United Kingdom Books

This book is very informative, citing now out-of-print primary sources and containing many colour and black and white photos of paintings and artifacts. It is alphabetically organized, also, and in a durable hardcover format. The author is obvoiusly well qualified. Highly recommended book.

Many years ago, I became a Nelson fan after reading an historical account of the Battle of Aboukir Bay. I was simply impressed by such an overwhelming victory by this master tactician of naval warfare. Now, as we approach the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar, it is only natural to suppose we shall be inundated with anything and everything "Nelsonian." If, however, they are all of the standard set by Colin White - we are in for a real treat.

Colin White is widely acknowledged as a leading expert on Nelson. He is the former Deputy Director of the Royal Naval Museum and is now Director of "Trafalgar 200" at the National Maritime Museum. In short, his credentials are impressive by any standards.

The Nelson Encyclopaedia is a hardback book measuring just over 10in x 8in containing 288 pages packed with solid information in an easy-to-follow format and all written by a man who knows his subject. As the words below the title on the front cover suggest, this is an encyclopaedia of all those facts and figures relating to the People, Places, Battles, Ships, Myths, Mistresses, Memorials & Memorabilia that were Nelson. This is, therefore, an ultimate reference source and probably the best possible place to start for those with little or no knowledge of the greatest naval genius of all time. At the same time, this is the also the book to answer those niggling little questions which trouble always the experts.

This is a work of reference will which stand the test of time. It is a scholarly work, an excellent read, well illustrated throughout and contains plenty of new material. It is very fitting that the Publisher's should be called "Chatham" and I congratulate them on a job well done.

NM

This is the best book I've read about Nelson in a long time (and I've read quite a few!). Colin White has unearthed a load of new material and has put it together in an accessible and readable form.

There is a first-rate introductory essay sketching out Nelson's life and career and showing how all the new material changes our view of the little admiral. Then there is a series of brilliant short essays on all aspects of his life - his battles, his ships, his women, and so on and so on.

Its one of those books its hard to put down. Each short essay has a "See also" section at the end of it and so you find yourself flipping happily through the book following a fascinating "trail".

Some great illustrations, many of which I'd never seen before and some excellent battle plans, again based on all the latest research. The book looks good too and feels good in your hands

This is not a traditional biography, but don't let that put you off. I guarantee you'll get a huge amount of enjoyment out of it and come away feeling that you have been listening to a man who really understands Nelson.

Colin White works hard so we don't have to. He has saved us having to dig through countless book to find information on persons, events and places that feature prominently, or even incidentally, in Lord Nelson's colourful life. This book will be an invaluable aid to everyone interested in Nelson, the Royal Navy, and the Napoleonic Wars.
Also highly recommended:

Joel Hayward's "For God and Glory: Lord Nelson and His Way of War"

Evan Thomas's "John Paul Jones : Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy"

Tom Pocock's "Horatio Nelson"

The reader of this book will learn a lot about the British (and, before that, the English) monarchy, from the dark ages to today. Each monarch and dynasty are treated objectively and respect, trying to stay as close to their own time as possible and without dogmatic judgements. Hence the "villans" of the Monarchy (Richard III, Henry VIII, George IV) are shown to have a more positive side than one usually gives them credit for, while the "saints" (Henry V, Richard the Lion-Hearted, etc.) are shown to have their dark side as well.

But the book isn't revisionist for the sake of being revisionist--it does acknowledge that, in the final accounting, history's judgement of the good or bad monarchs seems rather justified (e.g., while George IV did promote the arts, he was a debt-ridden bankrupt who treated his wife abominably). Furthermore, it doesn't judge the monarchs by our standards--by how "multicultural" or "feminist" or "anti-colonialist" they were, for instance. It correctly sees such judgement as distorting--as distorting as the Victorians' tendency to judge the past monarchs by *their* standard (e.g., which monarch won the most battles or gained the most colonies.) It does its best to assess the facts objectively--taking account of both the prejudices of the monarch's time and of our own.

