Through an historical analysis of the theme of Oriental despotism; Michael Curtis reveals the complex positive and negative interaction between Europe and the Orient. The book also criticizes the misconception that the Orient was the constant victim of Western imperialism and the view that Westerners cannot comment objectively on Eastern and Muslim societies. The book views the European concept of Oriental despotism as based not on arbitrary prejudicial observation; but rather on perceptions of real processes and behavior in Eastern systems of government. Curtis considers how the concept developed and was expressed in the context of Western political thought and intellectual history; and of the changing realities in the Middle East and India. The book includes discussion of the observations of Western travelers in Muslim countries and analysis of the reflections of six major thinkers: Montesquieu; Edmund Burke; Tocqueville; James and John Stuart Mill; Karl Marx; and Max Weber.
#974122 in Books Ondina E Gonzalez 2007-11-12 2008-01-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x .79 x 5.98l; 1.01 #File Name: 0521681928344 pagesChristianity in Latin America A History
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent historyBy Doug ErlandsonJusto Gonzalez is best known for his two-volume "The Story of Christianity" and his three-volume "A History of Christian Thought." In "Christianity in Latin America" he and Ondina Gonzalez apply their skills as historians and story-tellers to create an easy-to-read and interesting yet meaty work on a topic that is often neglected. Many histories of Christianity give no more than a chapter to the history of Latin America. The Gonzalezes have admirably filled in the gap.Beginning with a short introduction (that should not be overlooked; since it provides a brief overview of the main issues to be covered); "Christianity in Latin America" goes on to briefly describe the Latin America setting at the time when the first Europeans entered the land. There follows a discussion of the arrival of Christianity; how the faith was shaped by the institutional church; the religious orders; and so forth; the various reform movements in the church; the struggles within the church; and the church's role after Latin American became independent of Spain.The part of the book is primarily about the Roman Catholic presence in Latin America. The rest of the book shifts to a discussion of the Protestant presence in Latin America; beginning with a description of the immigration from the Protestant areas of Europe as well as from North America; followed by a discussion of the Protestant missionaries to Latin America and the conflicts that resulted. The book then returns to a discussion of the effect of Vatican II on Latin American Catholicism and the rise of Pentecostalism and other movements in recent decades.This is a must read for anyone interested in acquiring an overview of the history of the church in Latin America.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy dipGood0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy pastor MartinezGreat book from a Latino/a perspective!
