Originally published in 1974, Ritual in Industrial Society is based on several years' research including interviews and observations into the importance of ritual in industrial society within modern Britain. The book addresses how identity and meaning for people of all occupations and social classes can be derived through rituals and provides an expansive and diverse examination of how rituals are used in society, including in birth, marriage and death. The book offers an examination into the use of symbolic action in the body to articulate experiences which words cannot adequately handle and suggests that this enables modern men and women to overcome the mind-body splits which characterise modern technological society. In addition to this, the book examines ritual as a tool for articulating and sharing religious experiences, a point often overlooked by more intellectual approaches to religion in sociology. In addition to this, the book covers an exploration into ritual in social groups and how this is used to develop a sense of belonging among members. The book will be of interest to sociologists as well as academics of religion and theology, social workers and psychotherapists.

taking modernism as a cultural problem may not be accommodated either. So it is hard to recommend this book. If Pippin has failed, however, he has not failed at something easy. The task of writing a small and manageable book about some of the cultural issues that Pippin mentions is both extremely difficult and extremely worthwhile. I doubt that the right way of exhibiting their depth is to find a full-blown philosophical tradition to underpin them, let alone a tradition as tied

Part 1 Social dimensions: family and household, Helen Crowley - readings from Harriet Bradley, R. Pahl, Sylvia Walby and Nancy Chodorow lifestyles and consumption, Robert Bocock - readings from J. Baudrillard, D. Miller, M. Featherstone and R. Williams health, the self and social interaction, David Boswell - readings from C. Baron, H.V. Haynes and R.D. King, and P. Sedgewick the body and sexuality, Jeffrey Weeks - readings from C. Vance, J. Weeks, F. Mort, L. Davidoff, S. Webb, V. Amos and P. Parmar, and K. Plummer conclusion to part 1. Part 2 Cultural dimensions: religion, values and ideology, Kenneth Thompson - readings from J.A. Beckford popular culture and the mass media, Celia Lury - readings from R. Williams and W. Benjamin education and knowledge, Geoffrey Whitty - readings from S. Bowles and H. Gintis, R. Moore, R. Dale, S. Ball, and P. Willis the city and the metropolis, James Donald - readings from G. Simmel and M. Berman conclusion to part 2 summary and conclusion.

Ontology and critique Adorno and Heidegger critical theory and reconciliation Kant and critical theory Habermas and rationality Heidegger and Marxism psychoanalysis and critical theory - a Lacanian perspective Heidegger and psychotherapy.