This volume is the autobiography of American writer, historian, and philosopher Will Durant (1885-1981), best known for his epic work "The Story of Civilization." Originally published in 1927, this work covers up to the time of his daughter's birth; it reveals a great deal about his character. Durant had a brilliant mind, but as an idealistic young man, he was also an agitator who had associations with people who were not merely counter-cultural, but anarchists. Durant himself never quite stepped over the line into anarchy, but he flirted with those who did until he realized how self-defeating such an approach is. Durant was always a self-admitted socialist, and he was critical of capitalism all his life. Nevertheless, he offered some deeply thought-provoking analysis of history that are quite relevant to the present day. This work shows us the man behind the thought, his human struggles, his loves, his mistakes and his regrets, and ultimately his growth in personal integrity. Readers learn how the revolutionary learned to use the power of historical insight to make the points that bombs and violence never could make.