may contain markup

By Edward Gibbon

In "Christians and the Fall of Rome," renowned historian Edward Gibbon delves into the intricate relationship between the rise of Christianity and the decline of the Roman Empire. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Gibbon explores the impact of Christianity on the social, political, and cultural fabric of Rome during its final years. He weaves a compelling narrative that examines the intersection of faith and power, shedding light on how religious dynamics played a pivotal role in shaping the course of history. This seminal work offers a thought-provoking perspective on a crucial period in Western civilization and continues to be a cornerstone in the study of antiquity.

Penguin, 2004, 90 pages

MAY CONTAIN MARKUP

By R. H. Tawney

"Religion and the Rise of Capitalism" by R. H. Tawney delves into the intricate relationship between religion and economic systems, exploring the role of Christian ethics in shaping the emergence of capitalism. Published in 1926, Tawney's seminal work challenges conventional beliefs by examining how religious doctrines influenced the development of economic structures in Western societies. Through a critical historical analysis, Tawney presents compelling arguments on the impact of Protestant values on the rise of capitalism, shedding light on the moral and ethical dimensions of economic progress. Thought-provoking and meticulously researched, this book remains a classic in the field of economic history, inviting readers to reconsider the profound connections between religion, morality, and economic pursuits."

NY. Mentor. 1947. 289p.

USED BOOK. MAY CONTAIN MARK-UP

Edited By David Womersley

FROM THE INTRODUCTION: “Edward Gibbon (1737-94) published The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire in three instalments between 1776 and 1788. It was an immediate popular success, selling (as the delighted author put it) 'like a sixpenny pamphlet on the news of the day'. The book was immediately involved in controversy for its supposed hostility to established religion. But Gibbon's attitudes were much more nuanced, his intentions much more complicated, and his historical interests vastly more profound, than were those of any deist….”

London. Penguin Books. 1995. 97p.

USED BOOK. MAY CONTAIN MARK-UP

By Michael Grant

FROM THE JACKET: “….Michael Grant dives into the reasons why the reign of this Roman emperor, which lasted from 306 to 337 A.D.. marked a watershed in the history of civilization, albeit one charged with irony. Founding his capital at Constantinople, Constantine revitalized the Enstern half of the empire, enabling it to survive and flourish (as the Byzantine Empire) for another thousand years. Yet, as Grant shows, this shift of power to the east would prove fatal to the Western empire and have profound consequences for Europe as a whole. Constantine’s most far-reaching decision, however. was the legalization of Christianity and his conversion to the faith. Without this dramatic change Christianity might have remained a suppressed. minority religion---or worse. Grant points out the irony behind this watershed, too: For Constantine, the Christian God represented not peace but power, not humanity but success in warfare. Whatever the emperor's motives, Christian writers of that period--and after--greatly admired Constantine. Grant draws on their writings judiciously, while noting, for example, that Eusebius fails to mention Constantine's murder of his own son and his empress. Grant deftly explores the many questions surrounding these killings--Had the son plotted revolution? Had his stepmother, the empress, fallen in love with him? Had the emperor allowed a charge of rape (possibly false) brought by the empress against the stepson to stand?…

NY. Barnes & Noble. 1993. 282p.