Max Weber: Selections in Translation

In this volume, Mr Runciman has selected extracts, from Max Weber's writings which reflect the full range of his major concerns: the nature of domination in human society, the role of ideas in history, the social determinants of religion, the origin and impact of industrial capitalism and the scope and limits of social science itself. He has also included some shorter extracts from Weber's less familiar writings on such diverse topics as the stock exchange and the history of the piano.

'The volume as a whole amply fulfils the editor's intention to produce 'a selection which will, so far as is possible within a single volume, give the English-speaking reader an overall picture of Weber's contribution to the remarkably wide range of topics in the social sciences to which he addressed himself over his career.' Economic Journal, 'Mr Runciman's carefully edited selections (fluently, indeed brilliantly, translated by Mr Matthews) offer a most serviceable introduction. The oeuvre of a giant is not easily condensed: but most of these selections go right to the core of what Weber had to say about methodology, about religion, bureaucracy and law, and of his contributions to comparative economic history.' The Observer, 'The editor has trusted his own good judgement, including some familiar pieces and some unfamiliar ones, and he has modestly kept his own comments to a minimum. The translator has worked to great effect. And the publisher has produced a very elegant book. The result is a first-class collection, the best of its kind.' New Society