Classical Social Theory

By Ian Craib and   

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 analyzing 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198781172
• ISBN13: 9780198781172
• Release Date: July 1997
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellent read and a good starting material

It doesn't matter if you are an undergraduate just starting your journey into the field of sociology or a professor looking for an excellent frame for your lectures this book is a must for anyone even closely related to the subject. Ian Craib writes in a very enjoyable style. Every chapter is first introduced and then slowly but clearly unraveled for the reader. In the end of every part there is a an excellent list of recommendations for further reading not only from the authors who are being discussed but also from more modern books and papers discussing their life's work. As the title suggests these four pillars of classic sociology are Marx, Durkheim, Weber and Simmel. What I especially liked about the structure of the book was how each of them is constantly compared to the others in respect to their ideas and theories. These last two points are what put this book above other similar titles like The Discovery of Society which is perhaps an even easier read but clearly lacks in depth compared to this work. Craib is right in suggesting that even though many of the classical theories have nowadays become obsolete they should nevertheless be the starting point for modern day students for much in them has stood the test of time and they help to lay an excellent foundation for further studies. Overall, I do not hesitate to recommend this read to anyone!