GRAHAM CROW is Reader in Sociology at the University of Southampton, UK. He is widely published and is the author of Comparative Sociology and Social Theory and Social Solidarities amongst other books. His research interests include sociological theory, comparative sociology and the sociology of families and communities.

'A lively comparison of the contrasting argumentative styles of key sociologists that should also appeal to both teachers and students as a novel introductory social theory text.' - David Jary, Visiting Research Professor, The Open University 'This excellent and refreshing book presents sociology as a dynamic undertaking, encouraging its student readers to think of themselves as participants in the debate. Bringing classical and contemporary theory together in an exemplary fashion, it deserves a wide and receptive audience.' - Professor John Holmwood, University of Sussex

• AcknowledgementsIntroduction: The Importance of Sociological ArgumentKarl Marx: Sociology as Radical CriticismEmile Durkheim: Sociology as the Identification of Social FactsMax Weber: Sociology as the Science of Interpretive UnderstandingTalcott Parsons: Sociology as Systematic ReflectionCharles Wright Mills: Sociology as an Imaginative CraftErving Goffman: Sociology as an Eye for DetailMichel Foucault: Sociology as ShockingAnn Oakley: Sociology as EmancipationConclusionBibliography.