OSWALD SPENGLER

by H. Stuart Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 10, 1952

Another excellent addition to Scribner's 20th Century Library, this is an interpretative study of the works of the man who, as the author states, more than any other, characterized the typical west-world cultural malaise- the dichotomy between the East and the West, in his Decline of the West. Fair and comprehensive, even though at times a bit telescopic in its attempt to survey the last century, Hughes analyzes pre- Spenglerian philosophical, historical and scientific thought trends such as those of Freud, Nietzsche Bergson, Sorel, then interprets The Decline itself, the resultant criticisms, the contemporaneous social movements in the early 20th century and so forth. Spengler's later works are discussed more briefly and all are subsequently viewed in the light of writers such as Toynbee who came after. With the amount of heated argument already precipitated over Spengler's hotbed of ideas, the out and out disapproval of his cyclical theories, of his state worship, Hughes' work is relatively unimpassioned, states facts for what they are- often interestingly. Good source material and a must in the continuance of this series.

Pub Date: March 10, 1952

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribner

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1952

Categories: NONFICTION