Take, as a typical example from the book, the case of George III. Having been unfortunate enough to preside over Britian's loss of the American colonies, as well as suffer from insanity in his old age, he was ridiculed by many contemporaries (especially American contemporaries) as a "tyrant", and "psychonalayzed" by our own generation--"proving" his insanity was (you guessed it) due to repressed sexual urges. While certainly not denying George III's tough position about the American policy, or his bouts of insanity, the authors note that, once the war was over, he told Adams that "nobody wanted this seperation less than me", but that, the seperation having been made, he would do his best for Britian and the new USA to be good friends. They also acknowlege his bouts of insanity and describe his bizzare personal and public behavior during it, but also note that it came (mostly) at the end of his days--after he was a loving, devoted family man and a very reasonable king for over 40 years. His insanity was viewed by contemporaries not with contempt, but with pity.

The book's prose is clear, accessible, but--on the other hand--doesn't oversimplify when complexity and exactitute are called for (such as, for instance, when untangling the various claims to the throne that led to dynasty changes). Furthermore, numerous illusrations being the period talked about to life. Finally, the paper quality is superb, and the index is excellent.

The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy is a uniquely complete book. This is a book very worthy of Oxford, consisting primarily of chapters on royal and political history generally, interspersed throughout with boxed essays on each monarch, special topics, maps, photographs and paintings.

This book begins with the murky beginnings of royalty in Britain, arising out of the chaos of the post-Roman world. Here we encounter names such as Aethelberht, Raewald, and Hywel Dda -- this book doesn't just concentrate as so many do on the English monarchies, but also on Welsh and Scottish clans, lines, and kingdoms. Here we find that King Eric Bloodaxe, the Viking King of York was followed not too many years later by Edgar the Peacable, king of Mercia and the Danelaw.

With the inclusion of this extensive pre-Norman section, the book is a must for any British history library. Apart from that, the history is fairly basic -- well written, interesting, but no grand and new insights, more of an encyclopedia writ as an essay rather than articles on particular subjects (for which I am grateful--nothing so disjointed and unsatisfying in many ways as reading an encyclopedia). This however can make looking up topics a bit more difficult, but I've found as I've sought out one piece of information (using the very good index) I find much more (which is always to be desired).

The final sections include chapters on Royal Residences and Tombs, Genealogies, and Lists of Monarchs, including Scottish as well as English monarchs.

This book is filled with little bits of interest--for instance, an example of 17th century propaganda: 'In the absence of newspapers, radio, and television, other means of representing events and influencing opinion assumed greater importance. A pack of cards took as its unconvivial theme Monmouth's rebellion in 1685. The six of clubs shows Monmouth's entry into Lyme Regis; the seven of spades shows the duke's fate; and the five of diamonds that of his followers.' This caption accompanies pictures of playing cards with scenes of hanged or beheaded men, etc. An interesting means of information dissemination.

A very worthy book, perhaps the only royal book a non-historian would ever need; a definite need for any historian or royal watcher.

This book is a must for those readers interested in the history of the British Monarchy. The authors and editors have masterly created both an historical perspective of the institution as well as a personal viewpoint which is both critical and sentimental. Some may be turned off by the length of this book, but once you begin reading, you'll wonder where the time goes. And the wonderful photographs and illustrations bring their words to life.

The history of Great Britain since the 5th century is largely the history of its sovereigns, and vice versa, and this fat volume is a success on both scores. Beginning with the early Celtic kings who brought some form of organization to early British (and Welsh and Irish) society, Cannon escorts the reader through the island's history, reign by reign, from Rædwald of the East Angles to Elizabeth II, tracing the waxing and waning of the monarch's personal power, noting royal marriages and interments, wars and treaties, glorious victories and humiliating failures. A great deal of the personal is included along with the politics, as when the young Edward VI coolly notes the execution in 1552 of his uncle, the Duke of Somerset, and the exasperated Queen Anne's attempts in 1703 to reason with her Whig ministers. The numerous illustrations, many in color, add to the flavor of the narrative as well as the reader's understanding. This book may be the only general history of the British monarchy that any student would ever need.

