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About Durant Masterworks: The Essential History and Philosophy Collection

Spanning eighty captivating hours, Durant Masterworks curates four of Will Durant’s most celebrated works into a single, thematically rich portrait of Western thought from its origins to the modern age. This anthology traces the evolution of Western thought from ancient philosophy through medieval faith, early modern conflict, and the rise of England as a global power. Durant’s storytelling is vivid, engaging, and deeply human, bringing history’s greatest ideas and personalities to life with unmatched clarity. It features: The Story of Philosophy (unabridged) The Age of Faith: The Climax of Christianity, 1095–1300 The Age of Reason Begins: The Faiths Fight for Power, 1556–1648 , and The English Ecstasy: England’s Rise from 1558–1649 The journey begins with The Story of Philosophy, Durant’s beloved classic that has introduced millions to the great thinkers of the Western tradition. From Plato and Aristotle to Bacon, Spinoza, Voltaire, and Nietzsche, Durant reveals not only their ideas, but the human stories behind them, making complex thought accessible, lively, and unforgettable. The collection then moves into the High Middle Ages with The Climax of Christianity, a dramatic portrait of the Crusades, the rise of the Catholic Church, and the cultural rebirth that produced figures such as Thomas à Becket, Richard the Lionheart, and Dante. Durant blends sweeping events with everyday life, showing how medieval Europe rebuilt itself and shaped the world we know today. In The Faiths Fight for Power, Durant explores the turbulent era of religious warfare that transformed Europe. From the French Wars of Religion to the Thirty Years’ War, he reveals how centuries of conflict gave rise to skepticism, scientific inquiry, and the emergence of individual rights. Finally, The English Ecstasy traces England’s ascent during the age of Elizabeth I, James I, Shakespeare, Bacon, and Cromwell. Durant captures the drama, brilliance, and upheaval of a nation on the brink of global influence. The collection also features multiple forewords by author and philosopher Richard Smoley, offering fresh context and illuminating commentary that enrich each volume. Rich, accessible, and endlessly engaging, Durant Masterworks is the definitive audio collection for listeners who love big ideas, sweeping history, and masterful storytelling.