Classical Social Theory

Ian Craib compellingly shows the value of studying classic thinkers such as Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and Simmel alongside the more popular contemporary questions. Providing an account of the key ideas of classical social theory, Dr Craib establishes their relevance today, their enduring significance, and their contribution to understanding contemporary problems. Written in a direct, personal style, Classical Social Theory's thematic structure helps the reader compare the theorists systematically, and the book-by-book approach pays close attention to each thinker's key texts, quoting the most important passages and analysing them in a clear, straightforward way. Other student-friendly features include: * biographical details and an elementary overview of the work of Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and Simmel * Dramatis Personae with brief details of the life and thought of other relevant thinkers * Glossary covering important terms and phrases used in the text Classical Social Theory is an indispensable guide to the key thinkers in Sociology for anyone new to the subject.

About the Author :
The late Dr Ian Craib was Reader in Sociology, University of Essex. He was also author of Modern Social Theory: From Parsons to Habermas (Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1984).

Review :
is there anything to add to the vast amount of textbooks introducing classic thinkers to students in the social sciences? Craib's book answers this question; yes, there is...More importantly, Craib succeeds where many introductions to the classics fail...this book not only tells us about the classic thinkers. It brings their thoughts alive, and shows us why they matter, too./Talja Blokland/The European Legacy, Vol.5, No.2, 2000. `Clear, readable, and intelligent.' J.J.R. Thomas, University of the West of England `This is the book I've been waiting for. I'm very impressed with its style, clarity, and thoroughness. For the first time, I have a book I can recommend as a core text ... Excellent for students who fear theory and good jumping off point for the better ones.' Malcolm Williams, University of Plymouth `Written in a clear, at times colloquial style, the book provides an essential guide not only to specific sociologists but to the development of sociology itself.' Aslib Book Guide, Vol 62, no 12 `This is a gem of a book. It is an accessible and authoritative treatment of classical theory, written in the definitive 'user-friendly' style. Craib's text is suitable both for undergraduates, and for those graduate students who have no prior training in classical sociological theory.' Dr Roger Sibeon, University of Liverpool "We appreciate the presence of a summary inside every chapter, and, at the end of the bool a precious analytical index of the concepts as well as a short biography of the authors who are quoted in the book. But it above all the in the text that we appreciate Craib's ability to synthesise...The book's orginality lies also in the fact that the four authors are studies in parallel, centred around three main topis: the view of society and the paradigm to study it; the analysis of the social structure; the history and the social change. The reader is helped by a summary of the line of argument in each chapter and many diagrams", Felice Dassetto, Recherches Sociologique, 1998/2. Relegion et sante