Stretching the Sociological Imagination

"This collection is evidence of why the British Sociological Association awarded John Eldridge a Distinguished Service to British Sociology Award. Following the themes of his work, it offers a series of original essays on the sociology of work and industry, social theory and the sociology of the media. Characteristically, Eldridge himself is a generous contributor to the collective enterprise. Reading these essays will remind established practitioners and show new readers why we value our discipline of sociology." - Lynn Jamieson, University of Edinburgh, UK

"This is sociology at its best: a provocative, informed, clearly-written collection of essays which throws exciting new light on such diverse areas as industry, the mass media, and social theory. In all these respects this volume is a wonderfully appropriate tribute to John Eldridge, a sociologist whose enduring modesty is matched by an absolute commitment to an imaginative sociology that can translate private troubles into public issues. Not that you need to know John Eldridge or his work to appreciate these essays in his honour. His influence and inspiration and breadth of scholarship inform every chapter." - Laurie Taylor, Host of BBC Radio 4's Thinking Allowed

"This book is a rare treat constituting as it does a collection of specially commissioned writings to honour John Eldridge's contribution to British and indeed world sociology. All of the chapters are written by scholars who have either worked with or been mentored by John in his long and distinguished career. The three main sections of the book cover the Sociology of Work and Industry, Social Theory and the Sociology of the Media. All areas of sociology where John has made outstanding contributions to both theory and research. The chapters illustrate different facets of John Eldridge's work and also demonstrate his profound influence on the generations of sociologists and social researchers who had the good fortune to have worked with him. In all a great tribute to a great sociologist and humanitarian." - Peter Cressey, University of Bath, UK

"This volume honours one of British sociology's major figures by gathering together a series of first-rate essays. These amply reveal and also exemplify the range of his writing and teaching-from pioneering studies of work and industrial conflict to major, equally pioneering studies of journalistic practice and the power of the media, along with probing commentaries on social theory. They further honour him by displaying his distinctive virtues: a robust, unpretentious theoretical approach, a resolute concern for empirical evidence, and a constant awareness of the interactions between sociology and political life." - Steven Lukes, New York University, USA

"This book celebrates John Eldridge whose work spans social theory and the sociology of industry and the media. His work consistently engaged with key questions of public concern ranging from industrial disputes to debates about impartiality on television news, and he pioneered methods and approaches to understanding society and social change.

This collection of essays demonstrates the profound influence of one man on a discipline, and on the scholars with whom he worked (I was lucky enough to obtain my second job at the Glasgow Media Group working with him myself). These essays also reflect of the state of sociology today, and raise profound questions about its future." - Jenny Kitzinger, Cardiff University, UK