This is just a real though provoking book. If it's light reading you want, stick with the comics in the newpapers. If you want a book that that will make you think and learn - then this is a great choice. Also, the CreateSpace edition is physically attactive both inside and out, with an easy to read, clear typestyle and layout.
A classic.

A review of Carlyle's Past and Present written in Carlylese (he's much better at it than I am...)

This book could change the whole Western world, if only men would read it, and believe it! -We could have several Utopias springing up in North American and throughout Europe within the space of five years! So here you are. In this work, Carlyle criticizes the social, economic, and political arrangements in England of the 1840s. I will not bother to explain what those arrangements were; I will only say that his criticism is as relevant to us now as it was to the people of his own time. My friends, very simply put, then as now, we have 'parted company with the eternal inner Facts of this Universe, and followed the outer transient Appearances thereof...[we] have forgotten the right Inner True, and taken up with the Outer Sham-true.' Yes Carlyle's English is a bit strange, but try not to be distracted by outer appearances, that is his point! In many aspects of our Western life, we have forgotten what is true and at the heart of the matter, and taken up with superficial nonsense.

Let's begin with economics. In Carlyle's day, the Industrialists were trying their damnedest to figure out a way to make the production of cotton cheaper. This is a sham! Instead, figure out a way, with all your cotton cloth, to 'cover all the backs of England.' How like our present day Global Economists, wracking their brains trying to get the poor fools of the Third World to buy our products. Why don't they stop a moment and see if everyone at home is yet sufficiently provided for. Do your own fellow citizens need what you are producing, or have they enough of it, need they some other product which it is in your power to produce? And what is this of Advertising? Carlyle remembers a hat-maker who built a seven-foot hat of wood and plaster; wheeled it about the streets of London to attract customers to his shop. Does this improve the quality or utility of your hats, man, or does it only fool people into thinking that you have done honest work? I begin to think that more money is made in Advertising in these times of ours than in any other enterprise. What are our cities but places to tack up Billboards, to display Clothes in shop windows, to produce commercials for television, all to fool people into buying rubbish they don't need. Don't Advertise, Just Work!

Religion? Why all the silly ceremonies, the controversies, feuding between different sects. Do we need absurd ceremonies and idolatrous rituals to believe in a Divine Power? True Religion is 'Moral Conscience, Inner Light' 'All Religion [is] here to remind us, better or worse, of what we already know, better or worse, of the quite infinite difference between a Good man, and a Bad, to bid us love infinitely the one, abhor infinitely the other, to strive infinitely to be the one, and not the other.' A Religious man is he who makes his whole life an appeal to Heaven, to Divine Justice, to Goodness, and who cannot be happy if he do not always choose the right thing for his family, his country, his God and himself.

Politics? Why do we continue to elect Bill Slicktons and Tony Blears, vicious Garry Condits and brainless Bushes, when these rotten Governors have in their own souls nothing to govern by. They are play-actors, nothing more, and very poor ones at that. Behind the smile, the make-up, the $400 hair-cut lies only one thing: 'impudent dishonesty--brazen insensibility to lying and to making others lie' Look into the souls of such men and what will you see: 'a general grey twilight, looming with shapes of expediencies, parliamentary traditions, division lists [like opinion polls], election-funds, leading articles...' The true leader, on the other hand, is a hero: he wants none of our material rewards, fears none of our punishments, believes that there is such a thing as eternal justice, will stop at nothing until he has made life better, happier, more fruitful for his fellow citizens. How do we elect such a man, instead of another politician, that is, another professional liar, wood and plaster dummy? We as voters must cease to vote wrong! How is that to be accomplished? Well that is not so easily done. We must all awaken from this state of enchantment, says Carlyle, must begin to learn to distinguish just and unjust, admirable and despicable in our fellow men, and in ourselves. READ THE BOOK!!!

