Blackwell Companion to Major Social Theorists

The Companion to Major Social Theorists offers a broad-ranging survey of classical and contemporary social theory. In original essays especially commissioned for this volume, leading experts and practitioners examine the life and work of 25 major theorists, discussing the social and intellectual context of their writings and offering an analysis of the impact of their work over time. Includes 25 original essays on major classical and contemporary social theoristsContributions are especially commissioned for this volume, and are by leading experts and practitioners in the fieldCovers the key figures who shaped classical social theory, such as Marx, Weber and Durkheim, as well as figures such as Martineau, DuBois, and SimmelDedicates coverage is given to contemporary social theorists, including Goffman, Elias, Foucault, Giddens, Bourdieu and ButlerEssays include biographical sketches, the social and intellectual context, and the impact of the theorist's work on social theoryIncludes bibliographies of the theorist's most important works as well as key secondary worksEdited by a leading figure in social theory, this volume provides an outstanding one-volume reference source in social theory.