The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism with Other Writings on the Rise of the West
D**E
Was Marx right?
I am pleasantly pleased by the condition of this book, and even more so, at the level of readability. I expected a dense socological writing with dozens of suboridate clauses ( there are some, but easlily followed) and clusters of words driving me to the dictionary. I found Weber's book informative by reading in tandem from R.H. Tawney's "Religion and the rise of Capitalism." This review is from Weber's "The Protestand Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism with Other Writing on the Rise of the West." Translated by Stephen Kalberg, 4th.ed. The "Other Writings" also add to the understanding of Weber's thesis.One last comment: I found that reading Weber, Part I: The Problem, Part II Ethic of Ascetic Protestantism, and Protestant Sects in America--Western Rationalism and Tawney's "The Medieval Background & The Continental Reformers will give a rich in depth (for a layman) understanding of the profound difference in Catholic and Protestant social teaching. As an aside, I think one may find a better understanding of Pope Francis's teaching. If one is looking for a serious and scholarly work that is easily read, this will fit the bill.
D**Y
Four Stars
good condition. needed it for school. interesting book to read.
P**E
brilliant, amazing
see my other reviews....Weber is a God of social theory; brilliant, amazing, prolific. this book has a great selection of his work...a truly amazing academic and contributor to all branches of knowledge.
A**X
Five Stars
like a new good, very happy
C**G
Maybe Not the Best Translation but Very Good and Required Reading for All
I admonish all reviewers to note the longevity and relative proximity of Weber's thesis before commenting. While I have a copy of Kahlberg's translation, I must admit I have not read more than a smattering, having read the Talcott Parsons' and Andreski's partial translations, the former being the first and basis of my understanding. I have reviewed the book under this edition in full. What I find useful in this edition is all the supplementary commentary, the excellent intro, and the supplementary translations. Although some disagree with me, Weber understands the emergence of modern capitalist society, with all its warts, better than anyone else. He considered PESC a minor work, and compared with Society and Economy, indeed it would seem that way. Albeit, in all other matters pertaining to the subject of capitalism as a social form, the one in which we live, he was remarkably prescient.
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