Anthony Giddens is one of the world's most prominent and prolific sociologists, and yet he is also a difficult study for the beginning student of sociology. This is the first introduction to the work of Giddens, including the major part of his sociological and social theoretical project. The author traces Giddens' development from the late sixties to the nineties in a straightforward, readable style, covering all parts of Giddens's sociology in a well-arranged summary. Also featured is a lengthy interview with Giddens by the author, and the most comprehensive Giddens bibliography to date.

Classical and Modern Social Theory is comprehensive introduction to the field, covering a wide historical range of thinkers, from the classical to the postmodernist, as well as key themes in social theory and a guide to the major debates. Designed for students with little or no background in social theory, this single volume covering both classic and contemporary theory introduces the basic concepts at the center of social theory in accessible language and provides readers with a useful reference source to the field.