A STUDY OF HISTORY By Arnold J. Toynbee
Those who feel depressed, and justifiably depressed, by ,the acceptance of so . much that is worthless among hooks pub-
' lished today. should find some cause for reassurance in the success of this important work. That in less than a year the ' first three volumes of Professor Toynbee's remarkable study (Oxford Universit3.- PresS, 52s. 6d.) should have reached a second edition is a circumstance, that reflects the greatest credit on the reading public. For this is not just a large-scale illustration of some sprightly theory, but a study of history conceived on the heroic scale, which is. Philosophical without being academic, speculative without being capricious, ambk tious without being arrogant, and above all scholarly without being' dull. Mr. Toynbee's success can perhaps largely be explained by.the fact that his tremendous-intellectual gifts have been reinforced by the experience gained in direct, - personal contact; with political problems. The influence of his behik is bound to be great,htit-it could perform no more useful service than suggesting to .the rising generation of historians he benefits -of acquiring in this manner a realistic approach. Meanwhile, A Study of History must be read and re-read by everyone who does not wish to neglect the most important English histor:ell work published' for many years:.
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