Book Review: Buying Respectability: Philanthropy and Urban Society in Transnational Perspective, 1840s to 1930s

This review discusses "Buying Respectability: Philanthropy and Urban Society in Transnational Perspective, 1840s to 1930s" by Stefan-Ludwig Hoffmann. The book traces the power of philanthropy not merely through financial contributions but through the transnational exchange of information and ideas. It explores how ideas of social reform and institutional forms crossed national boundaries, influencing decision-making and shaping urban societies. The review highlights the book's contribution to understanding the connective value of civil society as a global phenomenon, focusing on key individuals involved in cultural transfer through philanthropy.