The De-moralization Of Society: From Victorian Virtues to Modern Values [Paperback]

Gertrude Himmelfarb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 1996

As the debate over values grows ever more divisive, one of the most eminent historians of the Victorian era reminds readers that values are no substitute for virtues--and that the Victorian considered hard work, thrift, respectability, and charity virtues essential to a worthwhile life. "An elegant, literate defense of ninteenth-century English mores and morals."--New York.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Historian Himmelfarb argues for a return to the Victorian "virtues"?hard work, self-reliance and deferral of gratification?as a way of combating present social ills.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Himmelfarb, professor emeritus of history at CUNY and the author of several works on Victorian England, including most recently Poverty and Compassion: The Moral Imagination of the Late Victorians (LJ 7/91), here contrasts the Victorian "virtues" of respectability, self-help, orderliness, cleanliness, and obedience with today's vague concept of "values." The author debunks the popular perception of Victorians as repressed and materialistic. Instead, according to Himmelfarb, their "manners and morals" created a society that emphasized a strong family life for all classes and gave rise to a prosperous economy and the early feminist and social service movements. Furthermore, the influence of these virtues caused the incidence of illegitimate births and violent crimes to drop significantly and remain low until the 1960s. This provocative and important book is recommended for all academic and large public libraries.?Kathryn Moore Crowe, Univ. of North Carolina Lib., Greensboro
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; 1st Vintage Books Ed edition (January 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679764909
• ISBN-13: 978-0679764908
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ms. Himmelfarb Does It Again, September 13, 2001

By 

N. Cardon (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The De-moralization Of Society: From Victorian Virtues to Modern Values (Paperback)

Gertrude Himmelfarb provides an interesting and thought-provoking analysis of the Victorian Age. Her formidable logic, study, and sources enable her to break down the stereotypes of Victoria's Britain. In doing so, she constructs a far more realistic, fair, and honest portrayl of Victoria's reign. Do not be fooled, Ms. Himmelfarb does not simply lavish praise on the past and turn her nose up at modern culture; she provides a reasoned and valuable look at the two times.

This book should be read by anyone who seeks to understand where we have been and where we are going.

48 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Professor Himmelfarb!, November 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The De-moralization Of Society: From Victorian Virtues to Modern Values (Paperback)

At last, a readable, non-revisionist, and quite relevant discussion of the history of our "moral" system. Professor Himmelfarb is an excellent writer who makes history for nonhistorians come alive. I will never again read Keats, Shelley, Wells, or Mill without placing them in the historical context presented in this book. It is a relief to know that some realism remains in the debauched, angst-filled, revisionist halls of modern academia. This is a wonderful book!

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Victorian Virtues Trump Modern "Values!", July 14, 2000

By 

Kathleen (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The De-moralization Of Society: From Victorian Virtues to Modern Values (Paperback)

I was brought up to think of all things Victorian as stuffy, repressed and backward. It was a pleasant surprise to realize that far from being a social wilderness, Victorian England and America had much about them to admire.

The belief in God, country, indisputable truths, and loyalty to family were the hallmarks of the Victorians. It is regrettable that in our own time we have no constant stars to guide us as our recent forbears had.

The advances in medicine and science are all good. But it sad that with all these scientific advances, people feel more isolated and insecure than the erstwhile Victorians encumbered with all the constraints of that age.