The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

April 14, 2009

April 14, 1889

Arnold Joseph Toynbee, the author of the Study of History, a multi-volumed attempt to find patterns in history as if civilizations could be studied like a species, was born on April 14, 1889. His uncle was also a historian,named Arnold Toynbee, who wrote about the industrial revolution. Our Toynbee edited a selection of his uncle's writings, and one metaphor he included, to illustrate international politics was this:

"Twisting the lion's tail ceases to be rewarding if the lion shrinks to the size of a cat."

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