Civilisation

A Personal View

Kenneth Clark

Recommended By

Book Reviews

One of Paul Graham's answers to 'What should I read to learn more about history?'

Book Synopsis

"Civilisation" by Kenneth Clark is a profound exploration of human history and artistic development. Spanning across centuries and continents, this book delves into the realms of art, architecture, literature, and philosophy to uncover the essence of civilisation. Through a meticulously crafted narrative, Clark takes readers on a journey filled with captivating anecdotes and insightful analysis.

Beginning with the dawn of civilisation in the ancient world, the book unravels the fundamental elements that shaped human society. It examines the rise and fall of various empires, highlighting their artistic achievements and cultural contributions. From the grandeur of Egypt's pyramids to the intricate beauty of Greek sculptures, Clark meticulously guides readers through the rich tapestry of human imagination.

As the narrative progresses, the author explores the pivotal role of religion in shaping civilisations, showcasing the influence of Christianity, Islam, and other major faiths on art and architecture. He delves into the transformative power of Renaissance, the artistic genius of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, and the cultural revolutions that swept across Europe during the Enlightenment.

Clark's captivating prose seamlessly weaves together historical events with artistic masterpieces, providing readers with a deep understanding of the interplay between creative expression and the societies from which it emerged. With eloquence and clarity, he examines the impact of war, power, and social change on the trajectory of civilisation, drawing connections between broad historical movements and individual artistic achievements.

"Civilisation" is a thought-provoking journey through centuries of human achievement, capturing the universal quest for beauty, meaning, and progress. Clark's masterful storytelling and profound insights make this book an essential read for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the complex tapestry of human civilisation.

Explore More Books

See All
The Meaning of Human Existence
Public Opinion
The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
The Song of the Cell
Hiroshima
The Selfish Gene
The Bed of Procrustes
Tenth of December
The Book of Why
The Biggest Con
Limping on Water
Bass Culture
Machine Learning for Dummies
When Money Dies
Fiasco
Snow Crash
A Time for New Dreams
Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got
A Life
The Man Without a Face
Being Wrong
Order Without Design
The Double Helix
A Shot To Save The World
Syntax & Sage
The Fourth Part of the World
Natural Born Heroes
How An Economy Grows and Why It Crashes
Drive
Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees
The Legend of Henry Ford
Made to Stick
The Letters of William Godwin
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Pale Rider
Bitcoin
Vitamania
Falling into Grace
The Benedict Option
Wake Up: Why The World Has Gone Nuts
Friday Black
Little, Big
Insanely Simple
The Emperor of All Maladies
Good Profit
The Invention of Air
The Snowball
Hackers and Painters
Security Analysis
Cold Calling Techniques
101 Reasons to Get Out of Bed
Alice in Wonderland
Working Backwards
The Wealth of Nations
Why Nations Fail
The Golden Compass
The Age of Entitlement
Googled
Competitive Strategy
Hail Mary
The Parasitic Mind
Your Symphony of Selves
Infrastructure
Jane Eyre
The Pleasure of Finding Things Out
Gang Leader for a Day
The Doctrine of Deification in the Greek Patristic Tradition
The Science of Conjecture
Deep Work
Die With Zero
More Than You Know
Very Good, Jeeves
Super Maker
The Infinite Game
A Brief History of Intelligence
Think Like
English Culture and the Decline of the Industrial Spirit, 1850-1980
Zen in the Art of Archery
Spiritual Enlightenment, the Damnedest Thing
Daring Greatly
The Sunday Philosophy Club
Strength In Stillness
Permanent Record
Amazon Unbound
Great Short Poems
The British Are Coming
Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Lagom
Ender's Shadow
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
Paradigms
How To Lie With Statistics
Albert Einstein
A Peace to End All Peace
The Power of Habit
Free The Animal
Endure
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Central Banking 101
Can't Hurt Me