Max Weber: The Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism

Recent weekend I had to pleasure to read this classic work of sociology. My understanding of social effects of Lutheranism and Calvinism increased greatly. At least, I hope so.
Today, the most important point of Weber's story is that religious ideas of Reformation are the forces which shaped economic attitudes of Westerners. The economic development that followed is the result.

In my opinion, ideas of Martin Luther and John Calvin are mirrored even today in differing attitudes of Anglo-American and German people on questions like working hours, organization of business etc. Astonishingly so.