Anthony Giddens

Ian Craib provides an introduction to the work of Anthony Giddens, and a critical discussion of his ideas. He sets out the background to and sources for Giddens' development of structuration theory and describes the main features of his theory. He also discusses the substantive contributions that Giddens has made to the theory of social class and his historical sociology, including his conception of modernity. "Anthony Giddens" is intended to provide an accessible introduction to Giddens' work and also to situate structuration theory in the context of other approaches. It is argued that while Giddens has made some important contributions to social theory, structuration theory is not the transcendent grand theory that it is sometimes claimed to be. It does not replace other approaches nor does it incorporate some of the more important insights of modern philosophy and psychotherapy. This book should be of interest to students of sociology and philosophy.

'Given that Giddens's theorrtical project is still in full and far from being completed, Craib's book offers a consistent, readable rendition of "the story so far": a useful summary of everything accomplished to-date and an inventory of unresolved issues and open-ended questions. To synthesize in such a way is a tall order, and, Craib has acquitted himself of the challenging task better than most other writers'. Zygmunt Bauman, Professor of Sociology, Leeds University.