The Story of Civilization, Volume 8: The Age of Louis XIV pdf

William James Durant was a prolific American writer, historian, and philosopher. He is best known for the 11-volume The Story of Civilization, written in collaboration with his wife Ariel and published between 1935 and 1975. He was earlier noted for his book, The Story of Philosophy, written in 1926, which was considered "a groundbreaking work that helped to popularize philosophy." They were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for literature in 1967 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977.

The Story of Civilization, Volume 8: The Age of Louis XIV pdf by Will Durant

subtitle: A History of European Civilization in the Period of Pascal, Moliere, Cromwell, Milton, Peter the Great, Newton & Spinoza 1648-1715 In the 8th volume of their Story of Civilization, the Durants explore the apex of European civilization to that time, the years 1648-1715. It's the era of the "Sun King," Louis XIV, one of the most powerful rulers in Western history. It's also the pinnacle of Dutch culture, the heyday of Vermeer & William of Orange, later King of England. All this forms the backdrop for the Durants' real focus: the intellectual character of the age. Encompassing Newton & Leibniz, among others, THE AGE OF LOUIS XIV marks a momentous transition: the passage from superstition & intolerance to science & philosophy. This is the period on which the foundation for modernity rests.