About the Author

Arthur Herman is the bestselling author of Freedom’s Forge, How the Scots Invented the Modern World, The Idea of Decline in Western History, To Rule the Waves, and Gandhi and Churchill, which was a 2009 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Herman has been a professor of history at Georgetown University, The Catholic University of America, George Mason University, and Sewanee- The University of the South.

Reviews

Praise for The Cave and the Light

A sweeping intellectual history viewed through two ancient Greek lenses . . . breezy and enthusiastic but resting on a sturdy rock of research. Kirkus Reviews
Examining mathematics, politics, theology, and architecture, the book demonstrates the continuing relevance of the ancient world. Publishers Weekly

A fabulous way to understand over two millennia of history, all in one book. Library Journal

Entertaining and often illuminating. The Wall Street Journal

Praise for Arthur Herman

Gandhi & Churchill
Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize

You finish the book knowing that you can evaluate the world today, particularly modern India, with more knowledge and insight. USA Today

Scrupulous, compelling, and unfailingly instructive . . . a detailed and richly filigreed account that introduces the Anglo-American reader to many facts and vivid if little-known personalities, both English and Indian. Commentary

Freedom s Forge
A rambunctious book that is itself alive with the animal spirits of the marketplace. The Wall Street Journal

How the Scots Invented the Modern World

Professor Herman demonstrates an infectious and uplifting passion for his subject. Unlike many academics, he is a natural writer, weaving philosophical concerns seamlessly through a historical narrative that romps along at a cracking pace, producing a text that is highly accessible without compromising the rational quality of his argument. The Guardian"

Praise for "The Cave and the Light"
""
A sweeping intellectual history viewed through two ancient Greek lenses . . . breezy and enthusiastic but resting on a sturdy rock of research. "Kirkus Reviews"
Examining mathematics, politics, theology, and architecture, the book demonstrates the continuing relevance of the ancient world. "Publishers Weekly"
""
A fabulous way to understand over two millennia of history, all in one book. "Library Journal"
""
Entertaining and often illuminating. "The Wall Street Journal"
""
Praise for Arthur Herman
"Gandhi & Churchill"
Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize
""
You finish the book knowing that you can evaluate the world today, particularly modern India, with more knowledge and insight. " USA Today"
""
Scrupulous, compelling, and unfailingly instructive . . . a detailed and richly filigreed account that introduces the Anglo-American reader to many facts and vivid if little-known personalities, both English and Indian. "Commentary"
"Freedom s Forge"
A rambunctious book that is itself alive with the animal spirits of the marketplace. "The Wall Street Journal"
"How the Scots Invented the Modern World"
Professor Herman demonstrates an infectious and uplifting passion for his subject. Unlike many academics, he is a natural writer, weaving philosophical concerns seamlessly through a historical narrative that romps along at a cracking pace, producing a text that is highly accessible without compromising the rational quality of his argument. " The Guardian""

Praise for "The Cave and the Light"
" "
"A sweeping intellectual history viewed through two ancient Greek lenses . . . breezy and enthusiastic but resting on a sturdy rock of research."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"Examining mathematics, politics, theology, and architecture, the book demonstrates the continuing relevance of the ancient world."--"Publishers Weekly"
" "
"A fabulous way to understand over two millennia of history, all in one book."--"Library Journal"
" "
"Entertaining and often illuminating."--"The Wall Street Journal"
" "
Praise for Arthur Herman
"Gandhi & Churchill"
Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize
" "
"You finish the book knowing that you can evaluate the world today, particularly modern India, with more knowledge and insight.""--USA Today"
" "
"Scrupulous, compelling, and unfailingly instructive . . . a detailed and richly filigreed account that introduces the Anglo-American reader to many facts and vivid if little-known personalities, both English and Indian."--"Commentary"
"Freedom's Forge"
"A rambunctious book that is itself alive with the animal spirits of the marketplace."--"The Wall Street Journal"
"How the Scots Invented the Modern World"
"Professor Herman demonstrates an infectious and uplifting passion for his subject. Unlike many academics, he is a natural writer, weaving philosophical concerns seamlessly through a historical narrative that romps along at a cracking pace, producing a text that is highly accessible without compromising the rational quality of his argument.""--The Guardian"

