Durkheim is Dead!

In this sociology textbook/mystery novel, students can join Sherlock Holmes and Watson as they discover a new area ripe for acrimony and intrigue: social theory. In 1910, the most prominent social theorists in the world gather in London for a conference on the new science of sociology. Things rapidly fall apart, though, as a fight breaks out, a jewel is stolen, and famous sociologist Emile Durkheim disappears. As Sherlock Holmes and Watson investigate, it appears that social theory may not only explain actions—in this case, it may be the cause of them. So Holmes and Watson investigate social theory itself, learning directly from those creating it: W.E.B. Du Bois, Sigmund Freud, Vladimir Lenin, Beatrice Webb, Georg Simmel, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber. The theories, lives, and passions of each sociologist are revealed as Holmes and Watson learn first-hand just how influential social theory can be.

Evoking the style of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, Durkheim is Dead! is a great way to expose students to social theory. The book is engaging, unique, and well-constructed. Readers will appreciate the easy-to-follow coverage of the major theorists—Durkheim, Freud, and Weber among them—along with the clever mystery that Berger develops. This is a creative and innovative entry into theory, absolutely suitable for introductory courses and anyone interested in social theory., The entire book presents a set of three neat mysteries, each of which is solved in typical ratiocinative fashion by Holmes. . . . The arguments and theories were made quite understandable and, even more importantly, the thinkers themselves came alive and spoke as real people. . . . The thoughts and views expressed came the closest to those I would expect from the Master as any I have read for a long time., Durkheim is Dead! is a unique introduction to theories of sociology, as it presents the theories of W.E.B. Du Bois, Sigmund Freud, Vladimir Lenin, Beatrice Webb, and others in the unique format of a Sherlock Holmes mystery novel. . . . A unique, entertaining, and educationally impressive means of teaching the reader about social science—and will prove fascinating to all Sherlock Holmes mystery enthiusiasts., Sociology's mysteries are revealed through this literate and delightful romp through the classics. Marvelously written and engaging, Durkheim is Dead! is an ideal way to teach sociology's foundations.

Arthur Asa Berger, retired professor from San Francisco State University, is the author of over 40 books, including the mystery novel/textbook Postmortem for a Postmodernist, and editor of The Postmodern Presence: Readings on Postmodernism in American Culture and Society.