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
Talking To Humans
Wealth of Wisdom
The PayPal Wars
Jim Grant UNICEF Visionary
Mastering The Market Cycle
A Wrinkle in Time
Way of the Warrior Kid
Human Compatible
Life After Power
Skin In The Game
The Pursuit of Wow!
Leonardo Da Vinci
A Fighting Chance
1000 Ways to Make $1,000
The Myth of the Rational Voter
The Book of Laughter and Forgetting
To Dare and to Conquer
Cuckoo
Tomorrow's Table
The Mythical Man-Month
Competing Against Time
Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople
The Anatomy of Buzz
Great Expectations
Mathematician's Delight
The Rosie Effect
Over the Edge of the World
The Plus, Self-Help for People Who Hate Self-Help
Rick and Morty Book Two
When Reason Goes on Holiday
The Perfect Bet
Secrets of Power Negotiating
Inside the Investor's Brain
The American Story
The Middleman
Demons
The Power Law
Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World
Nixon Agonistes
Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It
The Sandman
Outlive
I am Anne Frank
The Hockey Stick Illusion
Wild Swans
The New New Thing
Fast Food Nation
The Splendid and the Vile
The Old Way
Imaginable
A Conflict of Visions
An Apology for the Builder
Unsavory Truth
Never Eat Alone
Dealers of Lightning
No Rules Rules
The Trump Century
The Power To Compete
How Companies Win
Defender In Chief
Lords of Finance
Win Your Inner Battles
Hillbilly Elegy
Growth
Collected Fictions
Too Dumb to Fail
The World We Have Lost
Being Nixon
A Bright Future
Live Your Truth
The Origins of Virtue
How to Read a Book
The Intelligent Investor
Eco-Farm
Cry, The Beloved Country
The Age of the Unthinkable
Solution Selling
The Experience Machine
How To Decide
Xi Jinping: The Governance of China
Mismatch
The Middle Kingdoms
Clear Thinking
The Black Jacobins
The Lean Startup
The Warren Buffett Portfolio
Mao
The Making of the President 1960
One Up
The Dip
The Outermost House
The Most Powerful Idea In The World
Complexity
A New History of Greek Mathematics
How Trump Is Making Black America Great Again
Think Like a Rocket Scientist
Every Life Is On Fire
The Path to Love
Finite and Infinite Games
The Varieties of Religious Experience