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The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time
- Narrated by: John Little
- Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
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The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time
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Publisher's Summary
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)
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What listeners love about The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anjana Kovoor
- 26-02-19
A great overview of Civilizatiion
The book is biased towards history of the Americas and Europe but yet done in a very engaging anf interesting way
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- B N Biradar
- 19-08-22
An enjoyable and an excellent audio book
It gives a vivid picture of ancient, medieveal and modern history, philosophy and literature and what not. Enjoyable audio book. The narration is excellent and very pleasant to the ears, mind and brain. Totally an excellent audio book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tanya
- 16-08-22
highly recommend the book!!
the narration of the audiobook seemed a bit robotic at times but it wasn't unbearable. the need to listen to the content of the book outweighed the need to criticise the narration quality. i think this has been one of the most useful books that i've ever come across. i've always felt a bit envious of people who get introduced to great philosophers/artists/musicians by their seniors or peers or parents but this book opened a whole new world for me to discover. i've made a lengthy list of all the great men and women, all the books and works of art introduced in this book. will durant put me on some really great musical performances too.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 28-07-22
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Surendra Kumar Pande
- 07-03-22
Essay Compiled
Being complex essays, at times it feels disjointed. General public may find it too dragged but people interested in European History may find it interesting.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ramneek Bhasin
- 12-12-21
Brilliant and Facinating
Loved it specially the last 2 chapters. Makes you wanna read the rest of his works.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ashley Solomon
- 01-06-21
Concise and enthralling
A wonderfully crafted masterpiece and worth every minute. Go ahead and enjoy this lovely book
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- James
- 06-04-04
Puzzled
We purchased this title thinking it would be thought provoking and spur conversation regarding who was/was not included in each list. It was quickly apparent that the author was not modern and did not write in a lively manner. Granted, his essays were intended to be read rather than heard, but the rambling definitions were tedious. If you are unfamiliar with this author's work (as we were), we strongly suggest that you read some of the essays before buying the audio file. Better to discover his prejudices at the local library than after spending $$ on an antiquated world view.
39 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- Ted
- 25-03-06
Too Fast
Whilst the content was interesting, the narrator read way too fast. I could not absorb much of the content. As a result I did not enjoy the book. This is the first time I have had this issue with audio books. From now on I will always listen to sample before purchase.
28 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- RAC
- 31-10-04
Materialism and the human mind reign supreme!
Ironically, I purchased this book because of the review that I read online. In this review the author of this book, Will Durant, was referred to as having an "old world view". I was hoping that this referred to a more classical view of mankind, his origins, morality and society, however, it did not. From my perspective, this point of view is one of materialism taken to the extreme. Decidedly modern, with a five senses view of existence, with the human mind reigning supreme as the ultimate discerner of truth, yet being nothing more than that of an evolved animal. No room for higher consciousness, spirituality, or anything for that matter, beyond what we can see, touch, feel, and most importantly, think of. I recommend that you investigate the author before investing your money, and most importantly, your time into this audio book.
26 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- Randall Key
- 05-07-07
He can do better!
Many on the list are antiquated. And the lists are read as quickly as the reasons for his choice. In some categories it's like hearing a hone book read. Durant does better on his history of the philosophers. In this book He leaves out all of the religious leaders on a purpose that I don't understand. Most of which held more sway, good and bad, than any of the others on a list. I'll order another from Durant just because he has been so good in the past. But I could have skipped this one and not lost sleep.
17 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Arthur Pendragon
- 07-02-16
Great Summary
If you could sum up The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time in three words, what would they be?
Overview. Fascinating. Inspiring.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time?
The entire book was exceptional.
Which character – as performed by John Little – was your favorite?
Too difficult to choose.
Any additional comments?
This book is supposed to be an overview, so the reviews that criticize this book as being "too fast" do not seem to be taking in to account the very objective of this book in that it is meant to be a summary. This book is well worth the read, as are the other books by Will Durant. I highly recommend them.
14 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Milton
- 22-06-12
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.
