-Drawing on an impressive number of sociological, social-theoretical and philosophical sources and written in a clear and sophisticated manner, Peter Baehr's book of 'synthesis and argument' (p. 1) is a work of exemplary scholarship, considerable scientific and educational experience and creative imagination. -
--European Journal of Social Theory
-Professor Baehr raises to a new level of theoretical self-awareness the 'traffic with the classics' which many sociological theorists routinely engage in, whether in teaching or in research. . . . He also contributes to our understanding of the conditions under which many significant sociological masterpieces were produced and recognized (or failed to be). . . . The work displays a rare combination of erudition, sophistication, and originality. It will establish its author as a front-rank member of his generation of practitioners of social theory.-
--Gianfranco Poggi, professor of sociology, European University Institute, Florence
-[Peter Baehr] lifts to a new level our understanding of the complex processes whereby sociological classics emerge, often productively reshaped, after facing many cultural hurdles and surviving heavy barrages from rivals and critics. There is much more in this brilliant text than deconstructive pyrotechnics. Peter Baehr throws new light on a highly contentious field, ranging over the key and highly contested ideas of 'founder, ' 'canon, ' and 'classic.' His style is uniformly fresh, cool and penetrating. This book is likely to become a minor classic in its own right.-
--Dennis Smith, professor of sociology, University of Loughborough, UK
-This is the most honest inquiry available on the deep conceptual and institutional issues that are often concealed by the 'canon wars' that have engulfed academia for the past generation. . . . Although Baehr is mainly focused on sociology, his discussion bears on all the human sciences. Throughout, Baehr displays an exquisite historical sensitivity, especially around the vexed issue of how and why women have been excluded from the sociological canon.-
--Steve Fuller, Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick
-In this stunning work of disambiguation, Peter Baehr attains some remarkable clarities on the nature of classics (founders, canons) in social theory. It stands to reduce a good deal of pointless noise about these foundational questions.-
--Donald N. Levine, Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Sociology, University of Chicago
-In his intelligent and critical guide to the professional debate about the classics of sociology, Peter Baehr skillfully investigates the controversies surrounding founders, founding texts, and foundational institutions. The result is an essential work on the notion of classicality in the discipline of sociology. . . . Baehr's lively text will itself serve to reinvigorate sociology's reading audience.-
--Bryan S. Turner, University of Cambridge
-With depressingly few exceptions, the literature on 'classic sociology' or the 'sociological heritage' is dismal terrain, littered with the detritus of bad prose, weak scholarship, and flabby reasoning. Perhaps Peter Baehr's skeptical reconsideration of debates on the origins of academic sociology will change the landscape of this genre. His study of founders, classics, and canons in the historiography of sociology offers the reader fresh perspectives, lucid analyses, and carefully framed arguments, all underpinned by a formidable but unobtrusive command of sources in several disciplines.-
--Guy Oakes, professor of philosophy and corporate values and Kvernland Endowed Chair in Philosophy and Corporate Social Policy, Monmouth University
"Drawing on an impressive number of sociological, social-theoretical and philosophical sources and written in a clear and sophisticated manner, Peter Baehr's book of 'synthesis and argument' (p. 1) is a work of exemplary scholarship, considerable scientific and educational experience and creative imagination. "
--European Journal of Social Theory
"Professor Baehr raises to a new level of theoretical self-awareness the 'traffic with the classics' which many sociological theorists routinely engage in, whether in teaching or in research. . . . He also contributes to our understanding of the conditions under which many significant sociological masterpieces were produced and recognized (or failed to be). . . . The work displays a rare combination of erudition, sophistication, and originality. It will establish its author as a front-rank member of his generation of practitioners of social theory."
--Gianfranco Poggi, professor of sociology, European University Institute, Florence
"[Peter Baehr] lifts to a new level our understanding of the complex processes whereby sociological classics emerge, often productively reshaped, after facing many cultural hurdles and surviving heavy barrages from rivals and critics. There is much more in this brilliant text than deconstructive pyrotechnics. Peter Baehr throws new light on a highly contentious field, ranging over the key and highly contested ideas of 'founder, ' 'canon, ' and 'classic.' His style is uniformly fresh, cool and penetrating. This book is likely to become a minor classic in its own right."
--Dennis Smith, professor of sociology, University of Loughborough, UK
"This is the most honest inquiry available on the deep conceptual and institutional issues that are often concealed by the 'canon wars' that have engulfed academia for the past generation. . . . Although Baehr is mainly focused on sociology, his discussion bears on all the human sciences. Throughout, Baehr displays an exquisite historical sensitivity, especially around the vexed issue of how and why women have been excluded from the sociological canon."
--Steve Fuller, Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick
"In this stunning work of disambiguation, Peter Baehr attains some remarkable clarities on the nature of classics (founders, canons) in social theory. It stands to reduce a good deal of pointless noise about these foundational questions."
--Donald N. Levine, Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Sociology, University of Chicago
"In his intelligent and critical guide to the professional debate about the classics of sociology, Peter Baehr skillfully investigates the controversies surrounding founders, founding texts, and foundational institutions. The result is an essential work on the notion of classicality in the discipline of sociology. . . . Baehr's lively text will itself serve to reinvigorate sociology's reading audience."
