Many books have been written about the success of the West, analyzing why Europe was able to pull ahead of the rest of the world by the end of the ...
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Jan 13, 2010
W. Bradford
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If I had come across this book in a vacuum, no doubt I would’ve thought it mediocre and occasionally annoying, but nothing to get worked up about. But, knowing as I did (from word of mouth and from the enthusiastic blurbs on the cover) that many in conservative evangelical circles loved this book, I spent the entire time I was reading vexed by the question “Why?” And unable to satisfactorily answer that question, I found myself in a very ill temper throughout. Now, because this book received
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Apr 12, 2008
Jason
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Professor Stark, a Baylor University social sciences professor, has written a book that should complement recent works by men like Jared Diamond or Victor Davis Hanson, in explaining why the West, and especially why particular forms of Christianity have led to unique successes for its adherents around the present world. Stark has written to especially critique ideas in the famous book, the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Instead he argues that Christianity in general has led to fo
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Nov 11, 2010
Patrick
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Given the title of this book, I expected an expert but narrowly-focused argument. Rodney Stark delivers far more than that. He may be the best researcher writing nonfiction today, and his prose is never dry or needlessly academic. The result is a gripping one-volume history of Christendom from an economic point of view. Stark addresses (and demolishes) the myths of the "Dark Ages," while also regaling the reader with tales about the Italian city-states, not to mention France, Spain, En
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May 02, 2008
Laurie
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When I took this book off the shelf in the Sociology section of the New York Public Library, I immediately wondered if this book would read like a college textbook. I will say that you should not attempt this book if you are feeling at all tired because it will only make your eyelids droop. However, when I was full of life, this book by Rodney Stark was very interesting. Stark basically defends the idea that Christianity lead to technological innovations and new ways of running society (capitali
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Aug 01, 2011
The thesis of the book is simple: Christianity encouraged the use of reason which lead the rise of freedom and capitalism. In this book Stark takes on the sort of post-enlightenment lore that Christianity led to the dark ages and reason did not spring forth until post-Renaissance and even later until the dawning of "enlightenment".
In fact, Stark shows the the "dark ages" were hardly dark. This is not a new thesis to historians of the middle ages, as a number of recent studies More...
In fact, Stark shows the the "dark ages" were hardly dark. This is not a new thesis to historians of the middle ages, as a number of recent studies More...
Jun 11, 2010
David
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Rodney Stark argues here, as he has in other places, that it was Christian faith that motivated the West to pursue capitalism. From this pursuit came western success. Stark argues that those who dissociate Christian faith from western achievements such as science and capitalism are rewriting history.
Stark argues in chapter one that Christian faith was unique in believing that progress was God-given. This allowed later theologians to reinterpret scripture when necessary. Therefore More...
Stark argues in chapter one that Christian faith was unique in believing that progress was God-given. This allowed later theologians to reinterpret scripture when necessary. Therefore More...
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Feb 19, 2010
Jerry
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Stark makes the case that medieval monks, during those slandered dark ages, birthed capitalism that would develop Western culture. He defines capitalism as "an economic system wherein privately owned, relatively well organized, and stable firms pursue complex commercial activities within a relatively free (unregulated) market, taking a systematic, long-term approach to investing an reinvesting wealth (directly or indirectly) in productive activities involving a hired workforce, and guided b
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Mar 13, 2011
Ron
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It is commonplace to think of Christianity and rationalism as opposite historical and philosophical forces. In this study, Stark demonstrates that elements within Christianity actually gave rise not only to visions of reason and progress but also to the evolution of capitalism."Rodney Stark may be the most influential religious researcher of the past hundred years. He has revolutionized contemporary thought about religion and economics, and in this book - his most provocative yet - he mak
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Aug 22, 2010
Douglas
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This is a book that intends to correct many historical inaccuracies about the Medieval Church and Western culture that have persistently over valued Protestant and Enlightenment foundations of modern science and capitalism - and undervalues the worldview provided by the Church to Western culture that has made it possible for learning to progress.
I have for a number of years wondered about the common assertion by us Protestants that it wasn't until the Reformation that intellectual, More...
I have for a number of years wondered about the common assertion by us Protestants that it wasn't until the Reformation that intellectual, More...
Aug 23, 2009
Douglas
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This is one of the most satisfying books I have read in a long time. It is one thing to reject, as I have for many years, the idea of the "Dark Ages," but Stark demonstrates just how "undark" they were. Leave it to secular thinkers to tag the most advanced human society to date as a period of blind superstition. And this book is potent evidence against those who want to represent free markets as an Enlightenment concept, one that Christians should leave behind. What we now ca
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Jun 25, 2009
Xox
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A piece of crap! Christians taking credit in history for things they had not done.
Gee... What shaemless say christianity is responsible for the good stuff while not even mentioning how many scientists and doctors christians had murdered for not believe in the christian bullshit. I had enough of bullshit from christian.
Don't read it if you don't already agreed with the writer, or you would get pissed off and wanted so much to throw this book against the wall.
Gee... What shaemless say christianity is responsible for the good stuff while not even mentioning how many scientists and doctors christians had murdered for not believe in the christian bullshit. I had enough of bullshit from christian.
Don't read it if you don't already agreed with the writer, or you would get pissed off and wanted so much to throw this book against the wall.
