Story of Sociology traces the development of the subject from the Enlightenment, with its fierce debates concerning morality, science and progress, to present-day concerns about modernity and postmodernity. It has been welcomed by a leading figure in the field, Jeffrey C Alexander at Yale University, as ‘a brilliant synthetic essay of theoretical importance in its own right’.  

Professor McLennan, who is also Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies at Bristol, said: ‘It’s not completely easy-going, because it’s an overview based on years of thinking about and debating the nature and scope of sociology as a discipline. But it’s done in a conversational style, which people are saying works really well – and it’s got a lovely cover!’

Story of Sociology, published by Bloomsbury, has its official launch at a reception this week at the 60th anniversary British Sociological Association conference.