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This authoritative collection of the key secondary literature of American sociology is unparalleled in its scope. The set provides a comprehensive guide and reassessment of the American tradition from the eighteenth century to today: from Franklin to Etzioni demonstrates that Americans have left an indelible mark on sociological theory and method: from the American Enlightenment, through to the monumental contributions of the Chicago School, Parsons, Goffman, Functionalism, Garfinkel and radical-critical theory.

Volume 1 considers the emergence of American sociology, and includes the key writings on the American Enlightenment: from Madison to Thoreau, de Tocqueville's seminal critical contribution and the work of Giddings, Small, Dewey and the American pragmatists. One finds here an indispensable survey of the roots of American sociology.

Volume 2 covers pragmatism, functionalism and the quantitative tradition. Seminal contributions from Bulmer, Mills, Parsons, Merton and Coser are included. The distinctive twentieth century contribution of American sociology is pinpointed and explored.

Volume 3 expands the discussion to explore the distinctive critical strands in American sociology. Classical writings from Bales, Homans, Wrong, Riesman, Lipset, Mills and Bell are selected. The volume gives a sense of the growing richness and self-consciousness of the American contribution.

Volume 4 investigates recent trends in American sociology. Selections from the writings of Alexander, Gouldner, Skocpol, Wallerstein, Barrington Moore, Tilly, Sacks and Seidman are included. The fertility and inventiveness of recent American sociology is demonstrated.

Learned and all-encompassing in its vision and achievement, The Classical Tradition in Sociology: The American Tradition provides the reader with a distillation of over two centuries of American sociological endeavour. Full account is taken of the reference needs of students as well as of academics.

Each hardcover volume of 416 pages is bound to the highest standards. The lettering on the cover is gold embossed. The slip case for the four volumes is also embossed. The volumes are not available separately.