> What're the 10 most important books that must be read to learn about
> World Systems Theory?
>Answer: None of the above! WRITE YOUR OWN!!!
>cheerfully submitted
>Gunder Frank
Dear Charlie,
In case you are like me, and a mere mortal in comparison to Gunder's ability
to write *his* own, I would recommend (in addition to those already mentioned)
the following: Some are not 'world system' texts, but are important
nonetheless:
1) William H.McNeill _The Rise of the West_ (see also his wonderful epilogue to
Stephen Sanderson's (ed) _Civilizations and World Systems_)
2) William H.McNeill _Plagues and People_ (not normally seen as 'world system'
analysis, but an amazing addition to world history)
3) William H.McNeill 'A Defence of World History_, in _Mythistory and Other
Essays_. (opening chapter pretty neat also)
3) Lewis Mumford _The City in History_
4) Lewis Mumford _Technics and Civilization_ (again, not standard 'world system'
ground, but rather world history .. stunning erudition with a refreshing sense
of social concern)
5) Marshall Hodgson _The Venture of Islam_ 3 Vols
6) Michael Mann _The Sources of Social Power_ 2 Vols
7) Marshall Sahlins _Stone Age Economics_
8) Norbert Elias _The Civilizing Process_
9) Fernand Braudel _The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of
Philip II_ 2 Vols
10) I guess you must know the following already, but don't forget the important
work by Barry Gills and Gunder Frank, extending the world system project: Andre
Gunder Frank and Barry Gills (eds) _The World System_
best wishes/sincerely
ian.r.d.
_______________________________________________________________________
Ian Robert Douglas,
Department of Politics, "In attempting to uncover the deepest strata
University of Bristol, of Western culture, I am restoring to our
Bristol, BS8 1TU, UK. silent and apparently immobile soil its
rifts, its instability, its flaws; and it is
I.R.Douglas@bris.ac.uk the same ground that is once more stirring
Tel: (0117) 928 7898 under our feet." (Michel Foucault)
Fax: (0117) 973 2133
http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Politics/70112.html
http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Politics/JPP
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