"This is an unrivalled collection of essays on social theory from the classical to the postmodern period. It keeps one up to date without abandoning the foundational issues that tie society, politics, culture, gender, and race. Each contributor has fashioned a remarkably responsible account of the topic at hand along with invaluable bibliographic guides." – John O’Neill, York University, Toronto ... Read more "The striking motif of this revised reader-friendly companion is Bryan Turner’s welcome dismissal of ‘decorative theory’ – that is cultural theory which has become an end in itself. He urges a return to historical and comparative studies reflected by new chapters on social anthropology and the body." – Ray Pahl, University of Kent Show Less