A Study Of History (Twelve-Volume Set)
Condition: SECONDHAND
This is a secondhand book in very good condition. See our FAQs for more information. The jacket image is indicative only and a description of our secondhand books is not always available. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Author: Arnold Toynbee
Binding: Hardback
Published: Oxford University Press, 1951
Condition remarks:
Book: Acceptable
Jacket: Wear and tear
Pages: Aging or marking
Markings: Previous owner
Arnold J. Toynbee’s A Study of History is a vast, ambitious 12-volume work that seeks to explain the rise and fall of civilisations through a unifying, cyclical theory of cultural development. Originally conceived as a way to understand how societies emerge, mature, and eventually dissolve, the work spans a wide range of human experience by examining multiple civilizations across time and space. Volumes I (1951, 5th imp.) –II (1951, 5th imp.): The Geneses of Civilisations These opening volumes explore the origins of civilisations. Toynbee argues that civilisations are not the products of a favourable environment or exclusive racial traits, but rather the result of creative responses to various challenges. He shows how disparate human groups, when faced with overwhelming pressures—be they hostile natural conditions, military setbacks, or social injustices—are compelled to innovate, adapt, and eventually forge a coherent cultural response. Volume III (1951, 5th imp.): The Growths of Civilisations In this volume, Toynbee discusses the maturation process of societies. Civilisations, he contends, thrive not merely by expanding territorially or accumulating resources but by developing dynamic cultural, spiritual, and intellectual foundations. This phase is marked by the nurturing of creativity and the establishment of institutions that channel the collective energies of peoples into sustainable growth. Volume IV (1951, 5th imp.): The Breakdowns of Civilisations Toynbee turns his attention to the stresses that begin to undermine once-vibrant civilisations. Here, the emphasis is on internal disintegration: the failure of the creative elite to continually reinvent the society in the face of new challenges. As these innovators lose their inspiration and people stop following the inventive leadership, internal divisions and discontent emerge. Volumes V (1951, 5th imp.) and VI (1951, 5th imp.): The Disintegrations of Civilisations These volumes delve deeper into how and why civilisations ultimately collapse. Toynbee introduces the concept of a society splitting into distinct groups—a dominant minority, an internal proletariat that becomes disenchanted, and an external proletariat that resists assimilation. This disintegration reflects the breakdown of the social and cultural bonds that once unified the civilization, leaving behind a fragmented legacy. Volume VII (1954, 1st ed.): Universal States; Universal Churches As civilisations approach their end, Toynbee observes a tendency toward centralisation and the rise of universal institutions. Declining civilisations often attempt to consolidate power through the formation of large, centralised states or respond to existential crises by unifying under a universal religious framework. These moves are seen as efforts to recapture the lost creative energy and preserve the essence of the civilisation. Volume VIII (1954, 1st ed.): Heroic Ages; Contacts between Civilisations This volume shifts the focus to the interactions between societies. During so-called “heroic ages,” individuals and groups play outsized roles, and the meeting of different civilisations—through conflict or cultural exchange—can spark a renaissance of ideas, infusing new life into both the declining and emerging worlds. Volume IX (1954, 1st ed.): Contacts between Civilisations in Time (Renaissances); Law and Freedom in History; The Prospects of the Western Civilisation Toynbee examines how the interplay of historical experiences fosters periods of renewal and transformation. He discusses how past achievements are revived in renaissances, how legal and ideological frameworks evolve, and what these patterns might forecast for the future—especially regarding the trajectory of Western civilisation. Volume X (1954, 1st ed.): The Inspirations of Historians; A Note on Chronology This reflective volume considers the process of historical writing and the nature of historical time. Toynbee challenges conventional methods of chronology and narrative, urging historians to reframe their approach to the grand cycles of human endeavour. Volume XI (1959, 1st ed.): Historical Atlas and Gazetteer Serving as a reference work, this volume supplies the geographical and demographical context essential for understanding Toynbee’s analysis. Maps, charts, and descriptive entries help situate the discussed civilisations within clear spatial and temporal boundaries. Volume XII (1961, 1st ed.): Reconsiderations In his final volume, Toynbee revisits and reinterprets his earlier theses in light of emerging insights and critiques. This self-critical assessment aims to refine his model of civilisation’s lifecycle and to invite further scholarly debate on the nature of historical change.
