Gospels of Wealth [Paperback]

Paul G. Schervish (Author), Platon E. Coutsoukis (Author), Ethan Lewis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0275950948 | ISBN-13: 978-0275950941 | Publication Date: December 30, 1994

There is fascination and suspicion about the wealthy. Yet there is a dearth of material in which the wealthy speak for themselves about the meaning of their lives. Gospels of Wealth provides such narrative material. This book is a novel venture in social science. It is the first book to have a broad range of wealthy individuals recount their lives in detail, and, importantly, the first to formulate a sociology of wealth that goes beyond conventional, power-elite, Marxist, and status-group theories. The authors begin with an analytical framework for studying the biographical narratives of the wealthy. Next, 12 contemporary Americans directly and vividly recount how financial and spiritual aspects of their lives unfold and invariably intertwine. A concluding section explores rules for interpreting the "truth" of moral biographies and for undertaking a critical assessment of such narratives. The book's theoretical framework and first-person accounts will appeal to general readers as well as researchers in sociology, American studies, philanthropy, economic life, and cultural studies.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

A novel examination of the contemporary world of wealth and the lives of the wealthy.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

PAUL G. SCHERVISH is Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the Social Welfare Research Institute at Boston College.

PLATON E. COUTSOUKIS is a research associate in the Social Welfare Research Institute at Boston College.

ETHAN LEWIS is Assistant Professor of English at Sangamon State University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Paperback (December 30, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275950948
• ISBN-13: 978-0275950941
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,462,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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