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 the nature and foundations of civilization
by Will Durant
Front Cover:
This is a wonderful old book. This book was published in 1935 and this is a copy of a later printing which was published in1954 by Simon and Schuster, New York. The book measures 6 7/8 inches by 9 ¾ inches and contains xxxii, 1049 pages and an additional 64 pages of illustrations. The illustrations are printed on a glossy, good quality paper. The title page indicates that this book is part of a series, however it would appear that the book is complete in and of itself pertaining to the subject matter contained in the book. The maroon cloth cover has lovely pictorial on the front in gilt. The title is on the spine in gilt (faded). The cover shows minor signs of wear to the edges, corners and to the top and bottom of the spine. The spine is tight and the hinges are strong. The pages have pictorial maps on the end pages. The pages show no signs of rips. Exceptions noted, the overall condition of this old book is very good.
Contents:
Book One – The Near East
Chronological Table of Near East History
Book Two – India and Her Neighbors
Chronological Table of Indian History
Book Three – The Far East
A. China
Chronology of the Chinese Civilization
B. Japan
Chronology of the Japanese Civilization
Envoi: Our Oriental Heritage
Glossary of Foreign Terms
Bibliography of Books Referred to in the Text
Notes
Pronouncing and Biographical Index
Excerpt – The Life of the People (India):
Manners, Customs and Character
Sexual modesty – Hygiene – Dress – Appearance – the gentle art among the Hindus – Faults and Virtues – Games – Festivals – Death
It will seem incredible to the provincial mind that the same people that tolerated such institutions as child marriage, temple prostitution and suttee was also pre-eminent in gentleness, decency and courtesy. Aside from a few devadasis, prostitutes were rare in India, and sexual propriety was exceptionally high. “It must be admitted,” says the unsympathetic Dubois, “that the laws of etiquette and social politeness are much more clearly laid down, and much better observed by all classes of Hindus, even by the lowest, than they are by people of corresponding social position in Europe.” The leading role played by sex in the Occidental conversation and wit was quite alien to Hindu manners, which forbade any public intimacy between men and women, and looked upon the physical contact of the sexes in dancing as improper and obscene. A Hindu woman might go anywhere in public without fear of molestation or insult, indeed the risk, as the Oriental saw the matter, was all on the other side. Manyu warns men: “Woman is by nature ever inclined to tempt man; hence a man should not sit in a secluded place even with his nearest female relative”; and he must never look higher than the ankles of a passing girl…
End excerpt
Note: The final illustration – Moneys and Birds. By Sesshiu, 15th Century
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