The Age of Louis XIV

The Story of Civilization, Book 8

By: Will Durant, Ariel Durant

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

The Age of Louis XIV is the biography of a period (1648 - 1715) that Spengler considered the apex of modern European civilization. "Some centuries hence," Frederick the Great correctly predicted to Voltaire, "they will translate the good authors of the age of Pericles and Augustus." Those authors are lovingly treated here: Pascal, Racine, and Boileau, Madame de Sévigné, Madame de la Fayette, and above all the philosopher-dramatist Molière, who so memorably exposed the vices and hypocrisies of the age.

Central to the audiobook is the "Sun King" himself, Louis XIV. Louis XIV ruled France for over seventy years, longer than almost any European ruler in history. He is the subject of a character study that runs through seven chapters, revealing the flesh and blood beneath the purple and the crown. He is seen at his worst in his struggle with Jansenists and Huguenots, at his best in his patronage of literature and art, and at his most human in his love affairs with Henrietta Anne of Orléans, Louise de La Vallière, Madame de Montespan, and Madame de Maintenon.

From France the narrative passes to the Netherlands, and after pausing to examine the domestic idylls of Vermeer, shows the Dutch opening their dikes to save their land from Louis XIV and sending William of Orange to become king of England and a leader of the European alliance against Louis' hegemony.

In England, we contemplate the heyday of virtue under the Puritans and study the strange character of Cromwell. We see Milton's passionate career as part of the vain effort to prevent the Stuart Restoration. We find Charles II, the "Merry Monarch", with more manners than morals, attend boisterous Restoration plays; we skim the diaries of Evelyn and Pepys; and we follow Jonathan Swift from genius to insanity.

Crossing the North Sea, we trace the tragic heroism of Charles XII of Sweden and the attempt of Peter the Great to lead Russia from barbarism to civilization.

©1963 Will and Ariel Durant (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Most Inclusive History of the Period Yet

The Story of Civilization is a fascinating read. This book, in particular, shed extensive light on a period not necessarily clear to non-Europeans. And none of the histories I've read / listened to by far have had the courage the Durants have to create a digestible but inclusive series of history.

The Day-long duration is kind of intimidating and unappetizing, but when you started listening, it sinks in very fast and you soon realize you've gone through quite a number of hours just by listening to the book. However, the length also means quite a number of the stories told would inevitably be forgotten during the listen, so it's worth repeating the book several times.

Great continuation to the series

This is by far my least favorite of the series thus far, not due to the quality of the writing but due to the era itself. I was expecting so much more but really the section on Louie the 14th was quite minimal for this installment to be named for him. A better title would have been, "The age of reason, part 2", for that part of the work is more than five stars, just as the proceeding installments were. I definitely recommend this to anybody interested in wanting to know more about the era or interested in this wonderful series.

Great history books!

Loved every minute. Narrator is great. The Durante are masters of the English language. Someday I'll have these in my physical library to re-read.

Exceptional broad summary

Exceptional summary of the evolution of European civilization during the reign of Louis XIV. It covers the political situation ( of kings, parlaments, wars), art (painting, theater, literature, some music), science and mathematics, religion and philosophy, culture, war, technology. I plan to read the entire series of the Story of Civilization.

Again, incredible

Another immaculate work of story telling of the history of all. The reading is also excellent, as always