Product Description

Western Europeans were among the first, if not the first, to invent mechanical clocks, geometrically precise maps, double-entry bookkeeping, precise algebraic and musical notations, and perspective painting. By the sixteenth century more people were thinking quantitatively in western Europe than in any other part of the world. The Measure of Reality discusses the epochal shift from qualitative to quantitative perception in Western Europe during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. This shift made modern science, technology, business practice, and bureaucracy possible.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #729712 in Books
• Published on: 1997-12-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 261 pages

Review
‘In this thoroughly fascinating monograph, Alfred W. Crosby asks a fundamental question: How and why did it come to pass that Europeans, seemingly backward bumpkins in medieval times, became so successful as imperialists?’ John Allen Paulos, LA Times

‘The Measure of Reality has all the intellectual scope, vivid detail, imaginative interpretation and delicious wit that I expected from Crosby’s earlier books. Here Crosby argues that Western Europeans were better imperialists than any humans before them in part because, from the thirteenth century onward, they thought about reality in quantitative terms and did so more consistently than other peoples. There is an important lesson here for today.’ Joel E. Cohen, Rockerfeller University

‘Crosby shows us how Europeans prepared for their world encompassing expansion after 1500 by learning how to measure, calculate and control the world around them by breaking reality into equal, arbitrary units. The Measure of Reality is a brilliant, provocative essay, as original and persuasive as his earlier Ecological Imperialism. A really significant little essay, full of new information and delightfully written as well.’ William H. McNeill

‘How the numerate urge developed and blossomed is the subject of this gracefully written book. … Crosby constructs a convincing account of how different forces came together to elevate quantification as a social and economic good in Western European society. … Crosby helps us fathom the arcane past - and understand our number-driven civilization.’ Karen Pennar, Business Week

‘Western Europe did remake itself during that thousand years in a way that no other culture in the world did - or even attempted to do. And that is the transformation addressed in a very accessible and readable way by Crosby’s stimulating, wide-ranging study of the intellectual development of the medieval West.’ Richard Holt, The New York Times Book Review

Customer Reviews

An accessible, well-documented, and cross-disciplinary book.
With great respect and sensitivity, Professor Crosby characterizes the transition in mentalité from the longstanding "Venerable Model" to the "New Model" of interpreting reality that coalesced in the decades from 1275 to 1325. Recommended for history, Western Civilization, comparative cultures, philosophy of history, and philosophy of science courses. An excellent addition to graduate school libraries and major public libraries. Robert S. Frey, M.A.; Editor, BRIDGES

highly recommended
The author does a spectacular job of building a bridge from Medieval thought to a nascent scientific era using the theme of quantification. He uses an entertaining and readable style to document the emergence of measurement schemes in disciplines and activities as diverse as bookkeeping and music. I found the book both enjoyable and enlightening, and plan to cite it frequently in my teaching.

clearly and well written, fascinating story
After reading a positive recommendation in The Economist, I read this book twice and greatly enjoyed the rich tapestry of strands that Crosby weaves. With discerning eye and picking essential tendencies he explains how& why Europe surged ahead from the 11/12th century onward (with a nightmare pause in the 14th century) in economic and technological development, to dominate the world for an unprecedented period. He bases his story on many different elements that came to the fore in an increasingly complex and dynamic European society of the 12/13th century. I found his thesis of the increasing European mindset toward quantification altogether very convincing. I also liked how he points out the traces of these developments on our society today. Highly recommendend.