`The strengths of this text are the breadth of theories covered; the integration of gender-related topics - family, work, religion; the use of substantial quotes from primary texts; the consistent inclusion of methodological issues.…I have no doubt that it will find a solid position in the field of theory texts' - Kathleen Slobin, North Dakota State University The popular Pine Forge Press textbook, Sociological Theory, has been broken into two volumes, to meet the needs of lecturers and students. Contemporary Sociological Theory covers developments in the discipline from the 1930s and includes important new voices in social theory, including 14 female theorists. The treatment of individual theories and theorists is balanced with the development of key themes and ideas about social life, including race, class and gender.