This is for sure a great book, if you have the ability to concentrate for more than five minutes, unlike the majority of the Herd, in mean people, of today. If your intrest lies in the substance of this book, read some other review, I'm only going to tell you that, the (1909) publication, stinks; the so called book, is more like a oversized magizine, and the print is about the size of a footnote in the bible.

Widely known is the lucid and acid historic sense of Thomas Carlyle. This is what you will find in this book. More accessible than the monumental 'Sartor Resartus', but at the same high level. I strongly recomend that book as a way to enter into the vivid world of Carlyle.

I have found this an amazing tool for tracing my ancestors. I found the County Parish maps pre-1832 a great help. This is a definate must for Genealogy buffs.

Contrary to the availablity information provided here, this book is not out of print.

It is an absolute MUST HAVE if you're doing UK genealogical research! It provides maps to the parish boundaries for each of the counties of England,Wales and now Scotland. Each county map showing parish boundaries for England and Wales is placed next to a historical map for that same county. This provides an excellent opportunity to locate parishes in a historical context.

The real gem of this book is the information on the location of parish records. For each parish, the extant dates of the records available for that parish are given as well as the location of where those records may be consulted.

An outstanding reference work for UK genealogy.

This book is well worth the price. I started using an older version at a local library, but really needed something for home use. So I ordered the 2003 version and am completely delighted. The newer version added an overall map of the UK at the beginning and has added Scotland. Each map is "pre-1832 parishes and a topographical map from James Bell's A New and Comprehensive Gazetteer of England and Wales of 1834". And for someone doing a lot of work in Yorkshire, they have it divided into the 3 regions, East Riding, West Riding and North Riding. The only thing I would like the next version to include is an index of every little town and village and what parish it is in. Probably would double the price and thickness of the book, but what a treasure that would be.

This book is a compendium of information about parish registersin England -- a vital resource if you are doing genealogical researchin the UK.

'The disease of selfishness, indeed, assumes different forms in the different classes of society. In the great and wealthy, it displays itself in luxury, in pomp and parade, and in all the frivolities of a sickly and depraved imagination, which seeks in vain its own gratification, and is dead to the generous and energetic pursuits of an enlarged heart.' pg 224

'In the lower orders, when not motionless under weight of a superimcumbent despotism, it manifests itself in pride, and its natural offspring, insubordination, in all its modes. But tho the external effects may vary, the internal principle is the same - a disposition in each individual to make self the grand center and end of his desires and enjoyments; to over-rate his own merit and importance; a disposition to under-value the advantages, and overstate the disadvantages, of his condition of life.' pg 224

'Now everyone who competes, exercises self-control in everything.' 1 Cor 9:25
'Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control.' 1 Cor 7:5
'Now the fruit of the Spirit is ... self-control.' Gal 5:22

Even though I am not at all a fundamentalist and usually stay clear of books that take a more "evangelical" stance, at the advice of a friend I decided to read this book, and I am glad that I did. Wilberforce obviously spent a great deal of time deciding what to say, and in finding examples to support his arguments, which are from biblical, literary and real-life sources. One of the most refreshing things about his style is that (unlike other Christian authors I have read) he does not feel the need to "talk down" to the reader or condemn them for not instantly believing something when they have been given no proof of its validity or even logic. He appeals to an educated audience and methodically covers a variety of topics that (hence the title) have many applications to real life. Most of the things that he argues make perfect sense and cause the reader to wonder how it is that they hadn't thought of it before. I also appreciate his passion- once can tell in many parts how strong his belief was, and it's easy to see how he could have been such an eloquent orator. The only thing that I disagreed with was his condemnation of plays and the opera, but this is probably because I am myself in training to be a professional musician.

In sum, I would say that this is an excellent book, and a good choice for the Christian that is tired of the lack of erudition and reason in modern devotional literature.

