Islam and Capitalism is a learned, engaging rebuttal of the cultural reductionism of Max Weber and others who have tried to explain the politics and society of the Middle East by reference to some unchanging entity called "Islam," typically characterized as instinctively hostile to capitalism. Maxime Rodinson looks at the facts, analyzing economic texts with his customary common sense, to show that Muslims never had any problem making money. Maxime Rodinson was a French Marxist historian, sociologist, and a professor at the renowned Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris.

"This translation first published in 1974 by Allan Lane ... London"--Title page verso.

The problem stated -- What Islam prescribes -- Economic practice in the Muslim world of the Middle Ages -- The influence of Muslim ideology generally in the economic field -- Islam and capitalism in the Muslim countries today -- Conclusions and prospects.