The Life of Greece: A History of Greek Civilization from the Beginnings, and of Civilization in the Near East from the Death of Alexander, to the Roman Conquest (Story of Civilization)

What I liked about this book is the factual events that did take place in Greece without any opinion but researched facts that brings life to what side take place and what the people had gone through to bring abrupt a golden age despite otherwise adversity externally and internally but pulled it off and the parallel to what is currently happening on this planet and current civilization to what has happened in Greece those thousands of years ago but is going on right now in our own front yard and this is not a pun on words but a reality adjustment to current times. The reading is very easy to read! you don't have to be a road scholar or college graduate to read this book.

I've always been fascinated by ancient Greece, and have enjoyed reading about it throughout the years. But they were all just bits and pieces of a much larger and complex story. Will and Ariel Durant's second volume of The Story of Civilization series picks up where it left right off. The book itself is highly readable, and it takes a real genius to take this history and summarize it in such a way that it's easy to read. It's not a beach book, but it's almost like having a brilliant professor tell you stories about interesting figures from our past without the burden of a test for a grade. In a way, it's like a historical version of a David Attenborough series. There's no doubt that reading a 700 page book and the 10,000 page series is a tough endeavor to undergo, but once you get started, you're sucked in and enjoy the stories of historical figures and the average person. You learn about the literature, the architecture, and the battles. And you learned how Greece died a slow, self-inflicted death, and makes you wonder if all societies, including ours, follow the same pattern. At $13 a book, this series is much more valuable than any other out there for the Kindle. I just wish I had discovered The Story of Civilization years ago, and that I could remember more of what I have read. And most of all, I wish I could have met the Durants to thank them for this gift to historians and history lovers.

What can explain the extraordinary cultural achievements of ancient Greece? Durant doesn't attempt an explanation, but he gives the Greek achievement its rightful due. Yet a major theme in this book is that every Greece has a Macedon: that when a society becomes culturally advanced, it also becomes weak, decadent, and ripe for barbarian conquest. In the first book in this series Durant observed that civilization must keep its powder dry; this could serve as the theme of this work as well. But while Greece itself succumbed first to Macedon and then to Rome, the Greek contribution to civilization has lasted to this day, and Greek culture to our eyes appears more modern than anything that came after it until the Renaissance. The fate of Athens provides a cautionary lesson that democracy is not infallible and cannot alone be the salvation of a nation. The book ends, as apparently all books on ancient Greece end, with a chapter called "The Coming of Rome." The end of a great age.

The "Life of Greece," my favorite in the series, was published over 65 years ago. Like a fool I let my hardback book go over 50 years ago, never dreaming of the revising and even erasing of history that has taken place since then. Each of these eleven Durant books usually cost in the hundreds of dollars. This one not only arrived early but in hardback form, including the dust jacket, and for ten dollars. The condition of the book and jacket is simply fabulous. I can scarcely believe this. It's perfect.

I have finally finished this series, from China through Napoleon. It took me several years to get through the eleven volumes. Will Durant was a terrific author. His clever phrases and superior vocabulary were delightful. My wife tired of my late-night brief readings to her. These books were published over several decades. The earliest ones, including this, were a little more difficult to read. This volume, on ancient Greece, was the toughest because my mind was often confused by all the Greek names of people and places. But it was a good grounding in the evolution of modern civilization, democracies and autocracies. I have a better understanding of Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, who are much revered with little comprehension. The early Greeks moved easily between myth and reality but I found it awkward at best. I encourage the reader to tackle this series and recommend starting with a period that is of interest. The enlightenment was the best for me. I also recommend that readers use their computers to bring up images of the art Durant describes. These books were published before such images were so readily available and having them close greatly adds to understanding and enjoyment. I read several volumes with books only but added digital companions later to make it easier to read while traveling.

Having worn out some of my previous copies, I am replacing them a few at a time. I have read Will Durant's series of books since I was a girl. With two degrees in history, these have always been my "go-to" sources for a quick review of facts ... and his insight on the impact people, events, and geography had on history is ever valuable. And I admit to liberally stealing from the bibliography! Will and his wife, Ariel, were indeed gifted historians and writers. I do not think their like will come again. I would recommend this series to anyone with a big curious. I would have liked to use these books in a seminar setting; just never had the opportunity. Maybe someone has done it (or will do it) some day.

Will Durant is superb, as always. Cultural perspective, the grand march of history, the development of government and politics, the motivating force of religion and reason, and the origins of mathematics and science are all presented here in an easy and entertaining style. His love of philosophy exudes from every chapter. Every educated American should read this book to gain understanding for our own modern issues.

Excellent book - I can't write a ton right now but I lost myself in a paperbound time machine! I'm half way through it but so far I am enjoying stepping in the sandals of the ancient Greeks and feeling like I've lost myself to a history away from the disgusting​ one we find ourselves in now.

All Durant's books are well written and informative, without bias.

Essential Reading

Obra de referência sobre a vida, história, costumes e conhecimento na Grécia Antiga. Certamente um dos melhores livros da saga literária de Will Durant. Um prazer e uma diversão associados a um salto de conhecimento e cultura geral.

This printing is completely defective. The book skips hundreds of pages and starts on page 433. It's the wrong size and the spine doesn't fit.

Very happy. Arrived on time.