The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time Audiobook By Will Durant cover art

The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time

By: Will Durant
Narrated by: John Little
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $10.59

Buy for $10.59

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Best-selling historian and philosopher Will Durant devoted his entire life to studying the most significant eras, individuals, and achievements of human history. Here is a summation of Durant's work, as he presents the best of world history, from "The One Hundred Best Books for an Education" to "The Ten Greatest Thinkers," "The Ten Greatest Poets," "The Ten Peaks of Human Progress," and "Twelve Vital Dates in Human History." Filled with Durant's renowned wit, knowledge, and unique ability to explain events in simple and exciting terms, it is a concise liberal arts education.©2003 John Little and the Estate of Will Durant; 2002 John Little, Monica Ariel Mihell, and William James Durant Easton (P)2003 The Audio Partners Publishing Corp. Consciousness & Thought Literary History & Criticism Philosophy World Thought-Provoking Inspiring World History
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"This compact work is a gem that elevates historical writing to the level of superb literature." (Booklist)
"[An] engaging, accessible book of essays...in prose peppered with biographical bon mots and excerpts of the world's loveliest poems. Lay folks especially will find this a delightful introduction to Durant's irrepressible style." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    659
  • 4 Stars
    286
  • 3 Stars
    190
  • 2 Stars
    72
  • 1 Stars
    54
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    543
  • 4 Stars
    235
  • 3 Stars
    128
  • 2 Stars
    41
  • 1 Stars
    27
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    549
  • 4 Stars
    202
  • 3 Stars
    122
  • 2 Stars
    46
  • 1 Stars
    43

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A powerful mind pondering mental giants

This reading flows along comfortably while delighting me with Durante’s edifying prose. I enjoyed the author’s candid weighing of his choices.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars

ogga

a wee bit gaudy in tone. but overall needed and inspiring. have a good day

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An incredible reminder of what we should learn in school

I wish I knew more of every topic mentioned here. Schools should use this book as an outline of what they expect students to learn in elementary school middle school and high school.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good summary book read way too fast

The biok, like all of Durant, is enlightening and hia selection of words is wonderul. It is like a Cliffs Notes of people, events and ideas. A good companion to other of his books. Unfortunately, the reader reas as if he were in a race to get it over with. I had to slow the rate of speed to absorb the beauty of Durants words that were speeding by. I recommend others do the same.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not durant’s best

It has Durant’s ingrained eloquence and erudition. It is a topic beyond any serious book’s capacity.

Still worth the effort to listen. Thanks Amazon audible to make it available

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Kinda like Wagner " not as bad as it sounds"

I bought this dispite the negative reviews. I am a total Durant fan. Read the History of the World, Yup that one.The first bit is great and engrossing, 100 greatest books does not make a great read. This might be better in hardcover. But have been through it twice and will plunge in again. I prefer books good for read after read, this qualifies , but you better like Durant.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

INDIGESTIBLE

Too much to digest at the reader's pace. Some interesting ideas, but not worth the time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The jewel of the crown.

Will Durant
This book is the appetizer before a big banquet or the mint you have before you go to bed.a
Every book that Duran wrote is a mater piece but this is book you must read at least two times to really enjoy it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!

A wonderful reader and content. I’m excited I finally got to read/listen to this book and begin my journey with Durant.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Most excellent

An excellent capture of history that is informative and entertaining. To be considered learned, one ought to have listened to this book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!