What Is the West? [Paperback]

Philippe Nemo (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0820703753 | ISBN-13: 978-0820703756 | Publication Date: December 15, 2005

In this short, illuminating, and very readable work, Philippe Nemo argues that what we call 'the West' is one and only one cultural entity, to which both North America and Western Europe belong. In contemporary debates, then, Nemo asserts, it is simply incorrect to exaggerate the differences or gaps between countries that are indeed 'Western'. Brilliantly and succinctly surveying the last five or six millenia, Nemo pieces together the history of the West's development. He weaves together political events, philosophical discoveries, religious movements, and scientific and technological innovations to demonstrate the factors that have influenced and shaped Western culture. Already translated from the original French into Portuguese, Italian, German and Greek, "What is the West?" has received considerable interest throughout Europe; earlier this year, in fact, it received the Italian 'Citte della Rose' prize for essays. Now available for the first time in English, this book will be essential reading for those interested in contemporary cultural debates on Western culture and nationhood, as well as American values; as well as those interested in world history and politics, philosophy and religion, and contemporary global politics. Not geared to specifically conservative or liberal viewpoints but to an accurate rendering of historical ideas and trends, Nemo's book should do much to advance our understanding of each other in an increasingly global community.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

PHILIPPE NEMO is a professor at the ESCP-EAP European School of Management, where he teaches philosophy and the history of political ideas. He is also the author of Job and the Excess of Evil.

Product Details

• Paperback: 155 pages
• Publisher: Duquesne Univ Pr (December 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0820703753
• ISBN-13: 978-0820703756
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be taught in high school, May 8, 2007

By 

Andrew Berman (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Is the West? (Paperback)

Most people assume that Western Civilization is either worthless (some on the Left), or easily importable to other civilizations (some on the Right). But the West has traveled a very long road through Jerusalem, Greece, Rome, the Papistry, etc... to get where we are. We have a lot to be proud of, and this book helps us understand why.

Every High School Senior should read this book. People should form book-reading clubs and discuss it. Your congressman should read this book. It's just that good.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, cogent, and timely, April 7, 2007

By 

Michael B. Dipietro (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Is the West? (Paperback)

What is the West? represents the summing up in very concise and readable fashion the thinking of one of Europe's most respected, insightful and powerful intellects. It's a short and readable essay built upon a solid foundation of decades of academic research all summarized for the general reader in little over 100+ lucid and readable pages.

The reviewer below obvously does not understand and has little appreciation for the work of a world class scholar writing for a general audience and he has also mischaracterized the content of the author's argument. The previous reviewer appears terribly dissaponted that this is not the anti-Western screed he expected. It is about the basic and fundamental ingredients that went into the making of what is known to the world as "The West". And yes, that includes the contributions of Christianity. It shows an appreciation for what the West has contributed to the world. This is apparently what passes for biased cold War "propaganda" to the reviewer below. Only a reviling and demonizing of the West would pass as "objective" history for many like minded readers. In truth the previous reviewer is looking for anything but obkectivity and balence.

Just one look at the scholarly reviews and comments so far would indicate that this book is far from what the previous reviewer would have you believe it is. He/she has his own agenda to push. For the reader who wants an easy to digest summary of what the West is and a lucid analysis what ingredients it is built upon, but one which also rests on a soild foundation of knowledge and academic research this is an excelelnt place to start.

3 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A waste of time., April 2, 2007

By 

S. B. Volchan (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Is the West? (Paperback)

I find it amazing that one could write such a biased book while trying to sell it
as a work of scholarship. The book lacks (among other things) some of the basic tenets one expects from a serious and honest scholar: critical and clear thinking and a balanced analysis.

In sum, it is just an old-fashioned piece of propaganda/ideology/myth, a genre
I (naively) supposed was exhausted since the end of the cold war. I consider particularly insulting the way the author treats the reader: as a complete fool.
Well, maybe I am a fool, because I purchased it. Hope others won't make the same mistake.