Durkheim is Dead!: Sherlock Holmes is Introduced to Social Theory
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. (Rebecca Plante, Department of Sociology, Wittenberg University)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. (Philip K. JonesSherlokiana.Net)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. (Midwest Book Review, Jan. 2004)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. (Michael Kimmel, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Stony Brook University)