--Bryan S. Turner, University of Cambridge
"With depressingly few exceptions, the literature on 'classic sociology' or the 'sociological heritage' is dismal terrain, littered with the detritus of bad prose, weak scholarship, and flabby reasoning. Perhaps Peter Baehr's skeptical reconsideration of debates on the origins of academic sociology will change the landscape of this genre. His study of founders, classics, and canons in the historiography of sociology offers the reader fresh perspectives, lucid analyses, and carefully framed arguments, all underpinned by a formidable but unobtrusive command of sources in several disciplines."
--Guy Oakes, professor of philosophy and corporate values and Kvernland Endowed Chair in Philosophy and Corporate Social Policy, Monmouth University
"Drawing on an impressive number of sociological, social-theoretical and philosophical sources and written in a clear and sophisticated manner, Peter Baehr's book of 'synthesis and argument' (p. 1) is a work of exemplary scholarship, considerable scientific and educational experience and creative imagination. "
--European Journal of Social Theory
"Professor Baehr raises to a new level of theoretical self-awareness the 'traffic with the classics' which many sociological theorists routinely engage in, whether in teaching or in research. . . . He also contributes to our understanding of the conditions under which many significant sociological masterpieces were produced and recognized (or failed to be). . . . The work displays a rare combination of erudition, sophistication, and originality. It will establish its author as a front-rank member of his generation of practitioners of social theory."
--Gianfranco Poggi, professor of sociology, European University Institute, Florence
"[Peter Baehr] lifts to a new level our understanding of the complex processes whereby sociological classics emerge, often productively reshaped, after facing many cultural hurdles and surviving heavy barrages from rivals and critics. There is much more in this brilliant text than deconstructive pyrotechnics. Peter Baehr throws new light on a highly contentious field, ranging over the key and highly contested ideas of 'founder, ' 'canon, ' and 'classic.' His style is uniformly fresh, cool and penetrating. This book is likely to become a minor classic in its own right."
--Dennis Smith, professor of sociology, University of Loughborough, UK
"This is the most honest inquiry available on the deep conceptual and institutional issues that are often concealed by the 'canon wars' that have engulfed academia for the past generation. . . . Although Baehr is mainly focused on sociology, his discussion bears on all the human sciences. Throughout, Baehr displays an exquisite historical sensitivity, especially around the vexed issue of how and why women have been excluded from the sociological canon."
--Steve Fuller, Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick
"In this stunning work of disambiguation, Peter Baehr attains some remarkable clarities on the nature of classics (founders, canons) in social theory. It stands to reduce a good deal of pointless noise about these foundational questions."
--Donald N. Levine, Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Sociology, University of Chicago
"In his intelligent and critical guide to the professional debate about the classics of sociology, Peter Baehr skillfully investigates the controversies surrounding founders, founding texts, and foundational institutions. The result is an essential work on the notion of classicality in the discipline of sociology. . . . Baehr's lively text will itself serve to reinvigorate sociology's reading audience."
--Bryan S. Turner, University of Cambridge
"With depressingly few exceptions, the literature on 'classic sociology' or the 'sociological heritage' is dismal terrain, littered with the detritus of bad prose, weak scholarship, and flabby reasoning. Perhaps Peter Baehr's skeptical reconsideration of debates on the origins of academic sociology will change the landscape of this genre. His study of founders, classics, and canons in the historiography of sociology offers the reader fresh perspectives, lucid analyses, and carefully framed arguments, all underpinned by a formidable but unobtrusive command of sources in several disciplines."
--Guy Oakes, professor of philosophy and corporate values and Kvernland Endowed Chair in Philosophy and Corporate Social Policy, Monmouth University
"With depressingly few exceptions, the literature on 'classic sociology' or the 'sociological heritage' is dismal terrain, littered with the detritus of bad prose, weak scholarship, and flabby reasoning. Perhaps Peter Baehr's skeptical reconsideration of debates on the origins of academic sociology will change the landscape of this genre. His study of founders, classics, and canons in the historiography of sociology offers the reader fresh perspectives, lucid analyses, and carefully framed arguments, all underpinned by a formidable but unobtrusive command of sources in several disciplines."
-Guy Oakes, "Monmouth University"
"Peter Baehr is a clear and eloquent guide through the twists and turns of sociology's debates about its own heritage. He lifts to a new level our understanding of the complex processes whereby sociological classics emerge, often productively reshaped, after facing many cultural hurdles and surviving heavy barrages from rivals and critics. There is much more in this brilliant text than deconstructive pyrotechnics. Peter Baehr throws new light on a highly contentious field, ranging over the key and highly contested ideas of 'founder', 'cannon' and 'classic.' His style is uniformly fresh, cool and penetrating. This book is likely to become a minor classic in its own right."
Dennis Smith, "Loughborough University"
"Drawing on an impressive number of sociological, social-theoretical and philosophical sources and written in a clear and sophisticated manner, Peter Baehr's book of 'synthesis and argument' (p. 1) is a work of exemplary scholarship, considerable scientific and educational experience and creative imagination. " - " European Journal of Social Theory "