Praise for "The Cave and the Light"
" "
"Sweeping . . . Examining mathematics, politics, theology, and architecture, the book demonstrates the continuing relevance of the ancient world."--"Publishers Weekly"

"Breezy and enthusiastic but resting on a sturdy rock of research."--"Kirkus Reviews"
" "
"A fabulous way to understand over two millennia of history, all in one book."--"Library Journal"
" "
Praise for Arthur Herman

"Gandhi & Churchill"
Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize
" "
"You finish the book knowing that you can evaluate the world today, particularly modern India, with more knowledge and insight.""--USA Today"
" "
"Scrupulous, compelling, and unfailingly instructive . . . a detailed and richly filigreed account that introduces the Anglo-American reader to many facts and vivid if little-known personalities, both English and Indian."--"Commentary"

"Freedom's Forge"

"A rambunctious book that is itself alive with the animal spirits of the marketplace."--"The Wall Street Journal"

"How the Scots Invented the Modern World"

"Professor Herman demonstrates an infectious and uplifting passion for his subject. Unlike many academics, he is a natural writer, weaving philosophical concerns seamlessly through a historical narrative that romps along at a cracking pace, producing a text that is highly accessible without compromising the rational quality of his argument.""--The Guardian"

Advance praise for "The Cave and the Light"
" "
"A sweeping intellectual history viewed through two ancient Greek lenses . . . breezy and enthusiastic but resting on a sturdy rock of research."--"Kirkus Reviews"
" "
"A fabulous way to understand over two millennia of history, all in one book."--"Library Journal"
" "
Praise for Arthur Herman

"Gandhi & Churchill"
Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize
" "
"You finish the book knowing that you can evaluate the world today, particularly modern India, with more knowledge and insight.""--USA Today"
" "
"Scrupulous, compelling, and unfailingly instructive . . . a detailed and richly filigreed account that introduces the Anglo-American reader to many facts and vivid if little-known personalities, both English and Indian."--"Commentary"

"Freedom's Forge"

"A rambunctious book that is itself alive with the animal spirits of the marketplace."--"The Wall Street Journal"

"How the Scots Invented the Modern World"

"Professor Herman demonstrates an infectious and uplifting passion for his subject. Unlike many academics, he is a natural writer, weaving philosophical concerns seamlessly through a historical narrative that romps along at a cracking pace, producing a text that is highly accessible without compromising the rational quality of his argument.""--The Guardian"

Praise for Arthur Herman's "Gandhi & Churchill, "finalist for the Pulitzer Prize

"Herman has researched "Gandhi & Churchill" meticulously and written it fluently.""--The Wall Street Journal"
" "
"You finish the book knowing that you can evaluate the world today, particularly modern India, with more knowledge and insight.""--USA Today"
" "
"Scrupulous, compelling, and unfailingly instructive . . . a detailed and richly filigreed account that introduces the Anglo-American reader to many facts and vivid if little-known personalities, both English and Indian."--"Commentary"

"An ambitious, reasoned joint biography . . . Herman's measured portrait of each man conveys his entire worldview, shaped by class, history and education. . . . A well-wrought historical narrative that adds significantly to our understanding of both figures.""--Kirkus Reviews"
" "
"Highly recommended . . . The complex task of drawing comparison and contrast between two of the most chronicled lives of the twentieth century is easily and compellingly handled."--"Library Journal "(starred review)

"Paints a forceful portrait of the emergence of the postcolonial era in the fateful contrast--and surprising affinities--between two historic figures . . . a fascinating narrative of their times.""--Publishers Weekly"