12 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Knott Now
- 10-03-15
A "Greatest Hits" of History
This was my introduction to Will Durant. The writing is spectacular. The language at times is almost poetic and I felt the speed at which the text was read was a bit fast. It is short but meaty. I highly recommend it; you will find yourself skipping back a few times to fully enjoy the prose.
10 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Douglas
- 19-09-11
Incomplete
What would have made The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time better?
This is, as I understand, an incomplete work of Durant, and it is mostly a big disappointment. For the most part, it is a list of antiquated works put forth as the basis for a fundamental education. No kicks against his list, except that a lot of it was rather obvious and there is very little expansion on the whys of his picks. Begin elsewhere with Durant.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ray
- 08-08-15
INDIGESTIBLE
Too much to digest at the reader's pace. Some interesting ideas, but not worth the time.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Temisan
- 20-02-16
Mind changing
Really enjoyed it, Loved it, would listen to it again when i habe the chance to, will definitely recommend it to a friend
4 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- Thomas
- 11-07-07
Poor choice of narator lets excellent title down
This titlte is another jewel from Will Durant but I can not recommend it due to the poor naration. The voice is flat and makes the book unlistenable. This has nothing to do with the sound quality and is due to the reader. I advise listening to the excellenty narated 'The Story of Philosophy' by the same author and compare prior to purchase. I will be seeking to return this title.
8 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- citizenade
- 03-09-15
Great recommendations
Great recommendations some of them are pure gold which I will try and buy. Epic
2 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- David
- 06-07-13
Durant being Durant, not a bad thing...
Will Durant was nothing if not an unashamed elitist and his personal take on the greatest minds and figure in history are fairly well justified, though he admits himself his choice of greatest poets is somewhat personal! Some of the other choices might be considered in the same light. Well worth as listen though.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- Tone
- 21-11-22
A list would have sufficed
A three hour essay on why you should read the books you should read for an all rounded Human education.
a PDF with a list of the books would have sufficed so that one can make a start on this mammoth task.
Some of his recommendations are outdated and obscure particularly with science, Astronomy, psychology etc where recent discoveries have moved knowledge on significantly.
you would be wasting your time reading early 19th century books on Astronomy and Physics.
Durant himself has written hugely important tombs on World history.
Better to read those than this essay.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- nicola devas
- 12-09-22
Where are the women?
For this author women do not seem to exist. He refers to men , mankind, man, and schoolboys for the members of the human race. Women are simply not in his thoughts at all. Won’t be reading another of his one sided views.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tony H.
- 25-06-22
So interesting and educational
I would definitely recommend this book and will Durant for anyone interested in history and knowledge
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- the clapham cook
- 27-04-22
Is this a robot reading a book?
I agree with other reviews - this is barely listenable because it sounds like it’s being read by a robot. I actually started laughing because the diction is so bad - it sounds like when my Mac is set to voiceover or a bad Sat Nav.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- vitorino oliveira
- 13-02-20
Difficult to follow and boring
The narrator reads very fast without inflexion and emotion, no pauses either. The book is very good.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew Dawson
- 24-11-17
Exceptionally interesting but
daunting amount I need to read now. great reference for impactful history and books that could transform your perspective of this world. I'll be using it for this
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anna Maria Rusanova
- 03-03-16
Brilliant!
This was an amazing book that I was happy to listen to! The narrator was doing an amazing job, as he made the experience outstanding - thank you!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Stacey
- 02-01-22
Silly Enlightenment Belief in Progress, etc.
An entertaining enough listen, and quite well narrated, but hardly to be taken seriously by anyone except those who already share the author's worldview- i.e. an Enlightenment enthusiast who has drunk the kool-aid. This is owing to its simplistic understanding of humanity, great-man theory of history approach, and continual dismissals of religion (in just about any form) as mere medieval superstition. Contemporary Christians such as Alvin Plantinga, for example, are not superstitious and under-enlightened, but highly educated and erudite. One imagines that there are also educated and aware Buddhists (for e.g.) who would object to the condescending ways in which their worldview is treated here.
1 person found this helpful