Tragedy And Hope

nderstand it, economics remains a fairly boring topic to me. I do understand some of the basic principals of it but to indulge myself into a book which is purely economic theory and practice would cause me to put the book down and leave it on the shelf.
Fortunately this book does have some rewarding sections which save it from a sleeper, but if I were to rate it at this point (up to beginning of Chapter XIII) I would only give it a 3 star rating and if it were not for the author's superb grasp of economics and it's interplay on the events of world history I would give it an even lower rating of two stars.
I really do not fault the author for my low rating of this very important work. My ignorance is part of the problem. I am basing my rating on enjoyability and what I learn from it. I find myself struggling to stay awake on some pages that seem to go on and on regarding economic policy in pre-war Europe, and yet on some sections I can't put the book down when the author ties these policies into the politics and current events of the times.

February 4, 2015 - Still reading this tome...I am on the next to last chapter and can see some evidence of Quigley's pompous attitude towards third world countries and societies that do not adhere to the Western style of economics. He suggests that they undergo some pattern changes. Considering how this was written before the Environmental movement of the 1960's I would say he has failed to realize the inadequacies of such Westernization and he has also failed to recognize many of the positive attributes of pastoral and traditional cultures. Despite this oversights, I continue to find this book fascinating in that it has made me aware of many events and personalities in 20th century World History which I had know little or next to nothing about.
Finally finished reading this book. The section on the Middle Class was a real mind blower. Quigley is biased towards aristocracy and privilege and he certainly is prejudiced. I can't get over the section where he mentions girls have become so sexually loose that they even revert to dating "negro boys." His racial prejudice is really apparent towards the end. This book is 98% Tragedy and 2% Hope.
It was very good in some parts and yet very bland and even boring in others. Some sections I had to really struggle to get through, but I preserved and I am glad I did. Overall it was somewhat a disappointment. I was hoping to give it a four star rating but due to the sheer boredom of some parts and topped off with the racial and generational prejudices I have to give it a mediocre rating of three stars. If it weren't for the very informative sections where I really did learn something new (i.e. planning strategies of pre-WWI and role of Colonel House in the Wilson Administration as well as a few other areas of interest I would have given it a two star rating, which are books I manage to finish but have learned nothing and found nothing rewarding or useful to say about them. Fortunately this book did have some redeeming qualities.