William James Durant (1885–1981) was an American historian, philosopher, and prolific writer. He is best known for his monumental work, “The Story of Civilization”, an 11-volume series that meticulously details the history of both Eastern and Western civilizations. His earlier notable work, “The Story of Philosophy” (1926), significantly contributed to popularizing philosophy. Durant’s approach was to view philosophy as a total perspective, emphasizing the importance of understanding things “from the perspective of the whole”. William James Durant’s dedication to capturing the essence of civilization through his writing continues to inspire generations of readers.