Carroll Quigley: Life, Lectures and Collected Writings

by Carroll Quigley, Leo Hercouet (Contributor)

Professor Carroll Quigley was a top American historian and theorist on the evolution of civilizations. He believed that knowledge cannot be divided into parts, that the world can be viewed only as an interlocking, complex system. This view complemented his he had reveled in the traditions and contrasts of his neighborhood, eschewed fame in favor of keeping his emotional and social development on track. In an age characterized by violence, extraordinary personal alienation, and the disintegration of moral values, Quigley chose a life dedicated to rationality. He wanted an explanation that in its very categorization would give meaning to a history which was a record of constant change. Therefore the analysis had to include but not be limited to categories of subject areas of human activity. It had to describe change in categories expressed sequentially in time. It was a most ambitious effort to make history rationally understandable. On such views, in 1961 Quigley published The Evolution of Civilizations . Its scope was wide-ranging, covering the whole of man's activities throughout time. It attempted a categorization of man's activities in sequential fashion so as to provide a causal explanation of the stages of civilization. In 1966, Quigley published Tragedy and Hope , a work of exceptional scholarship depicting the history of the world between 1895 and 1965. It was a commanding work, 20 years in the writing, that added to Quigley's considerable national reputation as a historian. The book reflected Quigley's feeling that "Western civilization is going down the drain." That was the tragedy. When the book came out in 1966, Quigley thought the whole show could he salvaged; that was his hope. In the last 12 years of his life, from 1965 to 1977, Quigley taught, observed the American scene, and reflected on his basic values in life. He was simultaneously pessimistic and radically optimistic. Teaching was the core of his professional life and neither his craving to write nor his discouragement with student reaction of the early seventies diminished his commitment to the classroom. Unlike his underlying faith in the efficacy of teaching, Quigley found little basis for optimism about the future of American "We are living in a very dangerous age in which insatiably greedy men are prepared to sacrifice anybody's health and tranquility to satisfy their own insatiable greed for money and power." In the fields of economics we have great recognition for names likes Keynes or Friedman. Professor Quigley, though a top American historian, has escaped our attention. This book, which is a compilation of some of Quigley's writings and most important lectures, is an attempt to fill the void.

Genres: History, Biography

378 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2015

About the author

American historian and theorist of the evolution of civilizations.

Noted for his teaching work as a professor at Georgetown University, for his academic publications, and for his research on secret societies.

He was an instructor at Princeton and Harvard; a consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense, the House Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration; and the U.S. Navy.

Reviews

[Anton]

This is a good collection of communications from Quigley that span the majority of his career.

If you've already read his published work, this will give you a better sense of the man behind the ideas. If you haven't read his other work, this will provide both an overview on his broad outlook, including the life cycle of civilizations and the multifaceted issues with American society (circa 1970, though much is still relevant today), and insight into his erudition and unique synthesis of historical events. One of his core points of view was that American society was being undermined by the fact that two critical elements of sovereignty reside outside the federal government: the power to create credit and the corporation.

The most interesting parts are the three-part lecture series on Comparative National Cultures, the three-part Oscar Iden lecture series (which he delivered after retiring), and his letters describing issues with university education which contain criticism that is still relevant today.

The editing leaves something to be desired, with obvious duplications of text and syntax errors that should have been caught before going to the press.

[noblethumos]

Carroll Quigley’s Life, Lectures, and Collected Writings offers a comprehensive compilation of the renowned historian’s ideas, encapsulating his wide-ranging intellectual contributions to history, economics, sociology, and political science. Edited posthumously, this volume provides a deep dive into Quigley’s academic philosophy, his unique methodologies, and his critical insights into the dynamics of civilizations. Known for his seminal work Tragedy and Hope: A History of the World in Our Time, Quigley’s interdisciplinary approach and commitment to understanding the structures and processes shaping human history are further illuminated in this collection.


The book is divided into three primary sections: biographical reflections, transcripts of Quigley’s lectures, and selected essays. The biographical portion sheds light on Quigley’s intellectual evolution and personal motivations. His passion for historical inquiry, particularly his focus on macro-historical processes, is evident in these reflections, providing readers with a context for understanding his academic pursuits.


The lecture transcripts are the heart of the book, offering a window into Quigley’s teaching style and his ability to synthesize vast amounts of information into coherent narratives. In these lectures, Quigley reiterates his central themes, such as the cyclical rise and decline of civilizations, the role of institutions in societal development, and the mechanisms of economic and political power. Notably, his emphasis on “institutionalization” as a process through which societies both innovate and stagnate is explored in depth, showcasing his nuanced understanding of historical dynamics.


The essays included in the final section delve into specific topics, such as the relationship between military technology and social organization, the evolution of capitalism, and the influence of elite networks on global politics. Quigley’s interdisciplinary approach is particularly evident here, as he seamlessly integrates insights from history, sociology, and economics to construct holistic analyses. For example, his essay on “weapon systems and social structures” exemplifies his ability to connect technological innovation with broader societal transformations.


One of the strengths of Life, Lectures, and Collected Writings is its accessibility. Quigley’s clear prose and engaging style make complex ideas comprehensible to a broad audience, while his use of concrete examples lends immediacy and relevance to his arguments. Additionally, the editor’s inclusion of contextual notes and commentary enhances the reader’s understanding of Quigley’s intellectual milieu and the significance of his contributions.


However, the book is not without its limitations. The fragmented nature of a posthumous collection means that some sections lack the coherence and depth of Quigley’s major works. While the lectures and essays provide valuable insights, they occasionally repeat ideas found in Tragedy and Hope or The Evolution of Civilizations, making them feel redundant for readers already familiar with his oeuvre. Furthermore, Quigley’s ambitious scope can sometimes lead to overly deterministic conclusions, particularly in his discussions of elite influence on global affairs. Critics may find his theories provocative but insufficiently substantiated in some instances.


Overall, Life, Lectures, and Collected Writings is a valuable resource for students and scholars of history, sociology, and political science. It not only consolidates Quigley’s intellectual legacy but also serves as a testament to his interdisciplinary approach and commitment to understanding the complexities of human civilization. For those seeking to engage with Quigley’s work beyond his major publications, this collection provides a compelling and insightful entry point.

GPT