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How the West Won

The Neglected Story of the Triumph of Modernity

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How the West Won

By: Rodney Stark
Narrated by: Kevin Foley
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About this listen

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. 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.

©2014 Rodney Stark (P)2014 Tantor Civilisation World Middle Ages Ancient History Imperialism Africa Latin America Middle East Socialism Capitalism Crusade
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Let Rodney Stark challenge your preconceived an under informed notions! This is a great overview of the development of Western Society that challenges and dispels many myths and propagandist caricatures.

Insightful, pursuasive fact based history

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Much of this topic has been covered in other books but it is good to review. I found this book rather slow going and obsessed with dates. Still, I learnt a free things which is what I want out of a book and found it at least entertaining enough at 1.5x speed.

Slow going but informative

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A wide ranging argument that definitely picks favourites, but deserves to be heard. The reader has a terrible voice, but get past this and you'll discover some fascinating points- Stark is a great promoter of the key role of the Catholic church in bringing about the rise of science and the modern world.

Challenges everything!

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excellent read, you will learn a lot. 4.9 stars, not perfect because the author had a slight pro Christian bias but even then I felt he did a good job at being fair

really good

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