As science and technology have pervaded modern life to an ever greater degree, social scientists have been led to find questions of the causes and consequences of 'expert' knowledge arising in places that would have been felt unlikely hitherto. Varcoe, McNeil and Yearley's book assembles nine exemplary studies by sociologists, each of which explores an aspect of the current scientific-technological 'revolution'. Some popular ideas are challenged. So, too, implicitly, are certain large-scale social scientific theories claiming to have discerned in science and technology an overall meaning.

In "Culture, Modernity and Revolution" a group of internationally renowned sociologists from East and West, come together to honor Zygmunt Bauman. Their essays not only honor the man, but provide important contributions to the three interlinked themes that could be said to form the guiding threads of Bauman's life and work: power, culture and modernity. "Culture, Modernity and Revolution" is both a remarkable sociological commentary on the problems facing East-Central Europe and an exposition of some of the key, hitherto neglected, features of the modern cultural universe.
The book has a unity of purpose. In no sense is it a development of Bauman's ideas by followers: its editors retain a critical distance and seek to present the man and his ideas to a wide audience. It will be of interest to sociologists, philosophers, political scientists and students of culture.

In Culture, Modernity and Revolution a group of distinguished sociologists and social philosophers reflect upon the major concerns of Zygmunt Bauman. Their essays not only honour the man, but provide important contributions to the three interlinked themes that could be said to form the guiding threads of Bauman's life work: power, culture and modernity. Culture, Modernity and Revolution is both a remarkable sociological commentary on the problems facing East-Central Europe and an exposition of some of the key, hitherto neglected, features of the modern cultural universe.