Tantalizing...learned
“...a fine book...tantalizing...learned...an elegant volume....”
–The New York Times
Astonishing mastery
“Mr. Brinton...is a superb craftsman in the history of ideas, with an
astonishing mastery over his material and an enviable skill at presenting
it.”
–The Nation
This work will stand high and long
“One of the outstanding merits of Brinton’s book is its judicious balance
between the sociological and the purely ideological aspects of the history
of morals.... This work will stand high and long on its merits.”
–Christian Century
Sensible and sophisticated
“...the most sensible and genuinely sophisticated book yet done on the
subject...not only highly readable, but...displays an exceptionally wide
learning....”
–American History Review
Authoritative
“An authoritative work of awe-inspiring erudition.”
–Library Journal
“...Mr. Brinton, blend[s] historical erudition, philosophical sophistication, worldly wit, and moral seriousness in judicious proportions...offers abundant pleasures.” –The Christian Science Monitor
Impressive knowledge of Western civilization
This book brings together an impressive range of knowledge of Western
civilization–from the ancient cultures of the Near East, through the Ancient
Greek and Roman worlds, to the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the Renaissance,
the Age of Reason and the twentieth century, Crane Brinton searches human
history for the meaning of ethics. A History of Western Morals raises
many controversial conclusions about the value of religion in society,
the practices of sex, the nature of crime and the possibility of progress.
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
II. ORIGINS: THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST
III. ORIGINS: THE JEWS AND THE GREEKS
IV. GREECE: THE GREAT AGE
V. THE GRECO-ROMAN WORLD
VI. THE BEGINNINGS OF THE JUDAEO-CHRISTIAN TRADITION
VII. THE MIDDLE AGES
VIII. THE REFORMATION
VIII. THE REFORMATION
IX. THE RENAISSANCE
X. THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY
XI. THE AGE OF REASON
XII. THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
XIII. THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
XIV. THE PROBLEM OF MORAL PROGRESS
XV. CONCLUSION: IN WHICH NOTHING IS CONCLUDED
SUGGESTED READINGS
INDEX
CRANE BRINTON, Ph.D. graduated from Harvard and attended Oxford
University as a Rhodes Scholar. Among his many books are Ideas and Men,
The Anatomy of a Revolution, The Shaping of the Modern Mind,
and A History of Civilization.