What do we mean by Western Civilization? When did the expression originate and why? At a time when there is a widespread perception that Western Civilization is undergoing a historic crisis; and when postmodernism; feminist theory; afrocentrism; deconstruction; and other current philosophical schools define themselves as alternatives to; or critiques of; Western Civilization; this book seeks to trace the development of the concept of Western Civilization and to examine the reasons for its endurance. It also suggests ways in which proponents of Western Civilization can co-opt ideas from opponents.Written from a multidisciplinary viewpoint; the essays in this volume trace the development of the concept of Western Civilization and seek to explode many standing beliefs―primarily those which concern the very existence of a Western tradition. Bound to be controversial; the book will be of interest to scholars and activists in the fields of cultural history; anthropology; and the history of ideas; as well as general readers interested in the enduring discussion of the notion of Western Civilization.
#2432079 in Books Penn State Press 2012-11-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .78 x 6.00l; .90 #File Name: 0271034130280 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wenger's Country store keeper in Schaefferstown; PaBy H. LappWenger's treatise is the best in its class on early store keeping in colonial America. She worked using an unprecedented amount of data documented by Schaefferstown; Pa store keeper Samuel Rex that provides us with a detailed picture of his business and its importance as a central part of the community. It was not only a source of important commerce; but also for social integration and life. ex grew up in Germantown in the 2nd half of the 18th century working for his father at his northern Germantown (Cresheim) store. That experience provides us with a picture of what store keeping must have been in the early days of Germantown's history. I am researching and writing about Germantown merchant flour miller; the Quaker Thomas Livezey (1723-1790). He ran one of the largest flour mills in the colonies starting in 1747. Wenger's work contributes immensely to my understanding of commerce in early Germantown. She is an excellent story teller and has the ability to summarize the huhe amount of data Rex left us with making it a compelling story.
