Nations and Nationalism

"Over ten years after his death, Gellner's impact remains unparalleled. We are captivated by the explanatory power of Gellner's crystalline prose enriched by flowing sequences of causations. The reader is typically enchanted by Gellner's logical rigour as if mesmerised by the contemplation of an art masterpiece. We should wonder whether we are dealing with a scholar or with a poet. The answer is probably both." Nations and Nationalism

"Breuilly’s new introduction provides an excellent critical overview of Gellner’s writings on nationalism, judiciously evaluating his ideas while also providing insights into their place and continuing significance within the wider historiography of nationalism studies." Paul Lawrence, The Open University

"Nations and Nationalism has become such an intrinsic part of the standard literature that it is regularly cited by both those who share its views and those who distinguish their approach from Gellner’s."
Totalitarian Movements and Political Religions

"The second edition of this canonical text comes with a compelling Introduction by John Breuilly which revisits Gellner's theory in the light of contemporary debates on nationalism.” Umut Özkýrýmlý, Istanbul Bilgi University

reviews of the first edition:

"Brilliant, provocative ... a great book." New Statesman

"An important book ... a new starting line from which all subsequent discussions of nationalism will have to begin." New Society

"A better explanation than anyone has yet offered of why nationalism is such a prominent principle of political legitimacy today ... a terse and forceful work ... the product of great intellectual energy and an impressive range of knowledge." Times Literary Supplement

"Gellner's short book is an incisive, penetrating and persuasive discussion of how the nation-states of the modern industrial world differ from earlier states ... Gellner uses this analysis to explain the force of nationalism in the modern world." International Security

"Gellner's range is wide, covering the ideas of some modern thinkers from Marx, Malinowski and Carr to heideggar, Hroch, Havel and Said." Race and Class