The Age of Reason Begins

A History of European Civilization in the Period of Shakespeare, Bacon, Montaigne, Rembrandt, Galileo, and Descartes: 1558 - 1648: The Story of Civilization, Book 7

By: Will Durant, Ariel Durant

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

This seventh volume of Will and Ariel Durant's renowned Story of Civilization chronicles the history of European civilization from 1558 to 1648.

The Age of Reason Begins brings together a fascinating network of stories in the discussion of the bumpy road toward the Enlightenment. This is the age of great monarchs and greater artists - on the one hand, Elizabeth I of England, Philip II of Spain, and Henry IV of France; on the other, Shakespeare, Cervantes, Montaigne, and Rembrandt. It also encompasses the heyday of Francis Bacon, Galileo, Giordano Bruno, and Descartes, the fathers of modern science and philosophy. But it is equally an age of extreme violence, a moment in which all Europe was embroiled in the horrible Thirty Years' War - in some respects, the real first world war. This chapter in cultural history is one that can't be missed.

©1961 Will and Ariel Durant (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

phenomenal

loved it, as I do with all other durant books in this series. that being said I really wish this book were longer,I feel like with the given time period the book could run another 10 hours with material, aside from that it's an amazing book by an amazing author. the Gibbon of the 20th century on my opinion. I wish durant went deeper into the military aspect of it all as well but these gripes are all so minor that it can not take away from the fact that this book and series are magnificent.

Very Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

Every sentence is worth reading. The author is not only a very good historian, he is a master at telling the story in a way that engages the reader and naturally leads from one part to another.

Amazing

Once again, Will and his wife Ariel have taken a whole swath of history and made sense of it, or at least ferreted out most of the noteworthy events and explained them for those of us not willing to read the thousands of original sources or books that cover this era (1558-1648) in finer detail. The subject matter they cover is nearly overwhelming, but that’s par for the course of each of the eleven volumes of this series. For me, the highlights were the forty pages on Queen Elizabeth I, the twenty pages devoted to Shakespeare, the seventy-plus pages on a then-dominant Spain, and thirty-six pages on Galileo featuring his tussles with the Catholic Church over his heretical findings. All of that was magnificent; the rest was merely wonderful. I’m a fan of this series: only four more volumes to go. This one I started in April (finished it in late September) so no promises as to when I’ll complete volume 8. <smile>

Things are getting more complicated!

Would you listen to The Age of Reason Begins again? Why?

There's always more to learn and understand. Going over this once you can't get it all. The age of reason builds on the past so there is more to grasp. Great info. I don't know how Will and Ariel were able to digest then share the many facets of the period. I am in awe of their research ability and comprehension to make so many connections.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Gardner never disappoints. I like his smooth clear presentations

Very enlightening and great context

I loved the context provided for the events and people for the period. Starkly different from our current state, but enlightening on the origin and reason for so many of our rights.

Beyond Classic

The entire series is a national treasure. I grew up sifting through the volumes as did my own children. Words cannot convey my delight in finding them in audiobook version. While all three of the narrators are quite gifted, my personal favorite remains Grover Gardner. I'm quite impatient for the rest of the series to be available.

unbelievable

what people are we? where did we come from? of what are we made? learn it here! an epic story

Religion and Reason in Europe

In the seventh volume of their majestic work - The Story of Civilization - the authors deal with England’s history from Elizabeth’s kingdom to the years before the French Revolution. From there they survey the main facts and the culture’s landscapes of the European States of the time. In an Europe dominated by religions wars, the book describes the politics and culture of the age. In the last part, the work focuses in science and philosophy, pointing to the emergency of reason. Good chapters about Shakespeare, Montaigne and Descartes are presented along the way. Will and Ariel Durant succeeded in combining historical description with the study of the most important characters of the age.

Epic, Well Worth It

There is a lot here. Well covered, well discussed, well framed. I learned a lot. Suspect most people will. There are definitely dry spots, but given the expanse that is to be understood. Well worth it. Impressive work.

Solid

It is a history textbook. Very factual without making you wish for an atlas and calender. One two three four.