The Age of Reason Begins Audiobook by Ariel Durant, Will Durant – The Story of Civilization, Book 7

Summary

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey through the pages of this captivating audiobook. Whether you’re an avid reader or a newcomer to the world of audiobooks, this unique listening experience is sure to leave a lasting impression. With a perfect blend of engaging storytelling and skilled narration, this audiobook transports you into a realm where the boundaries between reality and fantasy seamlessly blur.

Audiobook Info

• Author: Ariel Durant, Will Durant
• Narrator: Grover Gardner
• Duration: 12 hours and 45 minutes
• Publisher: Blackstone Audio
• Release Date: January 1, 1999

Review

From the very first moments of Grover Gardner’s narration in “The Age of Reason Begins,” I found myself captivated – not just by the unfolding drama of Western civilization but by Gardner’s remarkable ability to animate history itself. His delivery is both eloquent and approachable; he brings wit, gravitas, and warmth to every chapter without ever overshadowing the rich tapestry woven by Will and Ariel Durant. It’s no exaggeration to say that his clear enunciation and natural pacing make even complex philosophical passages feel alive and accessible – an invaluable asset for a work that so deftly traverses epochs brimming with innovation, conflict, and intellectual revolution.

Turning now to the content: The Durants’ mastery as historians shines through in their sweeping yet intimate survey from Renaissance Europe through early Enlightenment thought. Their writing is meticulous yet inviting – they have a gift for rendering pivotal figures not merely as icons but as living personalities contending with immense cultural shifts. We walk alongside Galileo as he challenges dogma under starlit skies; we peer into courts presided over by Elizabeth I or Henry IV, understanding how personal ambition collides with epochal change.

What truly distinguishes this volume in their celebrated “Story of Civilization” series is its embrace of both ideas and individuals. Francis Bacon’s essays are explored not only for their arguments about reason over tradition but also for what they reveal about society’s restless search for progress – a theme echoed across centuries. And when Shakespeare steps onto history’s stage, illuminated so vibrantly by both authorial prose and narrator’s voice, listeners encounter literature not as dusty relics but as living commentary on human nature itself.

If there’s any caveat here it lies simply in scope: at nearly thirteen hours (and packing centuries into every minute), newcomers might find themselves pausing often to absorb all that’s offered. But rather than feeling burdensome or dense for density’s sake, each segment rewards curiosity with fresh insight – testament again to both scholarly rigor from the Durants and Gardner’s engaging performance.

Ultimately, “The Age of Reason Begins” isn’t just an account of events past; it feels like an invitation – one that asks us to reflect on our own age through stories rendered timeless by thoughtful narration and historical empathy. For anyone interested in how daring minds forged new paths against tides of convention – or simply craving immersive nonfiction storytelling at its finest – this audiobook delivers in abundance.

Download & Listen

Ready for your own intellectual voyage? “The Age of Reason Begins” stands out as one of history’s grandest narratives brought vibrantly to life through Grover Gardner’s exceptional narration. Don’t miss your chance to experience this compelling chapter from Will & Ariel Durant’s masterwork – download your copy today at KTAudiobooks.com, where exploration meets inspiration!