CLAVEL, Adolphe Charles. Les Races Humaines et leur part dan - Lot 215

CLAVEL, Adolphe Charles. Les Races Humaines et leur part dans la Civilisation, published in Paris by Poulet-Malassis and de Broise in 1860, one volume, large format, In-12, midnight blue half-basin with gilt spine. Smooth gilt ribbed spine. 431 pages. Rubbing, foxing. Good condition otherwise. First edition. According to the author in his preface: "My book is only an attempt to measure the genius of peoples and provide a point of support for history, whether it wishes to judge the past, appreciate the present, or predict the future. Historians cannot find the logic of facts by applying the same measure to ages and peoples. If they consider as anomalies and catastrophes certain acts that are in keeping with the genius of a foreign race, they cannot appreciate the law that presides over the greatness and decadence of nations. Their judgments would be different if they knew the natural relationship of blood to religion, science and morals. Many seemingly illogical facts would be explained".