Fallen Leaves

Fallen Leaves was written by Will Durant, the historian and philosopher who won a Pulitzer Prize, and it was not published until thirty-two years after his death. It is his last and most intimate book, written for anyone who has searched for purpose in life or wished for a thoughtful mentor to help them through it.

The book is organized into twenty-two brief chapters. Each one takes up a single subject, moving from the concerns of youth and the reflections of old age to questions of faith, ethics, sexuality, warfare, government and the arts.

Read as a companion to Durant's broader life of study, the book offers a personal, reflective voice rather than a sweeping historical account. It suits readers who enjoy philosophical essays and want to think through everyday questions alongside a seasoned writer.