A Brief Retrospect of the Eighteenth Century

Miller’s A Brief Retrospect of the Eighteenth Century was one of the first attempts to give a comprehensive account of the intellectual history of American thought. Encompassing a wide range of topics, the 2-volume work traces in detail the developments in American science, art and literature, taking in comparisons with other traditions. The study includes a thorough review of the history of philosophy, with discussions of Hume, Berkeley, Newton, Kant, Descartes and Malebranche, among others. There are also interesting sections on American biblical scholarship, on the impact of Scottish moral philosophy on enlightened America, and critiques of Darwin and Priestley.‘His two volumes stand as an amazing effort at synthesis. He carries a discussion of language from questions of philology, classic and Oriental studies, to universal grammar. He treats the educational innovations in method and practice, gives an account of literary and scientific societies and publications, and includes discussions of "nations lately become literary", comparing the achievements of America with those of Russia and the Germanies. Richest in detail is his account of intellectual life in America: its colleges, booksellers, libraries, presses, and relative merits of New England and the Middle states.’ -- Flower & Murphey, A History of Philosophy in America--comprehensive account of arts, science and literature in America in the 18th century --includes comparisons with the traditions of Germany and Russia --features a new introduction by Roger Fechner