Lot 831

(11) Vols 1950-75 "The Story of Civilization" by Will & Ariel Durant Comprehensive History Of Civilization In DJs

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Lot 831
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(11) Vols 1950-75 "The Story of Civilization" by Will & Ariel Durant Comprehensive History Of Civilization In DJs
(11) Vols 1950-75 "The Story of Civilization" by Will & Ariel Durant Comprehensive History Of Civilization In DJs
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(11) Vols 1950-75 "The Story of Civilization" by Will & Ariel Durant Comprehensive History Of Civilization In DJs

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Estimate: $200 - $300

Starting Bid: $60

(0 Bids)
by The Book Barn
August 13, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Timed Auction
353 Indian Village Road
Shapliegh, ME, US 07076

Set of (11) VINTAGE Volumes 1950-1975 "The Story of Civilization" by Will & Ariel Durant Comprehensive History Of Civilization East & West In Dust Jackets.

COMPLETE HARDCOVER SET 1960s Simon & Schuster Book Club Edition, unknown printings.

TITLES: Will Durant planned to write a history of the 19th century. He started to work on it only to find that his subject could be understood only in terms of what had come before. His researches gradually led him into the formation of a plan for writing a history of all civilization--ancient and modern, Occidental and Oriental. An exhaustive historical work including approximately 10,000 pages of material. "The Story of Civilization" is an eleven-volume set of books. It was written over a lifetime, and it totals two million words across nearly 10,000 pages. In the first book of the series ("Our Oriental Heritage,"), Mr. Durant stated that he wanted to include the history of the West through the early 20th century. However, the series ends with "The Age of Napoleon" since the Durants died before any additional volumes, beyond that point, could be completed. The first six volumes of "The Story of Civilization" are credited to Will Durant, with Ariel receiving recognition in the acknowledgements. In later volumes, beginning with "The Age of Reason Begins," Ariel is credited as a co-author. The set was titled: "The Story Of Civilization" with subtitles as shown below. Each volume is complete within itself, including Index. Each is also profusely illustrated with lining paper maps, photos, line drawings, etc. The complete set is eleven volumes. Our set contains Volume XI, "The Age Of Napoleon", which is not often found in most sets.

1) "Our Oriental Heritage"; Volume I; "Being a history of civilization in Egypt and the Near East to the Death of Alexander; and in India, China, and Japan from the beginning to our own day; with an Introduction on nature and foundations of civilization."

2) "The Life of Greece"; Volume II; "A history of Greek government, industry, manners, morals, religion, philosophy, science, literature and art from the earliest times to the Roman Conquest."

3) "Caesar and Christ"; Volume III; "Survey of all aspects of Roman life--politics, economics, literature, artm morals. It ends with the conflict of pagan and Christian forces and raises the curtain on the great struggle between church and state."

4) "The Age of Faith; Volume IV; "A history of Medieval civilization from Constantine to Dante--A. D. 325-1300.

5) "The Renaissance"; Volume V; "A history of civilization in Italy from the birth of Petrarch to the death of Titian—1304-1576."

6) "The Reformation"; Volume VI; "A history of European civilization from Wycliff to Calvin: 1300-1564."

7) "The Age of Reason Begins"; Volume VII; "A history of European civilization in the period of Shakespeare, Bacon, Montaigne, Rembrandt, Galileo, and Descartes: 1558-1648."

8) "The Age of Louis XIV"; Volume VIII; "A history of European civilization in the period of Pascal, Moliere, Cromwell, Milton, Peter the Great, Newton and Spinoza: 1648-1715."

9) "The Age of Voltaire"; Volume IX; "A history of civilization in Western Europe from 1715 to 1756, with special emphasis on the conflict between religion and philosophy."

10) "Rousseau and Revolution"; Volume X; "A history of civilization in France, England and Germany from 1756, and in the remainder of Europe from 1715 to 1789."

11) "The Age Of Napoleon"; Volume XI; "Durant did not plan to write this volume. His previous book, "Rousseau and Revolution," ends with a final bow. But Durant lived longer than he anticipated (he died at 96), so he decided to devote his final years to a bonus book on Napoleon. "The Age of Napoleon" surveys the amazing chain of events that wrenched Europe out of the Enlightenment and into the Age of Democracy. Exactly as shown in listing scan(s).

UNCOMMON AS A FULL SET IN DJs ESPECIALLY WHEN CONTAINING VOLUME XI WHICH IS NOT OFTEN FOUND IN A SET.

Each volume is also profusely illustrated with lining paper maps, photos, line drawings, etc. Internally tight & unmarked. Exterior Binding: all decorations/lettering bright. Varying amounts of edge wear/some volumes with short closed tears or previous owners information to SELDOM PRESENT unclipped DJs. NO REMAINDER MARK; NOT X-LIBRARY.

ALL ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE ACCURATELY DESCRIBED, NOT DEFECTIVE, & GENUINE.

PLEASE NOTE: We do all our own shipping. We will combine shipping on multiple items, where possible to save the wining bidder on shipping costs. Shipping will be added to winning bidder's invoice for item(s) won. Media Mail postage from USPS will be used for shipping in the United States for those items allowed. Lowest alternative cost shipping will be billed for items not allowed by USPS to be shipped by Media Mail. Foreign winning bidders will pay postage based on their countries small/medium/large Flat Rate box postage rates & weight of the package. Other types of postage are available at added expense at the bidders request. You also agree to pay any applicable taxes and/or customs/import duties. A Tracking Number will be provided to buyer. Insurance is mandatory on packages over $100 USD and will be added to postage charges when applicable.

  • Condition: Very Good Condition

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We do all our own shipping. Shipping will be added to winning bidder's invoice for item(s) won. Media Mail postage from USPS will be used for shipping in the United States for those items allowed. Lowest alternative cost shipping will be billed for items not allowed by USPS to be shipped by Media Mail. Foreign winning bidders will pay postage based on their countries small/medium/large Flat Rate box postage rates & weight of the package. Other types of postage are available at added expense at the bidders request. You also agree to pay any applicable taxes and/or customs/import duties. A Tracking Number will be provided to buyer. Insurance is mandatory on packages over $100 USD and will be added to postage charges when applicable.

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