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
Failure Is Not An Option
On Writing Well
Essays and Aphorisms
Lone Survivor
Free Women, Free Men
The Evolving Self
Not The End of the World
Eating The Big Fish
The Elephant in the Brain
Energy Transitions
Mohandas K. Ghandi
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind
The Idea Factory
XKCD
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Explaining Social Behavior
The Precariat
Lagom
Getting Real
Peak
The Most Important Thing Illuminated
The Plant Paradox
Tender Is The Night
Orwell's Revenge
Harry Potter
Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance?
Sexual Personae
A Spy Among Friends
Valuation
Gang Leader for a Day
A Technique for Producing Ideas
The Magic Of Reality
Brave New Medicine
The Airbnb Story
Golden Gates
Not Zero
My Family and Other Animals
Sleep in Art
The Holy Grail of Investing
Perilous Interventions
The Messy Middle
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The Lean Startup
Cosmos
The Charisma Myth
Becoming
The Gray Lady Winked
Class Warfare
The Battle of Alcazar
The Artist's Way
The Storm of Steel
Peter Pan
Generations
The Golden Compass
Kill It With Fire
The Martian
The Diversity Myth
Musashi
Warren Buffett
Adapt
How Not To Be Wrong
Platform Revolution
There Must Be A Pony In Here Somewhere
What You Do Is Who You Are
Powers of Two
Deep Value
Presidents of War
Three Scientists and Their Gods
Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar
Catch-22
Becoming Steve Jobs
Replay
Making The Modern World
The Story of Civilization: Rousseau and Revolution
The Wager
Slow Sex
Lying
Timelines of World History
Essays In Persuasion
Home Work
Believe In People
A Short History of Myth
Should We Eat Meat?
Learned Optimism
The Paris Architect
Way of the Warrior Kid
The Making of an American Thinking Class
The Time Machine
Lenin
The Rise of the Rest
Americana
Maybe You Should Talk To Someone
Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air
Idea Makers
When Prophecy Fails
The Ethics of Money Production
Why America Is Not a New Rome
A Sense of Where You Are
The Sixth Extinction
The Middleman