The Story of Civilization: Our Oriental Heritage (Volume I) by Will Durant

Our Oriental Heritage is the first volume of The Story of Civilization, an eleven-volume set of books written by Will and Ariel Durant. Originally published in 1935 by Simon & Schuster, this monumental work remains a cornerstone of popular history, focusing on the history of Egypt and the Near East to the death of Alexander, and the history of India, China, and Japan to modern times. Although the first volumes were credited solely to Will Durant, Ariel Durant later received co-authorship recognition for the subsequent entries in the series.

The brand behind the publication, Simon & Schuster, was founded in New York City in 1924. Over the decades, ownership of the publishing house has shifted through several major media conglomerates. After a long period under the ownership of CBS/Viacom (later Paramount Global), the company was sold in 2023 to KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.), a leading global investment firm based in the United States. Today, the books are printed and distributed internationally, with production occurring in various countries depending on the regional market needs.