The Age of Louis XIV (The Story of Civilization VIII) [Hardcover]

Will Durant (Author), Ariel Durant (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 816 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; FIRST EDITIION edition (December 25, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671012150
• ISBN-13: 978-0671012151
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.9 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,012,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sunrise, Sunset!, June 6, 2003

By 

James Gallen (St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Age of Louis XIV (The Story of Civilization VIII) (Hardcover)

Over the past year I have read extensively about the 17th century. "The Age of Louis XIV" is the best book which I have found on the period. Volume VII of Will and Ariel Durant's multi-volume "Story of Civilization", this book documents more detail of the era than any others which I have read.

The book begins with sections on France and England. The next section is "The Periphery" dealing with Russia, Poland, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, and Iberia. After the geographically oriented sections, the reader is treated to sections organized along intellectual topics, such as science, philosophy, and faith and reason, which contain chapters dealing with specific philosophers or scientists. The conclusion wraps it all up with the denouement of Louis XIV.

This book makes the 17th century understandable. The premier character of the era was Louis XIV, the Sun King of France. During his reign, the policies of he and his ministers established France's day in the sun. Absolute ruler of the most populous and powerful kingdom in Western Europe, Louis made France the center of Western Civilization. On these pages we learn about the Fronde, the revolt by the nobility at the rising of his Sun, from which Louis acquired his life long aversion to Paris, Louis' aggressive support of Catholicism, while at the same time maintaining illicit personal relationships, and his generous support for the arts. This era, rich in French literature and theatre, as represented in Moliere, is revealed.

The forces threatening to rend the Catholic Church further asunder, as well as the relationship between King and Pope, are dealt with in detail. I was surprised to learn that Louis exercised a power over the Church in France similar to that which Henry VIII had previously established over the Church in England.

England, meanwhile, endured Cromwell, The Stuart Restoration, and the Glorious Revolution, while spawning Milton, Dryden, Swift and other literary giants.

Interesting contrasts are illustrated. Whereas in France the monarchy was strengthened into absolutism, England was making hesitating steps toward democracy. Whereas Louis excluded much of the nobility from government and military service, essentially forcing them into the role of idle rich, the English nobility gradually gained power and responsibility for the governance of their country. We can see how these trends may have encouraged the resentment of the aristocrats on the part of the French peasantry, which may have contributed to the intensity of feeling during The Terror of the French Revolution. By contrast, the empowerment of the English nobility may have helped solidify the tradition of peaceful political maturation.

On the Periphery, Charles XII brought Sweden to the zenith of its international power, while Peter the great modernized Russia. Germany survived the onslaught of the Turks, while Italy and Iberia, the "Old Europe" of the day, slid through an era of decline.

Intellectually the era was one of giants. Many of the names with which we are familiar come alive as we read of Isaac Newton, Thomas Hobbes, John Lock, Spinoza, Leibniz and others.

The conclusion of the era was the sunset of the Sun King. Having exhausted his country with dynastic war, bled it with unequal taxation and incurred the enmity of the world, Louis negotiated a peace which left his kingdom a shattered hulk of its former greatness.

For anyone desiring an introduction to the history of the 17th century, this is a great place to start. It has me ready for other books in the Durants' "Story of Civilization".

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful history book ever we have, October 13, 2000

By 

wendy wang (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Age of Louis XIV (The Story of Civilization VIII) (Hardcover)

You don't have to be a historical researcher or student to understand and enjoy this book. The well-written style of the book makes it much easier to read. Will Durant very successfully putted the whole Europe together of the age without lost you in the jungle. The words from Will Durant were so elegant and entertaining. There is no word could explain how good the book is! Go get one, and you will enjoy it! I heat to carry a thick book with me but this one is the only exception because you don't want to stop reading it. That's how good the book is!

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ample picture of an age., May 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Age of Louis XIV (The Story of Civilization VIII) (Hardcover)

Will and Ariel Durant once more met with success in writing about a period of history exposing all fundamental aspects of the european life during the age of Louis XIV. Politics, Science, Economy, Arts, Religion, Philosophy... Nothing escapes of the Durants' accurate appreciation. Essencial episodes for a better understanding of that age are detailed explained: The incredible France's power; the enormeous vitality of Netherlader Republic; the revolutions that shaked England; the transformations in the Holy Empire; the spanish decadence; the russian ascension. But even analysing the usual looks, the Durants didn't forget the great individual personalities of the seventeenth century: The subtle political strategy of Mazarin; The sarcastic Moliére's novels; the confusing philosophy of Spinoza; the masterly campaigns of Marlboroug; the extraordinary physics of Newton and - of course - the most powerful caracther that gave his name to the book's title: Louis XIV. When writing about this man, the Durants showed, not only their historical kowledge, but - very important - their deep phisicological analysis of a man and his age. The greatness and the misery of the most mighty overlord of the seventeenth century. Probably this is the great merit of this book. The authors expound the details, without losing the general focus.