Author: Arnold Toynbee
Binding: Hardback
Published: Oxford University Press, 1951
Condition remarks:
Book: Acceptable
Jacket: Wear and tear
Pages: Aging or marking
Markings: Previous owner
Arnold J. Toynbee’s A Study of History is a vast, ambitious 12-volume work that seeks to explain the rise and fall of civilisations through a unifying, cyclical theory of cultural development. Originally conceived as a way to understand how societies emerge, mature, and eventually dissolve, the work spans a wide range of human experience by examining multiple civilizations across time and space. Volumes I (1951, 5th imp.) –II (1951, 5th imp.): The Geneses of Civilisations These opening volumes explore the origins of civilisations. Toynbee argues that civilisations are not the products of a favourable environment or exclusive racial traits, but rather the result of creative responses to various challenges. He shows how disparate human groups, when faced with overwhelming pressures—be they hostile natural conditions, military setbacks, or social injustices—are compelled to innovate, adapt, and eventually forge a coherent cultural response. Volume III (1951, 5th imp.): The Growths of Civilisations In this volume, Toynbee discusses the maturation process of societies. Civilisations, he contends, thrive not merely by expanding territorially or accumulating resources but by developing dynamic cultural, spiritual, and intellectual foundations. This phase is marked by the nurturing of creativity and the establishment of institutions that channel the collective energies of peoples into sustainable growth. Volume IV (1951, 5th imp.): The Breakdowns of Civilisations Toynbee turns his attention to the stresses that begin to undermine once-vibrant civilisations. Here, the emphasis is on internal disintegration: the failure of the creative elite to continually reinvent the society in the face of new challenges. As these innovators lose their inspiration and people stop following the inventive leadership, internal divisions and discontent emerge. Volumes V (1951, 5th imp.) and VI (1951, 5th imp.): The Disintegrations of Civilisations These volumes delve deeper into how and why civilisations ultimately collapse. Toynbee introduces the concept of a society splitting into distinct groups—a dominant minority, an internal proletariat that becomes disenchanted, and an external proletariat that resists assimilation. This disintegration reflects the breakdown of the social and cultural bonds that once unified the civilization, leaving behind a fragmented legacy. Volume VII (1954, 1st ed.): Universal States; Universal Churches As civilisations approach their end, Toynbee observes a tendency toward centralisation and the rise of universal institutions. Declining civilisations often attempt to consolidate power through the formation of large, centralised states or respond to existential crises by unifying under a universal religious framework. These moves are seen as efforts to recapture the lost creative energy and preserve the essence of the civilisation. Volume VIII (1954, 1st ed.): Heroic Ages; Contacts between Civilisations This volume shifts the focus to the interactions between societies. During so-called “heroic ages,” individuals and groups play outsized roles, and the meeting of different civilisations—through conflict or cultural exchange—can spark a renaissance of ideas, infusing new life into both the declining and emerging worlds. Volume IX (1954, 1st ed.): Contacts between Civilisations in Time (Renaissances); Law and Freedom in History; The Prospects of the Western Civilisation Toynbee examines how the interplay of historical experiences fosters periods of renewal and transformation. He discusses how past achievements are revived in renaissances, how legal and ideological frameworks evolve, and what these patterns might forecast for the future—especially regarding the trajectory of Western civilisation. Volume X (1954, 1st ed.): The Inspirations of Historians; A Note on Chronology This reflective volume considers the process of historical writing and the nature of historical time. Toynbee challenges conventional methods of chronology and narrative, urging historians to reframe their approach to the grand cycles of human endeavour. Volume XI (1959, 1st ed.): Historical Atlas and Gazetteer Serving as a reference work, this volume supplies the geographical and demographical context essential for understanding Toynbee’s analysis. Maps, charts, and descriptive entries help situate the discussed civilisations within clear spatial and temporal boundaries. Volume XII (1961, 1st ed.): Reconsiderations In his final volume, Toynbee revisits and reinterprets his earlier theses in light of emerging insights and critiques. This self-critical assessment aims to refine his model of civilisation’s lifecycle and to invite further scholarly debate on the nature of historical change.