A book by an historian about an historian is unique in this series. However, the subÂject of this study is not limited to the category of historian: Toynbee is also a religious thinker, a political and social philosopher, even a poet, a man of ideas, and a prolific writer. His volumes range over a multitude of subjects, including world affairs, travel, and religious and moral problems, and have had a remarkÂable influence on scholars as well as genÂeral readers. At eighty-three Toynbee is still writing, and his opinions on events are eagerly sought by the news media.
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Yet despite the reams of praise and ocÂcasional denunciation that have been writÂten about Toynbee’s classification of civiÂlizations, his conclusions about the role of religion in human destiny, his use of myth and metaphor as tools, no attempt has been made until now to sum up his achievements in a full-length book. Hence, this balanced and objective study is long overdue.