Zygmunt Bauman: Prophet of Postmodernity

'Dennis Smith has provided by far the most comprehensive, critical overview of perhaps the foremost theorist of postmodernity. By situating Bauman's ideas in relation to other contemporary theorists, Smith's volume will be a wonderful text for both students and professors.' Steven Seidman, author of Contested Knowledge: Social theory in the postmodern era

'This superb introduction to the thought of one of the leading contemporary social theorists is both comprehensive, entirely reliable and written in a clear and approachable manner. This is the book Bauman's many admirers have been waiting for, and it will undoubtedly swell their numbers.' William Outhwaite, University of Sussex

'A very accessible introduction.' Choice

'This book is both an introduction to the main themes of Bauman's work and an intellectual biography. Smith is clear, unpretentious, and unfailingly accurate, with a remarkably sound eye for what is significant and what is not, and for what will maintain the book's narrative drive. As a guide for the perplexed or just plain curious it could hardly be bettered.' British Journal of Sociology

'Dennis Smith's book is part of Polity's series of Key Contemporary Thinkers, and on this evidence it is shaping up to be a worthwhile set of texts. He has not written a "Beginner's Guide to Bauman", but rather an in-depth piece of work which includes some lengthy correspondence with Bauman.' Contemporary Politics