How the West Won: The Neglected Story of the Triumph of Modernity
By Rodney Stark
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About this ebook
Modernity developed only in the West—in Europe and North America. Nowhere else did science and democracy arise; nowhere else was slavery outlawed. Only Westerners invented chimneys, musical scores, telescopes, eyeglasses, pianos, electric lights, aspirin, and soap.
The question is, Why?
Unfortunately, that question has become so politically incorrect that most scholars avoid it. But acclaimed author Rodney Stark provides the answers in this sweeping new look at Western civilization.
How the West Won demonstrates the primacy of uniquely Western ideas—among them the belief in free will, the commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, the notion that the universe functions according to rational rules that can be discovered, and the emphasis on human freedom and secure property rights.
Taking readers on a thrilling journey from ancient Greece to the present, Stark challenges much of the received wisdom about Western history. How the West Won shows, for example:
· Why the fall of Rome was the single most beneficial event in the rise of Western civilization
· Why the “Dark Ages” never happened
· Why the Crusades had nothing to do with grabbing loot or attacking the Muslim world unprovoked
· Why there was no “Scientific Revolution”
· Why scholars’ recent efforts to dismiss the importance of battles are ridiculous: had the Greeks lost at the Battle of Marathon, we probably would never have heard of Plato or Aristotle
Stark also debunks absurd fabrications that have flourished in the past few decades: that the Greeks stole their culture from Africa; that the West’s “discoveries” were copied from the Chinese and Muslims; that Europe became rich by plundering the non-Western world. At the same time, he reveals the woeful inadequacy of recent attempts to attribute the rise of the West to purely material causes—favorable climates, abundant natural resources, guns and steel.
How the West Won displays Rodney Stark’s gifts for lively narrative history and making the latest scholarship accessible to all readers. This bold, insightful book will force you to rethink your understanding of the West and the birth of modernity—and to recognize that Western civilization really has set itself apart from other cultures.
Rodney Stark
Rodney Stark is one of the leading authorities on the sociology of religion. Stark has authored more than 150 scholarly articles and 32 books in 17 different languages, including several widely used sociology textbooks and best-selling titles. William Sims Bainbridge earned his doctorate in sociology from Harvard University in 1975. Altogether he has published about 300 articles and written or edited 40 books in a variety of scientific fields.
Read more from Rodney Stark
God's Battalions: The Case for the Crusades Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cities of God: The Real Story of How Christianity Became an Urban Movement and Conquered Rome Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Triumph of Christianity: How the Jesus Movement Became the World's Largest Religion Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Discovering God: The Origins of the Great Religions and the Evolution of Belief Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Reformation Myths: Five Centuries Of Misconceptions And (Some) Misfortunes Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5How the West Won: The Neglected Story of the Triumph of Modernity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Acts of Faith: Explaining the Human Side of Religion Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5For the Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-Hunts, and the End of Slavery Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5American Piety: The Nature of Religious Commitment Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Triumph of Faith: Why the World Is More Religious than Ever Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5One True God: Historical Consequences of Monotheism Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The Rise of Mormonism Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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Reviews for How the West Won
32 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This 2014 book says very strongly its conclusions, with many of which I agree, but they are definitely controversial and he usually cites a single book for his assertion, with often no page in the book cited. For instance, he asserts the fall of the Roman empire was a good thing. that the "Dark Ages" were not so dark. that the Crusades were indeed inspired by religion, not aggressive intentions, that the Protestant Reformation was not inspired by a wish for tolerance (Luther and Calvin were not heralds for toleration), etc. I doubt that anyone who disagrees with his claims will be persuaded and one gets the idea he supposes anyone who reads his book will agree with him so he does not have to marshal the vidence for his assertions. In other words he seems to take it for granted that he is preaching to the choir.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent exposition of common sense reasons why the West has been so successful. It debunks many left leaning concepts of the evils of modernity.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5History as told by an abrasive, cranky old man, but interesting nonetheless.