How the West Won

The Neglected Story of the Triumph of Modernity

By: Rodney Stark

Narrated by: Kevin Foley

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

Enlightening.

Enjoyed the balance administered to the secular narrative and its received orthodoxy. Let the debate between the competeing worldviews continue... I think Christ is best served and His program benefits... And His detractors appear guilty of the bigotry they so often try to incriminate others for.

Must Read

This book is absolutely amazing and fascinating on so many levels. It’s a must read!

best book ever.

Stark is one of the best at challenging the accepted status quo. He takes no prisoners in his history writing.

pulling back the curtain on hidden history.

Finally! A book that explains the "why" of Western superiority, power, freedom and modernity. Outstanding!

A needed assault on modern perceptions of history

Many have preconceived notions of how history unfolded and the West was (and is) a big, bad bully forcing our thoughts and beliefs on the smaller and poorer regions of the world. Rodney Stark turns this thinking on its head and would force even the staunchest of historical revisionists to question their beliefs about history.