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The Story of Civilization

Will Durant
Mentions11
Episodes11
Podcasts2

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The Story of Civilization by Will Durant gets recommended on Hardcore History and Founders, with transcript quotes, timestamps, and episode context.

The Story of Civilization by Will Durant appears 11 times across 11 podcast episodes on 2 shows, with transcript quotes and timestamps.

I think you get the same thing in a lot of other genres, history included.

Best episode to start with
Show 33 Blitz Old School Toughness on Hardcore History
Why people keep bringing this up

The book 'The Story of Civilization' by Will and Ariel Durant is frequently referenced across various podcast episodes, particularly in 'Hardcore History' and 'Founders'. The Durants' comprehensive exploration of historical themes resonates with discussions on the evolution of societies, as seen in episodes like 'Mania for Subjugation III', where their writing style and insights on the Persian Empire's decline are highlighted. Additionally, the series is noted for its relevance in biographies of entrepreneurs, emphasizing its lasting impact on understanding historical narratives.

In 'Hardcore History', multiple episodes delve into specific historical events and moral lessons drawn from Durant's work. For instance, the justification of gladiatorial games and the moral degeneration of societies are discussed, showcasing how Durant's perspectives provide a rich context for contemporary issues. His ability to weave storytelling with historical analysis makes 'The Story of Civilization' a recurring reference point, appealing to both history enthusiasts and those seeking lessons from the past.

Recommendation signals

The host discusses the significance of 'The Story of Civilization' as a foundational text that informs biographies of influential figures. They emphasize the Durants' extensive research and how it encapsulates human history in a concise manner, making it essential reading for understanding the context of individual lives.

The host briefly mentions Will Durant's work to provide historical context regarding the Punic Wars. This reference serves to illustrate the complexities of Carthaginian practices during that era.

The host mentions 'The Story of Civilization' by Will Durant to highlight the importance of historians who provide insightful commentary on historical events. Durant is presented as a prime example of a historian whose talent and perspective elevate his work above that of others in the field.

Best for
Readers interested in history and biographiesHistory enthusiasts and studentsIndividuals interested in history and its analysisReaders interested in historical reactions and civilization studies.
Where it keeps coming up

Recent show rotation: Hardcore History and Founders.

Fastest path back to the source: the strongest indexed mention lands at 29:38 in the episode where we captured it.

Quick answers

Quick FAQ

Answers to common book, episode, podcast, and guest questions.

Which episode recommended The Story of Civilization?

Show 33 Blitz Old School Toughness on Hardcore History is one of the clearest indexed episodes that recommended The Story of Civilization by Will Durant. Other indexed episodes include #342 The Lessons of History (Will & Ariel Durant) on Founders and Show 73 - Mania for Subjugation III on Hardcore History. The first indexed transcript timestamp lands at 29:38.

Which podcast mentioned The Story of Civilization?

Hardcore History and Founders are the main indexed podcasts currently tied to The Story of Civilization by Will Durant.

Who recommended The Story of Civilization on podcasts?

PodcastMentions ties The Story of Civilization by Will Durant to Hardcore History and Founders, but the underlying mentions do not yet expose stable guest names for every episode.

Why do podcast guests bring up The Story of Civilization?

The host discusses the significance of 'The Story of Civilization' as a foundational text that informs biographies of influential figures. They emphasize the Durants' extensive research and how it encapsulates human history in a concise manner, making it essential reading for understanding the context of individual lives. It most often appears in conversations about history of human beings, Carthaginian practices, and historical commentary and analysis.

Source material

Mentions across episodes

Every mention card links back to the episode page and exact transcript anchor.

There's a lot of crackpot histories out there, but there's also people like Will Durant who are wonderful and who obviously have talents above and beyond your average historian.

Sentiment: Highly Recommended
For: Individuals interested in history and its analysis
Key quote: I think you get the same thing in a lot of other genres, history included.
The host mentions 'The Story of Civilization' by Will Durant to highlight the importance of historians who provide insightful commentary on historical events. Durant is presented as a prime example of a historian whose talent and perspective elevate his work above that of others in the field.

Will and Ariel Durant wrote this 11-volume set called The Story of Civilization, which will pop up over and over again in biographies of entrepreneurs.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Readers interested in history and biographies
Key quote: Generations of men establish a growing mastery over the earth, but they are destined to become fossils in its soil.
The host discusses the significance of 'The Story of Civilization' as a foundational text that informs biographies of influential figures. They emphasize the Durants' extensive research and how it encapsulates human history in a concise manner, making it essential reading for understanding the context of individual lives.

