Tolerance

Name: Tolerance
ISBN: 9787546311265

Hendrik Willem van LoonJilin Publishing Group Co., Ltd. · ChinaApr 2017

4.0

Word count: 183K words
Chapters: 14
ISBN: 9787546311265

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Summary

This is a popular history of human thought, a bestseller for nearly a century. From a humanist standpoint, Van Loon seeks the deeper roots behind conflicts among religious sects, exposing tragedy after tragedy born of stubborn self-righteousness and sketching a sweeping history of human intellectual emancipation. Around the most fundamental questions of human survival and development, he challenges ignorance and prejudice, making knowledge and truth accessible as commonly shared common sense.

Editor's review

Van Loon's Tolerance is a work of thought that holds history up as a mirror, tracing the winding course of human intellectual development to explore the core value of tolerance in civilization. From the pluralistic currents of ancient Greece and Rome to medieval religious oppression and the emancipation of the Renaissance, the author sketches humanity's long road from rejecting to accepting alien ideas. Its value lies not only in rich historical cases but in Van Loon's deep analysis of the roots of intolerance—he attributes bigotry and persecution to fear and ignorance rather than mere malice. This analysis feels especially cautionary in today's era of information abundance and scarce consensus. Written in the 1920s, Tolerance is strikingly prescient about extreme nationalism and ideological fanaticism; its claim that tolerance is a luxury still prompts reflection on building a pluralistic society. Van Loon's prose combines scholarly rigor with essayistic grace, turning complex intellectual history into tangible human stories so that ordinary readers too can be enlightened in history's corridor.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in intellectual history and civilization who want to understand the historical roots of ideological conflict
Intellectuals concerned with pluralistic coexistence seeking a basis for dialogue among groups
Readers who enjoy Van Loon's popular-history style and want deep ideas through stories
Educators and humanities students needing a classic text on tolerance

Not a good fit for

Theoretical researchers expecting rigorous academic monographs with extensive primary sources
Readers seeking light entertainment with little patience for historical narrative and intellectual discussion

Reading tips

Start with the preface and first chapter to grasp Van Loon's core question: why intolerance is the norm in history
Note how historical cases mirror contemporary society, and consider the book's applicability and limits today
Read alongside other Van Loon works such as The Story of Mankind to understand his overall view of history

About the publisher

Jilin Publishing Group Co., Ltd. China · Founded in 2003

Jilin Publishing Group Co., Ltd. focuses on fine fiction, social sciences, literary appreciation, history, classical poetry and classical literature, with 1,141 titles in the library. Representative books include Dan Simmons's science fiction novels Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion, Freud's works on psychology and society such as The Ego and the Id and Group Psychology, and classical literature ranging from Laozi and Zhuangzi, Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Three Hundred Poems of the Tang, Song and Yuan Dynasties to Lü Simian's A General History of China. Its authors include Dan Simmons, Freud, Laozi, Lü Simian, Hengtang Tuishi, Pan Zhenhua, Li Yi and Guan Shanming, reflecting a balance between translated works and domestic editions. Public information is limited; the above is based on the library's holdings.

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FAQ

Is this purely a history book?

Not entirely. Though historical narrative forms the body, Tolerance is closer to intellectual history, using historical cases to set out philosophical reflection and social observation about tolerance, with a clear advocacy of values.

What characterizes Van Loon's writing style?

Van Loon excels at turning complex history and thought into vivid storytelling; his prose is fluent and plain, rich in metaphor and human detail, bringing profound issues within ordinary readers' reach—one reason his popular histories endure.

What relevance does it have for contemporary readers?

As cultural clashes intensify in a globalized age and social media polarizes opinion, Tolerance's analysis of the psychology of intolerance—fear, laziness, ignorance—remains precise, reminding us that true tolerance requires rational understanding and active effort, not mere indifference or compromise.

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About the author

Hendrik Willem van Loon Author · United States · 1882–1944

Hendrik Willem van Loon (1882–1944) was a Dutch-American writer and historian known for his popular works on history and the humanities. He rose to fame in 1921 with The Story of Mankind and continued writing for general readers; this catalog includes 49 of his works. Representative titles include The Story of Mankind, Tolerance, The Story of the Bible, The Home of Mankind, and Van Loon's Geography, along with collected classics and adapted editions for young readers. His writing spans world history, foreign literature, popular science, philosophy, and inspirational growth, and he was skilled at presenting complex historical developments and humanistic knowledge to a broad audience in clear, lively prose that is both informative and readable. His works have circulated widely and remain accessible introductions to Western history and culture. Public information about his detailed biography is limited, so it is not elaborated here.