Transition: A Mental Autobiography

by Will Durant

A champion of human rights issues such as the brotherhood of man and social reform long before such issues were popular, Durant, through his writings, continues to educate and entertain readers the world over.

From Simon & Schuster, Transition is a sentimental story of one mind and one era—a mental autobiography from Pulitzer Prize winner Will Durant.

Genres: Philosophy, Biography, History, Politics, Autobiography, Memoir

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1927

About the author

William James Durant was a prolific American writer, historian, and philosopher. He is best known for the 11-volume The Story of Civilization, written in collaboration with his wife Ariel and published between 1935 and 1975. He was earlier noted for his book, The Story of Philosophy, written in 1926, which was considered "a groundbreaking work that helped to popularize philosophy."

They were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for literature in 1967 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977.

Reviews

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fictionalized autobiography of Will Durant's early years (up until his 30's). I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone interested in the life of one of our most recent well rounded scholars, as well as anyone looking for a reason for optimism in this world (anything by Durant will do for that!). I have and recommend the 1927 edition, mine is held together with some tape but it is a beautiful copy.

The "Transition" he is speaking of is his own, from a catholic faith in God to a faith in humanity, and when that faltered, his love for his wife and learning. Eventually when his daughter is born at the end of the book he has a full return to joy. He tells the story of this transition as his own, but he believes it reflects what many in his generation were experiencing and really, the whole of western culture.

Will Durant was picked at a young age by a catholic priest to enter the priesthood. It was a path he followed up into seminary. It was about his 25th year of life when he abandoned that track for his life. He was eager to test his beliefs in many environments and read outside the approved reading list. It was not an easy, or quick transition for him. His family and many others had given him much to help him be a man of faith, when his searching led him outside those realms there were at least a few people who were very upset.

After being given the opportunity to teach in various catholic schools he found his way into a "free school", which allowed students to learn at their own pace in a non-coercive way. Most of the people there were anarchists, essentially transferring that non-coercive way of schooling into an idea of how government should be run. There is some good recollection of conversations he has with some of those anarchists and socialists as he begun getting opportunities to lecture here and there.

At the free school he met his wife Ariel (a student, age 14!). He decided to resign from the school also with the goal of setting himself to more study. I can't remember if it was this book or his "Dual autobiography" (written with his wife) where he says he didn't think he would be useful to society for at least 5-6 years. He went to Columbia University to study Philosophy.

Durant is very optimistic about humanity. He is a sincere believer in progress. Some might tell him to read more, or to experience more, but you would then discover he is one of the most well read people of, perhaps, all time. He went on a reading rampage after leaving seminary where he said he read an astronomical amount of books, much more than my own 80-something.

This book is, like everything I have read of Durant's, a simple and accessible read for those interested in the topics.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Will Durant delivers stunning prose, poetry, depth, and infectious curiosity. Reading this book was a mediation of sorts for me, a way to commune with another soul that I felt resonates with my own, despite our differences in time and geography. Unlike most autobiographies, which gloss over disreputable articles in the past, Will highlights where he went wrong, what vanities, egotisms, and mistaken beliefs he had. Looking over this book is not only an instructive endeavor, but also a relieving balm to someone like me, just starting in life. It comforts me immensely to know that things can go wrong, sometimes to the point of literally getting blown up, and yet still turn out quite wonderfully. Will's voice is gentle, eloquent, honest, wise, and eminently liable to be reread.

[Gary Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written as a novel, Transition is largely autobiographical. It traces Will Durant’s journey from aspiring Catholic priest, through a crisis of faith, toward becoming a secular humanist, philosopher, and historian. Durant describes the intellectual influences (notably Spinoza) and experiences that led him from religious certainty to a philosophical and scientific questioning of inherited belief and received knowledge.

This is a well-trodden path for many. Durant tells the story with respect for both faith and doubt. Readers who have undergone a similar transition will likely recognize themselves in this book

[Winston Elliott III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunningly beautiful.

[Safdar · Rating 4 out of 5]

'perhaps it was a common incident in every generation, as the young tried their growing minds against the dogmas and authority of the old'

[youssef elfakir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read.