Making sense of modern times : Peter L. Berger and the vision of interpretive sociology /

Peter Berger is one of the most prolific scholars working in sociology today. Not only are his writings wide-ranging, they also maintain an amazingly high level of quality. Although it is not stated as such, this volume is really a festschrift for Berger; authors of the essays are his friends and former students. Often, essays in collections of this type vary considerably in quality; this is not the case here. Nicholas Abercrombie's article, for example, is an excellent overview of Berger's work, showing particularly the influence of Max Weber, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and George H. Mead on Berger's treatment of the concept of social reality, the dilectical method, and social psychology. Robert Wuthnow's fine essay on Berger's work in religion is particularly articulate in explaining Berger's core arguments. Berger's writing is so lucid that one is often tempted to accuse him of oversimplification until one realizes the impact of what he has really said. Berger's approach to sociological phenomena is analytical and descriptive, more in the tradition of classic scholars in the field. He thus stands outside the current sociological mainstream, which emphasizes quantitative assessment. Complete bibliography of Berger's work and a general bibliography. Highly recommended for undergraduates in the social sciences, humanities, and religion.-R.V. Gardner, University of Rhode Island