Conversations with Anthony Giddens: Making Sense of Modernity [Paperback]

Anthony Giddens (Author), Christopher Fierson (Author), Christopher Pierson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999

Anthony Giddens has been described as 'the most important English social philosopher of our time'. Over twenty-five years, and even more books, he has established himself as the most widely-read and widely-cited social theorist of his generation. His ideas have profoundly influenced the writing and teaching of sociology and social theory throughout the English-speaking world. In recent years, his writing has become much more explicitly political, and in 1996 he took up his high-profile appointment as Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science. It is in this new position and with these new political ideas that he has been described as the key intellectual figure of New Labour in Britain. Following the astonishing success of Labour in the 1997 General Election, his ideas have been the focus of intense interest.In this series of extended interviews with Chris Pierson, Giddens lays out with customary clarity and directness the principal themes in the development of his social theory and the distinctive political agenda which he recommends. This volume will be of great interest to second- and third-year students in sociology and social theory, politics and political theory, as well as to the general reader.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[An] illuminating book." The Independent "For those seeking to come to grips with these advances in social theory Conversations with Anthony Giddens offers an excellent introduction. [This book] shows powerfully that he is one of the few contemporary theorists to cross the divide that separates the academic world from the broader public sphere." The Australian "Remarkably accessible ... and is the most revealing document so far concerning Giddens's background and career." The Times Higher Education Supplement "Anthony Giddens has earned a considerable reputation among social scientists over the past three decades as a theorist. Though important within the academy, such reputations have a limited cachet in the world at large. Recently, though, Giddens has attained bona fide celebrity, or at least demicelebrity, status outside the cloisters, in his related roles as director of the London School of Economics and intellectual darling of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's New Labour party. His name by now must be a household word in his native Britain, given the frequency with which he is mentioned in the media there. On this side of the Atlantic as well, he has been interviewed, cited as expert, and his ideas variously praised and panned in a wide variety of non-academic, even mainstream media...Those with even a passing interest in Giddens are likely to find this book useful, as Giddens summarizes his ideas with unusual succinctness" Christopher J. Richter, Communication Theory Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"[An] illuminating book." The Independent

"For those seeking to come to grips with these advances in social theory Conversations with Anthony Giddens offers an excellent introduction. [This book] shows powerfully that he is one of the few contemporary theorists to cross the divide that separates the academic world from the broader public sphere." The Australian

"Remarkably accessible ... and is the most revealing document so far concerning Giddens's background and career." The Times Higher Education Supplement

"Anthony Giddens has earned a considerable reputation among social scientists over the past three decades as a theorist. Though important within the academy, such reputations have a limited cachet in the world at large. Recently, though, Giddens has attained bona fide celebrity, or at least demicelebrity, status outside the cloisters, in his related roles as director of the London School of Economics and intellectual darling of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's New Labour party. His name by now must be a household word in his native Britain, given the frequency with which he is mentioned in the media there. On this side of the Atlantic as well, he has been interviewed, cited as expert, and his ideas variously praised and panned in a wide variety of non-academic, even mainstream media...Those with even a passing interest in Giddens are likely to find this book useful, as Giddens summarizes his ideas with unusual succinctness" Christopher J. Richter, Communication Theory Book Review

<!--end--> --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Stanford University Press (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804735697
• ISBN-13: 978-0804735698
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,217,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Never Judge a Book by its Name, April 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Conversations with Anthony Giddens: Making Sense of Modernity (Paperback)

This book is a very simple interview of Giddens. Though he has enjoyed a worldwide reputation as one of the most important contemporary sociologists, his books tend to simplify many practical issues. It is even more serious as to the transcript of an interview. Young learners might find it helpful to read Giddens's thoeries in plain languages and a Q/A fashion. But those who have mid-term understanding can be dissapointed by the shallowness.

In fact, as the Labour Party came into power, the borderline between scholarship and political influence seems to get blurry for Giddens. He is deemed the mentor for Tony Blair, and his doctrines appear to be closer to political slogans. Readers should examine the coherence of his theories, and scrutinize them more carefully.

4.0 out of 5 stars Giddens primer, October 19, 2011

By 

SophiaCyberGirl - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Conversations with Anthony Giddens: Making Sense of Modernity (Polity Conversations Series) (Paperback)

This book is a really good introduction to the work of Giddens. It is a collection of conversations between Anthony Giddens and Christopher Pierson, that explores Giddens work in an informal style. Very good as a primer.