‘[T]he editors of The Spirit of Luc Boltanski […] rightly call him the most prominent and innovative French sociologist since Bourdieu. The time is ripe for an assessment of his oeuvre so far’ —‘Canadian Journal of Sociology’

‘This superb volume offers a complete critical appraisal of Luc Boltanski’s major works. The range and depth of analysis in impressive. The individual chapters, authored by established scholars, are most insightful and the introductory and concluding chapters by the editors are exceptional.’ —Gerard Delanty, University of Sussex

‘Among the explorers of social life and its dynamics, Luc Boltanski is one of the greatest path-finders and path-blazers alive. The ideas he forms in successive reports of his findings are invariably as novel as the realities he investigates and indefatigably attempts, with great success, to catch in flight.’ —Zygmunt Bauman, Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds

‘Luc Boltanski has been among the most wide-ranging, creative, and influential of recent social scientists. His work has shaped and indeed helped to revive the tradition of pragmatist enquiry in sociology. This collection is the first comprehensive assessment of his work; it is exceptionally good, and it should be of interest to all social theorists and cultural sociologists.’ —Craig Calhoun, Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science

‘This is a book that is needed to understand the ideas and research dynamics of one of the greatest contemporary sociologists. This impressive collection of essays provides not only an introduction to his work, but also insightful analyses of its reception, critical discussions on its wider significance, and reflexive comments by Luc Boltanski himself, all of which will make this volume a classic.’ —Ève Chiapello, Research Director, School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), Paris

‘In his rich theoretical and empirical work, Boltanski has given new meaning to the notion of “critique” – away from the pretensions of academic radicals, toward actual human beings and their moral judgements. This impressively wide-ranging collection gives an excellent overview of the controversies about one of the most prominent French sociologists.’ —Hans Joas, Humboldt University of Berlin and University of Chicago

‘Luc Boltanski’s intellectual contribution stands out due to its impressive originality and multidimensionality. This insightful book succeeds in locating Boltanski’s work in an international and interdisciplinary terrain. It is a mustread for anyone who is interested in the far-reaching significance of Boltanski’s oeuvre.’ —Michèle Lamont, Acting Director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and Robert I. Goldman Professor of European Studies, Harvard University

‘This rich volume will help introduce Luc Boltanski’s sociology to unfamiliar readers, while at the same time advancing discussion of its potential and limitations.’ —Neil Gross, University of British Columbia

‘Simon Susen and Bryan S. Turner’s superb edited collection offers an exhaustive appraisal of Luc Boltanski’s contributions to sociology and social theory. Including several interviews and materials that were previously unavailable in English, no aspect of Boltanski’s work has been left untouched.’ —Daniel Chernilo, Loughborough University

‘This monumental book is destined to increase awareness and appreciation of Luc Boltanski’s impressive scholarship and the urgent relevance of his ideas to making sense of the inextricable moral and political dilemmas of local and global society.’ —Michele Dillon, University of New Hampshire

‘This superb volume offers a complete critical appraisal of Luc Boltanski’s major works. The range and depth of analysis in impressive. The individual chapters, authored by established scholars, are most insightful and the introductory and concluding chapters by the editors are exceptional.’ —Gerard Delanty, University of Sussex

‘Among the explorers of social life and its dynamics, Luc Boltanski is one of the greatest path-finders and path-blazers alive. The ideas he forms in successive reports of his findings are invariably as novel as the realities he investigates and indefatigably attempts, with great success, to catch in flight.’ —Zygmunt Bauman, Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds

‘Luc Boltanski has been among the most wide-ranging, creative, and influential of recent social scientists. His work has shaped and indeed helped to revive the tradition of pragmatist enquiry in sociology. This collection is the first comprehensive assessment of his work; it is exceptionally good, and it should be of interest to all social theorists and cultural sociologists.’ —Craig Calhoun, Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science

‘This is a book that is needed to understand the ideas and research dynamics of one of the greatest contemporary sociologists. This impressive collection of essays provides not only an introduction to his work, but also insightful analyses of its reception, critical discussions on its wider significance, and reflexive comments by Luc Boltanski himself, all of which will make this volume a classic.’ —Ève Chiapello, Research Director, School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), Paris

‘In his rich theoretical and empirical work, Boltanski has given new meaning to the notion of “critique” – away from the pretensions of academic radicals, toward actual human beings and their moral judgements. This impressively wide-ranging collection gives an excellent overview of the controversies about one of the most prominent French sociologists.’ —Hans Joas, Humboldt University of Berlin and University of Chicago

‘Luc Boltanski’s intellectual contribution stands out due to its impressive originality and multidimensionality. This insightful book succeeds in locating Boltanski’s work in an international and interdisciplinary terrain. It is a mustread for anyone who is interested in the far-reaching significance of Boltanski’s oeuvre.’ —Michèle Lamont, Acting Director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and Robert I. Goldman Professor of European Studies, Harvard University

‘This rich volume will help introduce Luc Boltanski’s sociology to unfamiliar readers, while at the same time advancing discussion of its potential and limitations.’ —Neil Gross, University of British Columbia

‘Simon Susen and Bryan S. Turner’s superb edited collection offers an exhaustive appraisal of Luc Boltanski’s contributions to sociology and social theory. Including several interviews and materials that were previously unavailable in English, no aspect of Boltanski’s work has been left untouched.’ —Daniel Chernilo, Loughborough University

‘This monumental book is destined to increase awareness and appreciation of Luc Boltanski’s impressive scholarship and the urgent relevance of his ideas to making sense of the inextricable moral and political dilemmas of local and global society.’ —Michele Dillon, University of New Hampshire