Arnold joseph toynbee april 14, 1889 october 22, 1975, british historian whose twelvevolume analysis of the rise and fall of civilizations, a study of history, 1934 1961, also known as history of the world was very popular in its time. Toynbee began his study of history the same year the guardian come into office and he finished his final reconsiderations in 1961. Toynbees goal was to trace the development and decay of 19 world civilizations in the historical record, applying his model to each of these civilizations, detailing the stages through which they all pass. His basic ideas seem to have shifted radically during the thirtyodd years he spent producing the ten volumes, so that many discrepancies between the earliest and latest volumes may be found. Although there is a twovolume abridgement approved by toynbee that is much more popular than this complete series and a study of history, vol. Find a study of history by toynbee, arnold j at biblio. Toynbee, like spengler, undertook a comparative study of civilizations, thereby repudiating attempts to treat the past as if it exhibited a single linear progression. Before i knew anything about it, a number of inquiries had been reaching me, particularly from the united states, as to whether there was any likelihood of an abridgement of these volumes being published pending the timenow inevitably postponed far. Pages contain marginal notes, underlining, and or highlighting. No matter how wellread, painstaking and meticulous the professor was, any attempt to not only describe 23 civilizations, but. There is something majesterial about this work of erudition. Bought thinking id get one of the unabridged volumes in the set, but got an abridgment. Toynbee worked on this 12 volume study from the mid1920s to the late 1940s.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned quite a bit from one of the masters of history education. Abridgement of volumes viix, one must read the complete series in order to fully appreciate the magnitude of toynbee s work. Arnold joseph toynbee 18891975 was a british historian whose tenvolume a study of history was an extremely popular approach to historical writing. In this immensely detailed and complex work, toynbee traces the birth, growth and decay of some 21 to 23 major civilizations in the world. It won wide readership amongst the general public, especially in the united states, and after world war ii toynbee was. A study of history onevolume caplan abridgment by arnold toynbee, onevolume abridgement. Buy study of history vol 11 green by arnold j toynbee online at alibris. But his major work is without doubt his a study of history 19341961, his investigation into the growth and decay of civilizations, which took him 40 years of steady labor. When, however, we attempt to focus upon a book so vast and various as toynbees a study of history from any of these viewpoints, difficulties at once arise. Table of contents1 ideas2 biography3 major works of arnold toynbee3. The item arnold toynbee a study of history complete 12 volume hardcover set is in sale since tuesday, december 03, 20. Somervells abridgement, in two volumes, of this magnificent enterprise, preserves the method, atmosphere, texture, and, in many instances, the very. Nine volume iix hardcover, unabridged set arnold j. A study of history, unabridged volume viii eight 8.
Somervells abridgement, in two volumes, of this magnificent enterprise, preserves the method, atmosphere, texture, and, in many. Possible ex library copy, with all the markingsstickers of that library. Nine volume iix hardcover, unabridged set hardcover january 1, 1945 by arnold j. Acknowledged as one of the greatest achievements of modern scholarship, arnold toynbee s a study of history is a tenvolume analysis of the rise and fall of human civilizations. He was the nephew of economic historian arnold toynbee, with whom he is sometimes confused. From the outset, a study of history was a controversial work. Toynbee in the 19181950 period was a leading specialist on international affairs. Toynbee detects in the rise and fall of civilizations a recurring pattern, and it is the laws of history behind this pattern that he analyzes in a study of history. Toynbees analysis of the rise and fall of civilizations has.
A study of history is a 12volume universal history by the british historian arnold j. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. The first three volumes were released in 1933, the next three were released in 1939, and the last four volumes in 1954. His first marriage to rosalind murray, with whom he had three sons, ended in divorce in 1946. In this work toynbee examines all of recorded history and concludes that each civilization is subject to. This study guide consists of approximately 58 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of a study of history.
Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. I read the abridged version and the effect was similar to reading a students notes from a great lecture series. Somervells abridgement, in two volumes, of this magnificent enterprise, preserves the method, atmosphere, texture, and, in many instances, the very words of. Is it worth it to read the 12volume version of a study of history by. The books will be carefully packaged and tracking provided free of charge. Toynbee, a prolific author, was the nephew of a great economic historian, arnold toynbee, with. Both were long, complex cyclical surveys of civilization touched with the wand of prophecy and the air of superior knowledge. Civilization, philosophy, history, maps, historical geography. An odd volume of the first paperback printing of the second edition of toynbees monumental universal history. Toynbee frequently makes use of similes and analogies in which two apparently dissimilar things are compared. The abridgment was very heavy on the framework of toynbees theory, and didnt. Should i read the unabridged or abridged version of the history of the. A study of history arnold toynbee unabridged 12 volumes.
If someone wanted to be well read on the subject of the history of world civilizations what would. Other articles where a study of history is discussed. We have new and used copies available, in 1 editions starting at. You have to admire the sheer audacity and scale of the project. Although reading toynbee is a solid intellectual exercise, not unlike edward gibbon who served as his model, he comes closest to providing some perspective on history that seems to. Is it worth it to read the 12volume version of a study of history by arnold j. Historical atlas and gazetteer by arnold joseph toynbee. Which one is more effective to learn history, books or documentaries. Though both operated from contrary poles, it is interesting to note. A tenvolume analysis of the rise and fall of human civilizations, it is a work of breathtaking breadth and vision.
The british historian arnold joseph toynbee was born in london on 14 april 1889 and died on 22 october 1975 in york, north yorkshire, england. Accessories such as cd, codes, toys, and dust jackets may not be included. Arnold joseph toynbees featured books a study of history. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Somervells abridgement of this magnificent enterprise preserves the method, atmosphere, texture, and, in many instances, the very words of the original. What i am trying to do originally published in international affairs vol. A study of history by arnold joseph toynbee goodreads. Somervell explains in his own following prefatory note how he came to make this abridgement of the first six volumes of my book. How the book took shape a pamphlet written upon completion of the final volumes of a study of history and a comment written in response to the articles by edward fiess and pieter geyl. Every once in a while i get some time to dip into these volumes, or some commentary on them.
The first volume was published in london in 1934, and subsequent volumes appeared periodically until. Abridgement of vols ivi new ed by toynbee, arnold j. Old friends it was forty years ago, in 1964, that i bought ten of the thirteen volumes of toynbees a study of history. A study of history, abridgement of vols 16 by arnold. Arnold toynbees multivolume a study of history is one of the major works of historical scholarship published in the twentieth century. Spengler and toynbee are the two most famous modern historians. A study of history is the 12volume magnum opus of british historian arnold j. This book is an abridged version of his complete works of a study of history. What the decline of the west meant to readers after the first world war, a study of history meant to a later generation after the second. Arnold toynbees a study of history has been acknowledged as one of the greatest achievements of modern scholarship. Toynbee write in a similar manner to me, so i find his works easy to read. Change and habit by arnold joseph toynbee mans concern with death by arnold joseph toynbee a study of history, vol 7.
Abridgement of volumes 1 to 6, abridgement of volumes 7. Toynbee a study of history is undoubtedly the most widely known work of contemporary historical scholarship. His interest has been to gather together the recorded evidence of all the civilizations, of which he forms his study of the 20 plus civilations that he is able to identify. Study of history vol 11 green by arnold j toynbee alibris. In the united states alonein which country the work has made its widest appealmore than seven thousand sets. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. Is it worth it to read the 12volume version of a study of.
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