"I must confess equally boldly that my own solid hopes for the well-being of my country depend, not so much on her navies and armies, nor on the wisdom of her rulers, nor on the spirit of her people, as on the persuasion that she still contains many who love and obey the Gospel of Christ. I believe that their prayers may yet prevail."

I am grateful this this book was republished. After seeing Amazing Grace, overcome with a desire to know more about Wilberforce. Piper's "Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce" was a slim introduction, and (Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slaverybut needed to see how Wilberforce himself thought.

W. strategy is revival, his tactic is to critique superficial Christianity. This is the watered-down state of mind usually associated with mere religion, mere social comportment, or mere morality. W avers that Christianity is something deeper, but usually "confound the Gospel of Christ with systems of philosophers." (6) W's voice rhymes with Peter Kreeft comment that we reduce religion to ethics, ethics to social ethics, and social ethics to socialism (C.S. Lewis for the Third Millennium : Six Essays on the Abolition of Man)

The correct title is "A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious Systems of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country Contrasted with Real Christianity." The non-Christian should not this well: The Trade Secret of Christianity is that the current systems, churches, and denominations do not embrace or practice what Jesus Christ taught. The Great Schism, the Reformation, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, and the Puritan Movement all tacitly rest upon the idea that what we are doing now is not what He did back then. There are only two disagreements--what is the correct version of Christianity, and then, how do we fix the problem.

In this light, A Practical View of Christianity should be read in harmony with Thomas Paine's The Age of Reason - Thomas Paine. Wilberforce advocated personal revival, while Paine thought the whole superstructure should be junked. Wither way, their clashing viewpoints are what makes history (and formulating our own personal philosophies) so much fun.

As Chuck Colson noted, Wilberforce's book help start the Second Great Awaking (xv) So in addition to Paine, this book should also be read in the context of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Instead of revival and reformation, Joseph Smith's mission was one of restoration Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling.

The motive behind the book is W's personal mission to end slavery. The theo-loigc is simple: If a person who really understand Christ and His Atoning Sacrifice, then slavery solves itself. This in interesting political and social strategy: Before we shake up the world, we shake up ourselves, and shake ourselves out of our complacent slumber.

Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson phrased it this way:

"The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature."

But there is something unspoken. You see a bunch of rich, white guys who have no personal interest outside of Christina benevolence, who, at great personal professional and political cost, waste and wore out their lives to end slavery. You never hear this side of abolition told:

* Setting the Record Straight: American History in Black & White
* Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson
* Hating Whitey and Other Progressive Causes
* Black Rednecks and White Liberals

This book's only flaw is that it partakes of the 19th Century verbosity. As I read page after page of prolixity, I kept reciting Strunk and White's Incantation:

"Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell."The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

This book is a forgotten classic, both in politics and Christianity. Thankfully we can both bridge the gap and stand in the gap by following W's ideals.

"A Practical view of Christianity."
This is a book to be treasured and esteemed highly. It is written in a way which catures your attention and give rise to many challenging thoughts. It is the book which changed the course of history 200 years ago and save the downfall of the British Empire. Another remarkable feature of this 200 year old book, is that it is so applicable for the world today, and has a message for every one personally.
Read it thoughtfully and you will be challenged and inspired.
Treasure this book and reread it often.

I have both paper doll books (Princess Diana and Prince Charles Fashion Paper Dolls in Full Color; and Diana, Princess of Wales, Paper Doll: The Charity Auction Dresses [Paper Doll Series]) by Tom Tierney. I love his artistry and his attention to detail. I got the Charity Auction paper doll book as a gift and searched for more finding the first paper doll book that also included Prince Charles. I added both books to my scrapbook on Diana - I still love looking at these pages. They are both excellent as are all the paper doll books he produces. I also have books by Tom Tierney on Pope John Paul II, Jackie Kennedy Onasis, and one with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. I would encourage anyone interested in collecting, using the books for school reports, or finding your favorite subject in paper dolls, to look for this artist. He does excellent work.

