This is an academic essay

This is an important book, still very significant today but is not easy for the lay reader to fully comprehend on first listening - for me short listenings, say 30 minutes, every day and re-listening allowed me to grasp and consider what Weber is saying. The narrator assists the reader and does not get in the way, he has a voice that is smooth yet engaging. Keep in mind that the essay was written over 100 years ago.

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Great Book, Awful Narration

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's one of those books that I should have read in college, but now I'm making up for it.

I listened and read at the same time, which meant that I had two ways of absorbing the text. This helped, because at times it isn't the easiest book in the world to understand. However, if you understand Weber's thesis before you get into it (it is well known these days) it shouldn't be too hard. The theology is a bit tough at times, so I would recommend some basic understanding of Protestant ideas before tackling it.

The real downside to the whole experience was Monroe's narration. I really find it difficult to listen to his gravelly, tired voice. Perhaps he should be in the business of narrating movie trailers, but definitely not modern interpretations of Protestant theology. He mispronounces words, slurs his speech, and misreads thought groups frequently throughout the book. At times, I gave up on the audiobook and just read. That way I could focus on the content more, instead of being distracted by poor narration.

Weber's work is a classic though, and should be read by anyone with an interest in the origins of capitalism.

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A dull read, interesting only in its final chapter

I read this for my degree rather than for enjoyment, and this no doubt had an effect on my views of the book. I found most of the chapters a drag; chapter 4 in particular is quite impenetrable to someone lacking in-depth theological knowledge. Nevertheless, Chapter 5 pulls the book together well. Overall though, I really would not recommend the book as enjoyable reading, but then again that was not my purpose in reading it.

To fellow English listeners, it is also worth noting that the American narrator's accent is mildly infuriating.

Happy reading.

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Tedious

I am suffering to finish this book. As much as I am interested in the subject, it is written & read so monotonously so it's a struggle to stick with it.

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Boring book

So boring book
The reading was really good but the book itself is so boring

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