Dec 21, 2011
Robert
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I learned more about world history and the rise of the West by reading this book than in all of my history classes through high-school and college. The Victory of Reason opened my eyes to the development of capitalism in the West as an out-springing of monotheism and the belief that God wants man to use his reason. Stark dispels many myths about the "dark ages" and sheds some very practical light on the disparity between North and South America. He is able to present and support his
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Aug 04, 2011
Frank
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No, it was not guns, germs, steel, geography, or luck that made Europe the leader of the world in technology, in economy, or in power. It was Christianity, with its ideas of progress, of individual human worth, and of a rational God whose universe could be understood, which made Europe great.
An excellent book, partly because it is an excellent economic history. Why capitalism works, and why it was born in a Christian milieu. Why and how Science came from a Christian milieu, and More...
An excellent book, partly because it is an excellent economic history. Why capitalism works, and why it was born in a Christian milieu. Why and how Science came from a Christian milieu, and More...
Feb 13, 2010
Diana
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I was willing to read this book because Stark is not a theologian, nor is he Christian; he's a sociologist and therefore his perpsective is a little different. I am not religious but I do love history, the social sciences and I have a slight fascination with the origins of ritual behaviors.
The development of western civilization is so intertwined with religion it seems this book helps fills in some of the gaps where other history books end or fail to give a clear picture.
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The development of western civilization is so intertwined with religion it seems this book helps fills in some of the gaps where other history books end or fail to give a clear picture.
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Jun 08, 2011
Andrew
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Fantastic. On the whole, very, very good. This book is for anyone who has ever been told that Christianity has been bad for civilization/progress. My main beef with the book is how much regard Stark hold democracy in as far as establishing free societies. Biblical law establishes free society, not allowing people to choose their despots, I mean, rulers, but I digress. A book for anyone who wants to have an insight into the implications of Post-Millenial Christianity.
Feb 14, 2010
Ken
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Although he may be somewhat one-sided in his overall message it is nevertheless persuasive and revolutionary to the perspective on history that I grew up with. It is particularly relevant to my masters research on the role of knowledge in training medical professionals in a Central Asian country. A clearer understanding of history can never go amiss in sorting out our current situation and tensions.
Jan 27, 2011
Cole
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Stark takes an interesting perspective as to why the "West" has so unanimously successful during the rise of civilizations over the past thousand years. Historically one looks to the Renaissance and Enlightenment as the "turning point". Stark poses a new theory that names early Christianity as the spark during the "Dark Ages" that led and continued to influence the unparalleled rise.
Whether or not you agree with Stark's premise, his is a thought-provoking lens More...
Whether or not you agree with Stark's premise, his is a thought-provoking lens More...
Aug 23, 2011
Inert1
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I found the book immensely enjoyable, with interesting information in every paragraph. I find the cental thesis plausible, although the book seems to indicate more about liberty than Christianity. I believe that there is quite likely a causal relationship between the two, but Stark didn't seem to make much of an attempt to make the connection.
I had Professor Sark as for a sociology class 30 years ago as a college freshman. He was both amusing and informative, and it was funny to recognize his le More...
I had Professor Sark as for a sociology class 30 years ago as a college freshman. He was both amusing and informative, and it was funny to recognize his le More...
Oct 21, 2010
John
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This is a great book. Stark demonstrates that it is Christianity that established the West as the dominant cultural force in the world. He contrasts Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, and others early on in the book to show that it was Christianity alone that gave man a rational, ordered understanding of the world. Christianity is centered upon a God that acts in a logical, consistent manner, giving man reason to study and understand the world--to pursue scientific endeavor. This then led to
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Mar 02, 2009
Hayden
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very good read. recommend to anyone. lays an interesting case for the parallel rise of capitalism and christianity. alson interesting discussions on why science did or did not occur in a society. chiling ending.
Sep 24, 2010
Andy
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A fascinating thesis, well reasoned and documented. Great history, covering eras and items that are frequently neglected. Could barely put it down. And yes, he documents not just HOW but WHY and what about Christianity it is that leads to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western success. He shows that the Rationality and Reason that informs Christianity, as well as the belief in an ordered universe that makes sense and can be understood, the belief in equality before God, and many more fundamental tenet
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Apr 05, 2010
Lanny
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A better title would perhaps be "The Victory of Christianity." Overall, very good. A little bit too rationalistic.
Sep 16, 2009
Phillip
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Excellent treatment of the dark history of the Middle Ages. Not exciting reading, but a very important book.
Oct 05, 2011
Andrew
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A great read, though I have some reservations about Stark's analysis of Christian theology.
Oct 07, 2009
David
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A bit overdone, and some of the theology is not perfect, but the book is interesting.
Apr 24, 2011
Peter
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I started reading this book because of all the hype I've heard surrounding it. But I'm just not interested in economics or the rise of capitalism, so it wasn't the book for me. I gave up on it mid-way through.
I've really enjoyed some of Stark's other books, though. I'm eager to read "For the Glory of God" which is more likely to be up my alley.
I've really enjoyed some of Stark's other books, though. I'm eager to read "For the Glory of God" which is more likely to be up my alley.
Jul 24, 2009
Luis
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A very interesting history/analysis of the West's rise to power.
Update (7/24/09). I upgraded this book from 3 stars to 4 because I continually come back to this book's explanation of how the fall of Rome contributed to a rise in productivity through technological innovation precisely because of the resulting decentralization in power. People, no longer afraid of the government taking their profits, were able to reinvest them into their vocations.
Update (7/24/09). I upgraded this book from 3 stars to 4 because I continually come back to this book's explanation of how the fall of Rome contributed to a rise in productivity through technological innovation precisely because of the resulting decentralization in power. People, no longer afraid of the government taking their profits, were able to reinvest them into their vocations.
