Tab Article

Genre: Academic, Sociology, Textbook
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 - For its academic purpose)

Book Review:
This book is the second volume in Ronald Fletcher's ambitious and comprehensive series tracing the intellectual history of sociology. ''Developments'' focuses on the crucial theoretical expansions that occurred between the turn of the 20th century and the Second World War. Fletcher expertly guides the reader through the foundational contributions of key figures like Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Sigmund Freud.

The book's strength lies in its clear and lively critical commentary, making complex theoretical shifts accessible. Fletcher argues that this period was not a rejection of earlier ideas but a necessary refinement and deepening, moving sociology toward more testable, definitive theories. It is an essential scholarly resource for university students and anyone with a serious interest in understanding the evolution of sociological thought. The scope is truly impressive, providing a solid foundation for grasping the discipline's core developments.