The Lessons of History
by Will Durant, Ariel Durant, Ni yu ping, Zhang kang · first published 1968
67% recommend33% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Short, roughly 100-page distillation of a lifetime of historical research into insights on human nature, society, and the cycles of civilization; suits readers wanting thought-provoking big-picture history.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Written by the authors of the 10 volume The Story of Civilization, this short (fewer than 120 pages) work notes "events and comments that might illuminate present affairs, future probabilities, the nature of man, and the conduct of states." Its 13 chapters discuss historiography (what is history), history and the earth, history and biology, race, character, morals, religion, economics, socialism, government, war, growth and decay. The final chapter asks, "Is progress real?"
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…Human Action Skinner Walden Two Chambers Witness Kuhn The Structure of Scientific Revolutions Guevara Guerrilla Warfare Cleaver Soul on Ice Lacey The Kingdom, Arabia & the House of Saud Durant The Lessons of History Hackworth Lessons Learned, Vietnam Primer Quigley Tragedy & Hope: A History of the World in Our Time EDIT: Just remembered two more Hobbes Leviathan Locke Two Treatises of Government
on “PG's Rarely Asked Questions” ↗…theory first: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Haidt#Moral_Foundatio... http://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_on_the_moral_mind Then perhaps a read-through or listen to Will and Ariel Durant’s Lessons of History (keeping an ear out in particular for the discussion of order vs. freedom, and the integral roles they play in society. American conservatives are pro-order socially and pro-freedom economically; American…
on “Why Are the Highly Educated So Liberal?” ↗…the Boat Very inspiring story about the men's 1936 olympic gold metal rowing team 9. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight Very inspiring story by the creator of Nike. One of the best memoirs I've ever read. 10. Lessons of History by Will Durant Short and extremely thought provoking. Stylistically tough to get into but once you do it is quite good. 11. Ghengis Khan and the Making of the Modern World The first half of this is better…
on “Audible and audiobooks, the fastest growing part of publishing” ↗What would you make of “The Lessons of History” by Will Durant? To me, all models are wrong but some, like his, are useful.
on “Are There Laws of History?” ↗Will and Ariel Durant's Lessons of History. I particularly recommend the audio recording, which includes additional interviews and asides from the Durants. Short (~115 pages), but highly informative. http://www.worldcat.org/title/lessons-of-history-by-will-and...…
on “Ask HN: Which are the best books on history from ancient times to present?” ↗Most people have the basics covered. Here is one I haven't seen and is worth a huge amount -- not business, but it will definitely help you in life. Will and Ariel Durant: The Lessons of History A great synthesis by two lifelong historians on what can be learned from a study of history. Covers human nature, society, culture/morals and many other important topics and takes as objective a view…
on “Ask YC: Road trip. Which audio books would you recommend?” ↗Will and Ariel Durant - The Lessons of History is a good short read. Probably flawed as well, but gives you food for thought.
on “History is Written by the Losers” ↗Food Rules by Michael Pollan - for understanding food and nutrition Sapiens - for understanding what it means to be human The Lessons of History by Will and Ariel Durant - for understanding groups of humans (civilization) The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor by Howard Marks - for understanding investing Seeking…
on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗…than I have in the past few years. A few I especially enjoyed: - The Effectivd Executive - How to Win Friends and Influence People - Never Split the Difference - Code Simplicity - Atomic Habits - The Lessons of History - Superhuman by Habit - The Coaching Habit - On the Shortness of Life - Deep Survival - Desiring the Kingdom - Masters of Doom You can check out the full list at my Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/50310109-paul-cook?ord...…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?” ↗The Lessons of History written in 1968 by historians Will Durant and Ariel Durant. They distill a lifetime of research into a small 100 page book. The result is a survey of human history, full of dazzling insights into the…
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗if people are interested in lessons of history i would suggest the book “lessons of History” by will and ariel durant. two historians who—after a lifetime of studying history—wrote a book trying to synthesize any lessons from their studies. small…
on “Lessons from History” ↗Lessons of History Letters to a Young Poet Letters from a Self Made Merchant to His Son Sections of Meditations Sections of Seneca Bed of Procrustes
on “Ask HN: Book under 100 pages that changed your life the most?” ↗Books that I read (and re-read) in 2022 that I'd recommend to folks on HN. Ordered from most enjoyable / insightful to least. - Edward O. Wilson - Biophilia - Will Durant - The Lessons Of History - Freeman J. Dyson - A Many-Colored Glass - Venkatesh Rao - The Gervais Principle - Ray Bradbury - The Martian Chronicles - Colin Wilson - The Outsider - Stanislaw Lem - Cyberiad - Chaos Monkeys…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2022 and recommend for 2023” ↗…to finally reverse direction only in response to violent revolt. This cycle has repeated over and over, essentially since the dawn of civilization. This was among the most important insights of 'The Lessons of History' by Will and Ariel Durant. And it's baked on two very simple insights about human nature: (1) those in power rarely give it up willingly (they often do the opposite) and (2) fear, on average, is and always…
on “AI Will Be Met with Violence, and Nothing Good Will Come of It” ↗Lessons of History by Will and Ariel Durant. If you know you know.
on “Ask HN: What nonfiction books do you keep rereading?” ↗