The excerpt discusses Will Durant's multi-part series 'The Story of Civilization', particularly how his writing style evolved over the decades and his views on the decline of the Persian Empire.

Sentiment: Critical Analysis
For: History enthusiasts and students of literature
Key quote: The excerpt discusses Will Durant's multi-part series 'The Story of Civilization', particularly how his writing style evolved over the decades.
The host examines how Will Durant's writing style changed throughout his career, reflecting on his insights into historical events. This analysis provides a deeper understanding of Durant's perspective on the decline of the Persian Empire.

Historian Will Durant tries to tie the downfall of the meads to their moral degeneration and the fact that they were sort of Nouveau-Riche, he writes about their rapid degeneration compared to their rise.

Sentiment: Critical Analysis
For: Historians and students of sociology
Key quote: Historian Will Durant tries to tie the downfall of the meads to their moral degeneration and the fact that they were sort of Nouveau-Riche.
The host references Will Durant's 'The Story of Civilization' to illustrate how moral decline can lead to societal downfall. Durant's insights on the Nouveau-Riche serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of rapid wealth accumulation without moral grounding.

Will Durant provides a succinct description of how Romans justified gladiatorial games, stating that victims were condemned for serious crimes and their suffering acted as a deterrent.

Sentiment: Critical Analysis
For: Historians and students of ancient Rome
Key quote: Will Durant provides a succinct description of how Romans justified gladiatorial games, stating that victims were condemned for serious crimes and their suffering acted as a deterrent.
The host references 'The Story of Civilization' to highlight Durant's insights on the moral reasoning behind gladiatorial games in ancient Rome. This analysis serves to provoke thought about how societies rationalize violence and punishment.

Historian Will Durant points out the church's resentment towards the Roman idea that religion was subordinate to the state, viewing emperor worship as polytheism and idolatry.

Sentiment: Critical Analysis
For: Students of history and theology
Key quote: Historian Will Durant points out the church's resentment towards the Roman idea that religion was subordinate to the state, viewing emperor worship as polytheism and idolatry.
The host references Will Durant's work to highlight the tension between religious authority and state power. This book provides a historical perspective on how such conflicts have shaped civilization.

Will Durant, who of course, love, but writing in 1935 when there was a different view of these things, kept the same sort of an idea going in an extremely satisfying from a storyteller and old-time historian standpoint.

Sentiment: Passing Reference
For: Readers interested in historical narratives
Key quote: Will Durant, who of course, love, but writing in 1935 when there was a different view of these things, kept the same sort of an idea going in an extremely satisfying from a storyteller and old-time historian standpoint.
The host mentions 'The Story of Civilization' to highlight Will Durant's approach to history as a storyteller. This reference serves to illustrate how historical perspectives have evolved since the book's publication in 1935.

Will Durant continues about the corruption in the court system, discussing how oaths had lost value and perjury was common.

Sentiment: Critical Analysis
For: Individuals interested in legal history and ethics
Key quote: Will Durant continues about the corruption in the court system, discussing how oaths had lost value and perjury was common.
The host references 'The Story of Civilization' to highlight the historical context of corruption within legal systems. Durant's insights serve as a foundation for understanding the erosion of integrity in oaths and the prevalence of perjury.

Here's Will Durant's version of the events. Quote, when Jagertha, grandson of Massinissa, tortured his brother to death and tried to deprive his cousins of their share in the kingdom...

Sentiment: Passing Reference
For: listeners interested in historical narratives
Key quote: Here's Will Durant's version of the events.
The host briefly references Will Durant's work to illustrate a specific historical event involving Jagertha and Massinissa. This mention serves to provide context for the discussion on the complexities of historical narratives.

Will Durant provides an interesting post script concerning how the people that Caius Grakis had appealed to reacted.

Sentiment: Passing Reference
For: Readers interested in historical reactions and civilization studies.
Key quote: Will Durant provides an interesting post script concerning how the people that Caius Grakis had appealed to reacted.
The host briefly mentions Will Durant's insights in 'The Story of Civilization' regarding the reactions of people to Caius Grakis' appeals. This reference serves to highlight the historical context of public response in civilization.

Will Durant is referenced in relation to the Carthaginian practices and the historical context of the Punic Wars.

Sentiment: Passing Reference
For: History enthusiasts and students
Key quote: Will Durant is referenced in relation to the Carthaginian practices and the historical context of the Punic Wars.
The host briefly mentions Will Durant's work to provide historical context regarding the Punic Wars. This reference serves to illustrate the complexities of Carthaginian practices during that era.