The author does step away from his formula that he used in his first two Volumes. The second half of the book covers from Charlemagne to the Italian Renaissance, which compares and contrast the progress in Western Civilization with the Islamic Civilization. Perfect order leads to no liberty, tolerance of others beliefs can not exist under absolute certainty, and the part can not understand the whole. The author has a couple of narratives that he uses to tie the book together. The author explains by comparing and contrasting between the religions (including paganism), and explaining clearly while looking within a religion. I learned even more about Christianity and what they believe in and why by listening to the sections on Islam and Judaism.

This book shed light on that for me, for example. One thing I always like to focus on is the development of the Trinity and how it is ultimately resolved. Durant is expert at stepping the reader through. I couldn't follow it, too many 'isms' unless you're an expert. I had earlier read an audible book called 'Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years'. He tells the story by first telling the story of the early Christian Church in ways which the reader can understand. Most books that mention the Islamic Civilizations from 650 AD to 1300 just give comic book like characterizations. The period of time covered is from about 330 AD (Constantin's son) to about 1315 (Dante), and makes the listener understand how the events led to the making of Modern Europe and explains how we get where we are thus adding to my understanding about our place in the universe. The author ties the pieces of the history covered together as a coherent whole.

This book does that better than any book I've listened to this year. Most books I listen to are because I want to find our place in the universe and how we got where we are. This book is my favorite book I've listened to all year.

The age of faith will durant