Our Oriental Heritage

The Story of Civilization, Volume 1

By: Will Durant

Narrated by: Robin Field

The first volume of Will Durant's Pulitzer Prize-winning series, Our Oriental Heritage: The Story of Civilization, Volume I chronicles the early history of Egypt, the Middle East, and Asia. In this masterful work, readers will encounter:

• Sumeria, birthplace of the first cities and written laws
• the Egyptians, who perfected monumental architecture, medicine, and mummification more than 3,500 years ago
• the Babylonians, who developed astronomy and physics, and planted the seeds of Western mythology
• the Judeans, who preserved their culture forever in the immortal books of the Old Testament
• the Persians, who ruled the largest empire in recorded history before Rome
• Indian philosophy, Chinese philosophers, and Japanese Samurais

©2013 Will Durant (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Amazing

Best book I have ever read. It takes some time to get finished but worth every second. I'm can't wait to read the next volume.

Where it all began

I have carried 40+ years of skepticism about this series, having felt there was no way an author (or two) could provide a credible look at such an expanse of time. Based on this first volume I am convinced I was wrong. My only wish is that I had started Durant's volumes decades earlier. Incredibly insightful!

History is the best drama

This epic tale covers the history of the east from its mythic origins to modern day, at least for those nations which have a modern history.
By modern I mean the 1930s, when it was written. It’s chapters on China and Japan seem prescient in hindsight.
One thing the modern reader must take into account, however, is the language used. Terms like “Cooley” and “Muhammadan“ Are used to freely throughout the book as common nouns, with no slight or insult intended.
If you want to know what modern historians (and History fans) read that whetted their appetites for their subjects, read Will Durrant.
One word of warning: the narrator is painfully slow! However his voice sounds completely normal if you increase playback speed to1.25.

Orient Vs Occident

Exceptional coverage of Oriental Civilizations and a must read for Europeans and the Americans in order to learn the truth of their own growth. A must read for the Oriental people least they loose the treasures of their past. Asia and far east need to feel proud of thier origin.

exceptional

great information based not only on historical information but speculative philosophical insight. will durant is my most respected historian and philosopher.