The Lessons of History

The Lessons of History, by Will and Ariel Durant

The Lessons of History is a 1968 book by historians Will Durant and Ariel Durant.

Lessons

In The Lessons of History the authors provided a summary of periods and trends in history they had noted upon completion of their momentous eleven-volume The Story of Civilization. Will Durant stated that he and Ariel "made note of events and comments that might illuminate present affairs, future probabilities, the nature of man, and the conduct of states."^[1]

Thus, the book presents an overview of the themes and lessons observed from 5,000 years of world history, examined from 12 perspectives: geography, biology, race, character, morals, religion, economics, socialism, government, war, growth and decay, and progress.

Chapters

1. Hesitations
2. History and the Earth
3. Biology and History
4. Race and History
5. Character and History
6. Morals and History

1. Religion and History
2. Economics and History
3. Socialism and History
4. Government and History
5. History and War
6. Growth and Decay
7. Is Progress Real?

Notes

1. Will and Ariel Durant, The Lessons of History, prelude.

References

• Will and Ariel Durant, The Lessons of History, 1st ed., New York, Simon & Schuster, 1968.