How the West Won: The Neglected Story of the Triumph of Modernity
Written by Rodney Stark
Narrated by Kevin Foley
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
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. How the West Won displays Stark's gifts for lively narrative history and making the latest scholarship accessible to all. 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 Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences and Co-Director of the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University, Texas. He is also Honorary Professor of Sociology at Peking University in Beijing, China. His bestselling book, The Rise of Christianity, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and three of his other books have received prestigious book awards.
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Reviews for How the West Won
66 ratings7 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a must-read, with clear and persuasive arguments. It is praised for being eye-opening, comprehensive, and logical. Many reviewers highly recommend it to others. However, some reviewers note that it is a compilation of the author's previous works and suggest seeking more in-depth arguments elsewhere. While the book presents historical truths, it is criticized for twisting facts to fit the author's agenda. Overall, this title offers interesting facts and lines of thought, making it a valuable read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Other reviewers fail to recognize that this is a compilation of many of Starks other books which dive more deeply into the different parts represented here. This is a broad overview and go elsewhere for more in depth argumentation.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A must read. Clear, bold and persuasive. This may be Stark 's best book.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What made this book so great? Well, it was eye opening to say the least. I have never heard such a comprehensive and logical argument made toward the given subject. I think it was a very good read and I will highly recommend it to my friends and family.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing! A must read, great antidote to lots of the foolishness being put forth by people in academia and media these days. So many interesting facts and lines of thought. I wish there were more of everything!
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Thi Is a very conservative book! According to the author the roman period was a regress ,there was no dark ages , Christianity was a progressive force, the wipe out of indigenous population was not all bad etc.
It managed to present some historical truth but then he twist the matter to fit hi agenda. The worst part is when it gets to the science it says "the science cannot explain the existence of God so science cannot explain everything"! what??? - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5History as told by an abrasive, cranky old man, but interesting nonetheless.
- 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.