George C. Homans

'What a great idea is George C. Homans: History, Theory, and Method! It is surprising how little of Homans's work is outdated. Its outstanding clarity and originality is an oasis in most of contemporary sociological "theory."' Karl-Dieter Opp, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Leipzig 'With rigor, clarity, and a wide-ranging intellectual purview, George C. Homans: History, Theory, and Method does George Homans proud. It both reflects and builds upon the breadth of his accomplishments as a social scientist and all-around scholar. In my imagination, I can still hear George's booming voice. He was never one to shy away from judgments-and I am sure he would have heartily endorsed this overview of his contributions. Readers can see why great thinkers like Homans are those best able to cross boundaries and make connections across diverse fields of study.' Theda Skocpol, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology, Harvard University George C. Homans: History, Theory, and Methods offers original essays written by scholars from the fields of sociology, history, anthropology, and literature with the aim of assessing Homans' rich and diverse intellectual contributions. It is the first volume in over thirty years to offer a reappraisal of the life and work of one of the twentieth century's leading social scientists.