Story of Civilization: Our Oriental Heritage (Our Oriental Heritage)

Rating:
Summary: "A Superb Overview of our Oriental Roots"
Review: Will Durant's "Our Oriental Heritage" is the first of eleven volumes, which make for his superb macro-history the Story of Civilization. He begins with an analysis of the origins of civilization, and then moves on with a survey of Near Eastern civilizations (Sumeria, Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria, Judea, and Persia). Durant focuses on all the Mesopotamian civilizations from their rise and fall, and deals with Egypt from the earliest kings to the death of Alexander. Then he moves into the Far East, where he handles Indian, Chinese, and Japanese civilization to the contemporary world of Will Durant. This excellent overview of Oriental culture will broaden any Occidental mans' perspective on just how his culture and civilization arose. It will allow him to question many western ideals and values and compel him to further understand these remarkable civilizations to which we are so highly indebted. Durant's work will, in a sense, place the eastern mind in the western man while reading through these pages, even if it is only for a moment. This work sets the tone for the rest, so get to reading and enjoy the ride from here to the Age of Napoleon.

Rating:
Summary: "A Superb Overview of our Oriental Roots"
Review: Will Durant's "Our Oriental Heritage" is the first of eleven volumes, which make for his superb macro-history the Story of Civilization. He begins with an analysis of the origins of civilization, and then moves on with a survey of Near Eastern civilizations (Sumeria, Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria, Judea, and Persia). Durant focuses on all the Mesopotamian civilizations from their rise and fall, and deals with Egypt from the earliest kings to the death of Alexander. Then he moves into the Far East, where he handles Indian, Chinese, and Japanese civilization to the contemporary world of Will Durant. This excellent overview of Oriental culture will broaden any Occidental mans' perspective on just how his culture and civilization arose. It will allow him to question many western ideals and values and compel him to further understand these remarkable civilizations to which we are so highly indebted. Durant's work will, in a sense, place the eastern mind in the western man while reading through these pages, even if it is only for a moment. This work sets the tone for the rest, so get to reading and enjoy the ride from here to the Age of Napoleon.