? Have you found in your work only the amusement of recounting the rise and fall of nations and idea...

Notes:

The book is a collection of short essays examining history through various lenses, including governance, morality, and economics.
The authors, Will and Ariel Durant, previously wrote an eleven-volume work titled The Story of Civilization.
The book suggests that wealth inequality is a natural outcome of social and economic differentiation.
The Durants argue that the conditions that allowed American democracy to flourish are no longer present.
They believe that the future could see a synthesis of capitalism and socialism, rather than one completely overtaking the other.
The book discusses the forces shaping history, such as geography, biology, human behavior, and economic systems.
War is presented as a constant throughout history; only 268 out of the last 3411 years have seen no war.
They assert that the fear of capitalism has pushed socialism to demand more freedoms, while socialism's threat has made capitalism pursue greater equality.
The authors believe science itself is neutral, capable of both destruction and healing equally.
Each essay is intended to prompt reflection and offers a broad view of historical events, making it accessible for ordinary readers.

From The Publisher:

A concise survey of the culture and civilization of mankind, The Lessons of History is the result of a lifetime of research from Pulitzer Prize-winning historians Will and Ariel Durant.

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. Juxtaposing the great lives, ideas, and accomplishments with cycles of war and conquest, the Durants reveal the towering themes of history and give meaning to our own.

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About the Author:

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.

 
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