The Age of Faith was published by Simon & Schuster in 1950 as the fourth volume of The Story of Civilization. It covered the period from Constantine (fourth century) to Dante (fourteenth century), encompassing three distinct civilizations: Byzantine, Islamic, and Western European. The scope was enormous — this was the longest volume in the series at over 1,100 pages — and Durant’s treatment of Islamic civilization was as detailed and sympathetic as his treatment of Christendom.
Durant’s medieval volume challenged the popular conception of the “Dark Ages” by demonstrating the intellectual, artistic, and institutional vitality of the period. The construction of the Gothic cathedrals, the development of Scholastic philosophy, the flowering of Islamic science and art, and the complex political structures of feudalism were presented as achievements, not as preludes to the “real” civilization of the Renaissance.
Collecting The Age of Faith
First edition (Simon & Schuster, New York, 1950): Cloth binding with dust jacket.
Market values:
- Fine in dust jacket: $60–$150
- Very good: $20–$50
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
The Medieval World
The Age of Faith (1950) is Volume IV, covering Byzantine civilization, the rise of Islam, and medieval European civilization from Constantine to Dante. Durant’s treatment of Islamic civilization is notably respectful and informed — he presents the Golden Age of Islam as one of humanity’s great cultural achievements. The volume also covers Jewish history in the Middle Ages, the Crusades, the founding of the great universities, and the flowering of Gothic art and architecture. At 1,200 pages, it is one of the longest volumes in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Durant cover Islamic civilization fairly? For its era, his treatment of Islam was remarkably sympathetic and well-informed. Durant admired Islamic contributions to science, philosophy, and art, and presented the medieval Islamic world as in many ways more advanced than Christian Europe.