Author Description

"This timely book provides the definite concise introduction to the phenomenon of Zygmunt Bauman. After introducing the man, his major influences and his special way of 'thinking sociologically', Blackshaw traces the development of Bauman's project by identifying and explaining the major shifts of emphasis in his work - the break with Marxism and the postmodern 'turn' and the subsequent refocusing on 'liquid' modernity - as well as offering a clear and accessible guide to the key conceptual hinges which move the reader from one to the other." "The book goes on to explain the importance of the full range of persistent themes concerning Bauman, dealing specifically with individualization, freedom, identity, community, social control, consumption and waste, building a penetrating understanding of why these issues matter for this Key Sociologist." "The book assumes no prior familiarity with Bauman's work and will appeal to anyone wishing to get acquainted with the ideas of one of the world's most wide-ranging thinkers."--Jacket.