TABULATION OF HISTORY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 87, 6 January 1940, Page 15

TABULATION OF HISTORY

“Historical Tables,” by S. H. Steinberg, with a foreword by G. P. Gooch (London: Macmillan). Probably the best tribute that can be paid to this notable compilation is contained in its foreword. Dr. Gooch writes: “History as Fronde used to say, is a child’s box of letetrs; you can spell with them any Word you will. The best preparation for the task is the recognition that it must be studied in all its length, in all its breadth, in all .its depth. Nothing else will give us the perspective and the insight we need.” As Dr. Gooch proceeds to point out, “Historical Tables” consists of a cofiiplete tabulation of history from. 58 B.C. to 1938, condensed to the barest essential bones and set out in chronological order according to dates. The tabulations are given various head ings. One set deals with Western Europe, another with Central Europe, a third with Eastern Europe, a fourth with ecclesiastical history, a fifth with constitutional and economic history, a sixth with cultural life, and so on. As the centuries pass and the world develops, fresh tabulations are introduced, so that? in its 250-odd quarto pages the tables are able to compass in extraordinarily complete fashion the entire range of the known events of history. Students and teachersalike will find the tables invaluable. They should be constantly in demand for reference and checking.