This is one of the most beautiful sets of paper dolls I have, well drawn with great attention to detail and short historical notes on each dress inside the back cover. There are a lot of costumes in this book, about thirty, and two beautiful dolls. It covers fashion from 1890 to 1919, with dresses from great designers like Worth and Paquin. Tom Tierney's paper dolls are wonderful, and this is one of his best.

Anyone who loves fashion history will enjoy this book. The illustrations are evocative of the lives of fashionable women 100 years ago.
I especially liked the dolls themselves, clad in faithful depictions of the underwear of the era.
The selection of costumes is superb. It is clear to see the development of women's dress from 1899 until 1919, from heavily corseted hourglass figures laden with ruffles, lace and embroidery, to the fantasies of the early teens and finally the simplification of dress leading up to the 1920-s.

This is a wonderful paper doll book. Book gives a bit of history regarding the dresses in the book. Illustrations are excellent.

After checking this book out of the library multiple times, I decided to buy it because of the balanced overview of the Queen and her England. Many biographies of Queen Elizabeth I are riddled with the author's personal prejudice for or against the Queen and this one does not. I enjoy the photos as do students in the workshops I teach.

The Public and Private Worlds of Elizabeth I is a nicely written look into her personal and private life. It is very informational; from the workings of Elizabethan politics to the fashion of the time. It is informative with out getting overly academic. It is great for anyone wishing to research and/or recreate aspects of that time period. I encourage anyone who is intererested in Elizabeth I to purchase this book. One of the greatest features of this book is the full color pictures. Definitely a must have!!! A wonderful coffee table book too.

This work has a wealth of information about Elizabeth I and
the era itself. She is portrayed as an elegant monarch, dressed
in silk and other fine clothing. A portrait of Elizabeth
depicts her stately appearance as a Tudor. Elizabeth liked to
stroll in the area of the Great Hall at Hatfield. A personal
astrolobe is depicted-a fine personal item created circa 1560.
Her coronation was a stately affair depicted in a personal
portrait considered to be priceless today. This work is perfect for historians and others interested in the period of Elizabeth. The full color portraits are valuable
in their own right.

Excellent, excellent book for anyone who is interested in Quenn Elizabeth I or the Elizabethan era. Interesting little tidbits of knowledge about court life, politics and Elizabeth's private life. The pictures are absolutely beautiful and go along so well with the the written text. Definate A+!

A great book about the Queen. Lots of information, but not too over the top with details and hard-to-understand writing.

Three years ago, I added this book to my too-large collection of books about the Royal Family. I started re-reading it this week when looking up something about her disinterest in clothes while reading the reports of her visit to Australia. Whoever is doing her hats now should be drawn and quartered!

This is an enjoyable book and I can only feel a bit sorry for the Queen. For all of her worldly possessions, she leads a rather dreadful life. Smiling, looking interested, holding flowers, etc. must almost drive her out of her mind! She does a good job of it, though, and for that I give her credit. It's a good show. I've been watching it for over 40 years!

One of the best books on the British Royal Family and on Queen Elizabeth in particular.

Reading this book one can see that Mr. Davies is quite knowledgeable and has done his homework where researching the subject is concerned.

Queen Elizabeth may not be easily amused - and she has every right not to be - but I certainly was highly amused and entertained.

Ever since I can remember I have been fascinated by the British Royal family; watching the weddings of both the Waleses and the Yorks, reading Majesty magazine each month, etc. I bought this book to find out more about the Queen and Prince Phillip. I finished this book within two days and still find myself drawn to it. The depth that the author reaches, describing the Queen's marriage, family, responsibilities, daily life - it is all covered with a thoroughness that makes the reader feel as though they knew Her Majesty personally. Undoubtedly there are other books available that detail Queen Elizabeth II's life, but this one will stand out due to it's ability to draw the reader into the world of this remarkable monarch.

this book is a good little read with a overview of the life of queen victoria.

I enjoyed reading this book. It gave a good overview of Queen Victoria's life. The information was complete and pertinent.

