Great Quotations that Shaped the Western World
by Carl H. Middleton

"To destroy the Western tradition of independent thought, it is not necessary to burn the books," said Robert Hutchins. "All we have to do is leave them unread for a couple of generations." In Great Quotations that Shaped the Western World, Carl Middleton provides a useful guide to the Western tradition and a gateway to its great books and thoughts.

There are several books of quotations on the market, but this latest offering is distinguished by its focus on the Western tradition, its more readable size, and the perspective of the compiler, a conservative businessman. Carl H. Middleton worked on the book with his three sons in mind, hoping that the reference would acquaint them and other seekers with wise words from Ancient Greece up to the present day.

The first section of the book is chronological, and the second section is topical. Concise descriptions introduce each set of quotations. Middleton also summarizes important terms and events under entries such as "Congress of Vienna" and "Feminism."

Middleton includes quotations from across the political spectrum, but the high value he places on liberty, democracy, and capitalism differentiates this anthology from others. The editor of Bartlett’s 16th edition, for example, selected dozens of quotations from John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt but only three from Ronald Reagan, explaining, "I’m not going to disguise the fact that I despise Ronald Reagan."

This liberal bent deprives readers of some other anthologies of many great quotes of interest to conservatives—such as this one, from Reagan’s first inaugural address 28 years ago: "In this [economic] crisis, government is not the solution, it’s the problem." Or this, from Robert Bork: "The judge’s authority derives entirely from the fact that he is applying the law and not his personal values."

Middleton intends the book not for academics, but for a broad audience, especially for students from high school to graduate school. The browser-friendly format makes the book a wonderful way to broaden cultural literacy in the western tradition, and the format and several indices make the 8,000 quotations surprisingly accessible. This treasury of great thoughts and wise words will improve users’ writing and add to their knowledge. "But beware of using it on deadline," warns journalist Suzanne Fields—"you can get lost in it for hours!"

(Paragon House, 2008, 784 pps., $29.95)