Will Durant: Who here gives a crap about History????

[JanMichael]

OK, he didn't say that but I simply can't settle on a title for this thread, I don't want it to sink...

Any other fans of Will & Ariel Durant here in the Lounge?

Will Durant was a prolific American Historian/Philosopher.

I've been reading his books for ages it seems and this last weekend picked up a copy of "The Lessons of History" and as expected it rocks. I should include that his wife Ariel co-authored the work and was apparently a talented writer/historian in her own right. They had a long history together and were a remarkable couple. Sure he married her young but hey, things were different back then!

"The Story of Philosophy" is probably my favorite Durant book, it's an amazinly well written walk though philosophy.

Will was also the author of The Declaration of Interdependence which was entered into the Congressional Record in 1949.


Anyway I just had to share my fascination with this author, excuse me, these authors.

[grannylib]

1. Yeppers - just bought "Story of Philosophy" at a garage sale!

have not started it yet; still working on "Islam: a Short History" and "Holy War: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden"

[JanMichael]

2. Durant had such a smooth writing style, you'll love it.

:-)

[XanaDUer]

3. Here.

Fabulous. THe volume on Rousseau is my favorite

[henslee]

4. They just named an L.A. library after them. My best bud is a fanantic, too

Never read Durant(s). Read about them. Think I will start.

[JanMichael]

5. The Durant's really did have a wonderful writing style.

Also many of his essays sound like they were written for 2004...

[henslee]

7. I feel that way about reading George Orwell Essays. Right now I'm reading

Stanley Crouch... "Notes from a Hanging Judge. It's essays too. Good analysis of Jesse, MLK, Gore Dukakis..... how civil rights gave way to black militancy. Well written. Really stays with you. It's funny. like myself so much better when I read alot.

[TroubleMan]

6. Try "The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy"

by William Strauss and Neil Howe

They make a very good case, and back it up categorically and exhaustively.

I don't know enough about history (even though I'd say I know more than 80%-90% of the US population) to say if they are right or wrong....but it's a very interesting hypothesis.

If you're a history fan, you'll enjoy reading it or trying to refute it.

_____

Of course if you haven't read "A People's History of the United States : 1492-Present" by Howard Zinn, then that's a MUST READ.

I'd recommend it over any other.

[JanMichael]

9. People's History is great but, I hate to admit it, I prefer Durant's....

...writing to Zinn.

Still love Zinn though, he shouldn't worry that he got beat out (IMHO) by a dead guy.

I'll keep an eye open for "The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy", thanks!

[henslee]

8. This is a perfect thread to bookmark... Done.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

10. Me! Me!