I also found it to be a very quick read.

Actually, I probably shouldn't review this book as I am more familiar with the approximately 600 page biography of Queen Victoria that the Countess of Longford published in 1965. It is excellent. I only mention this as one reviewer was disappointed by the length of this version. Those seeking a far more in-depth account by the same author should search for QUEEN VICTORIA-BORN TO SUCCEED.

I was expecting a bigger book, so I was surprised when this whimpy little paperback arrived. It reads more like a textbook, but is full of great information. Highly recommend if you are looking for a fact filled biography.

This book is not only a classic in polisci fields but also very important in sociology and history. Tawney's argument that the decline of the communal mindset (present in Reformed theology especially) was a leading cause of the rise of Capitalism, especially in countries like England, where a wealthy few profited from the disolution of the monasteries.

I would recomend this book to anyone studying polisci, history, sociology and even theology, to give a good perspective on why we think the way we do. Our western mindset is a classic example of not seeing the forest throught the trees.

This book is a magisterial critical evaluation of the thesis of Max Weber 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism'.

Tawney argues rightly that there is an interaction between religion and the social/economical circumstances because 'it seems a little artificial to talk as though capitalist enterprise could not appear till religious changes had produced a capitalist spirit. It would be equally true, and equally one-sided, to say that the religious changes were purely the result of economic movements.' (p. 312)

As a matter of fact, the Christian Church itself had changed mightily in the Renaissance. It persecuted the Spiritual Franciscans who followed St Francis' rule of evangelical poverty! It was the richest company in the Western world (see 'A world lit by fire' by W. Manchester).

Tawney remarks rightly that what Calvin did for the bourgeoisie of the sixteenth century, Marx did for the proletariat of the nineteenth.
Calvin's success was firmly prepared by Puritan moralists, who stressed thrift, work as an end in itself, efficiency and rational calculation. They paved the way for a shrewd commercial and powerful middle class, which adopted the Calvinist religion and its ethic as a natural ally.

This very rich book shows the real impact of Calvinism on the whole society. One example: wages. Calvinism considered 'that high wages are not a blessing, but a misfortune, since they merely conduce to weekly debauches.' (p.267)

This is a brilliantly written, colourful, metaphorical, and yet scientific work. It should be an example for all historians and should show them how to present important historical evolutions in a comprehensive and attractive language.

This is an essential read for the understanding of our own modern society.

I've wanted to get a persepctive on how the early church justified its incredible secular wealth and power during the Middle Ages. I believe that it is time to revisit these ideas in an age where Christianity and secular society are either obsessed with the accumulation of wealth or Christians have an aversion to it feeling that Christians shouldn't have wealth. This book was recommended to me by my professor at Fuller Seminary.

What is the boundary between us and them? Who is part of the family, with whom we deal on the basis of love and trust, and who is not, from whom we require a monetary accounting of our economic relationship? This book follows the changing answer to that question over the 16th and 17th centuries, in Britain and (to a lesser extent) other parts of Europe.

The medieval conception was that all people were brethren in Christ, all part of the family, and everyone was responsible for the well-being of all. The Church, as the guardian of this family, could establish and enforce ethical standards for business life as much as it regulated all other aspects of life. This was the view of the Protestant reformers as well as the Catholic Church.

No doubt sincerely felt in the brotherhood of the early church, this feeling began to pall with the have-nots in a stratified medieval society, especially as the corruption of the Church became rampant. The tide of individualism was rising, not to be denied. The Protestant reformers certainly did not intend to help this tide along: they regarded it as part of the decadence of the time. The story, and the irony, of religion in the rise of capitalism is that the Protestant churches got captured by the individualists against the wishes of their founders.

Tawney explores this history with wit and wisdom, as illustrated in this quote: "... the poor, it is well known, are of two kinds, 'the industrious poor', who work for their betters, and 'the idle poor', who work for themselves."

This book is a classic in its field, and should be in the library of everyone interested in the history of the last few centuries.