{"product_id":"born-bad-isbn-9781619027183","title":"Born Bad","description":"\"Original sin is the Western world's creation story.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAccording to the Christian doctrine of original sin, humans are born inherently bad, and only through God's grace can they achieve salvation. In this captivating and controversial book, acclaimed historian James Boyce explores how this centuries–old concept has shaped the Western view of human nature right up to the present. Boyce traces a history of original sin from Adam and Eve, St. Augustine, and Martin Luther to Adam Smith, Sigmund Freud, and Richard Dawkins, and explores how each has contributed to shaping our conception of original sin.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoyce argues that despite the marked decline in church attendance in recent years, religious ideas of morality still very much underpin our modern secular society, regardless of our often being unaware of their origins. If today the specific doctrine has all but disappeared (even from churches), what remains is the distinctive discontent of Western people—the feelings of guilt and inadequacy associated not with doing wrong, but with being wrong. In addition to offering an innovative history of Christianity, Boyce offers new insights in to the creation of the West.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBorn Bad\u003c\/i\u003e is the sweeping story of a controversial idea and the remarkable influence it still wields.\"Boyce provides a solid, albeit complex, description of the presence of original sin concepts . . . the book has tremendous merit in its presentation of a nearly 2,000–year history of a major aspect of the Western intellectual tradition.\"—\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eBorn Bad\u003c\/i\u003e is one of the best books on the history of the evolution of Christianity and its ideology. It is beautifully written and very well argued. This book is a necessary read for all those who are interested in Christianity, its evolution, and its history.\"—\u003ci\u003eWashington Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"James Boyce has...written a brilliant and exhilarating work of popular scholarship.\" —\u003ci\u003eThe Washington Post \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"[\u003ci\u003eBorn Bad\u003c\/i\u003e] makes a compelling argument...an engrossing study...Boyce leads us into new understandings of some of the central figures in Western culture....This is an exceptional, highly recommended work, innovative and creative in surprising ways.\"—\u003ci\u003ePublisher's Weekly Starred Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Boyce covers a lot of ground and explores a number of authors in this wide–ranging treatment, and the result is impressive. Readable and comprehensive, the book provides worthwhile food for thought. Boyce successfully illustrates the ability of original sin to dominate Western culture for nearly two millennia.\"—\u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eBorn Bad\u003c\/i\u003e is one of the best books on the history of the evolution of Christianity and its ideology. It is beautifully written and very well argued. This book is a necessary read for all those who are interested in Christianity, its evolution, and its history.\" —\u003ci\u003eThe Washington Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eJames Boyce\u003c\/b\u003e is the multiple award–winning author of \u003ci\u003e1835\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eVan Diemen's Land\u003c\/i\u003e. He has a PhD from the University of Tasmania, where he is an honorary research associate of the School of Geography and Environmental Studies.","brand":"Counterpoint","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46301005283557,"sku":"NP9781619027183","price":16.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781619027183.jpg?v=1767722961","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/born-bad-isbn-9781619027183","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}