The Lessons of History cover art

The Lessons of History

Preview

Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Lessons of History

Written by: Will, Ariel Durant
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.40

Buy Now for $26.40

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

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.

The authors devoted five decades to the study of world history and philosophy, culminating in the masterful eleven-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.

©2004 John Little, Monica Ariel Mihell, and William James Durant Easton (P)2004 Durant archival recordings 1957-1977 used with permission of John Little, Monica Ariel Mihell, and William James Durant Easton
Ancient World Ancient History Young Adult World History
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Lessons of History

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    132
  • 4 Stars
    29
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    90
  • 4 Stars
    31
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    7
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    105
  • 4 Stars
    20
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    5

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

history repeats itself

I enjoyed knowing that we will not change yet. but there is hope for a far future!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

still meaningful old school narrative

This is a great and concise retelling of the world, esp western world history. I didn't particularly enjoy the interviews and I wish they were in separate chapters so they could more easily be skipped. I am in my early 40s and this is interesting to me, although some quotes make me laugh. it makes me realize how much we've evolved our general thinking as a society, not always for the better. Most importantly, this book puts to light the patterns and cycles of human history.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

As Relevant Today as in the 1960s

The author examines several of the social, moral and political issues we have today through the lens of history. It went back and forth between the narrator reading the book and personal interviews with Will and his wife Ariel. I found that part to be annoying but the actual book itself is awesome.

Given that it was written in the 1960s, it is incredible how relevant it is to the issues we are facing in the 2010's. I enjoyed it so much I bought it in hard copy and will definitely be listening to his other books. He takes some very complicated material and simplifies it in a manner that is both interesting and easily comprehended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love it!

This book reminds of how much I once enjoyed my high school history class. I want to purchase the hard copy now so I can read it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Masterpiece!

What a great and insightful summary of history. Short, to the point. To read every year.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book!

A book full of hard-earned wisdom. I found it inspiring and humbling at the same time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting ideas deriving from the broadest point of view any author could take

Looking back as far as human stepped on the earth, the authors share their view about history patterns. This bird's eye view litterally take us away, giving birth to reflexions on the necessary objective conditions for human civilization such as how to restrain the source of almost all problems a civilization can be affliged of: human nature.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great history lesson

Compact – It’s interesting and thoughtful. A really great book covering a lot of great material in a small amount of time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Succinct summary of a wide berth of history.

Durant manages to paint a picture akin to Toffler in connecting ideas and narratives that permeate throughout history.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I'm glad I got the audio version VS. The book.

The content was rich. Some could see it as dry. Worth the credit for me.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!