Author Biography
NORBERT ELIAS (1897-1990) was one of the greatest sociologists of the twentieth century His writings appeal to scholars far beyond his own discipline of sociology. They extend the theory of civilising processes in major contributions to the historical understanding of the growth of knowledge and the sciences, of sport and leisure, of art and literature, and of the interweaving of biological evolution with psychological and social developments over the whole span of human society.
Description
The complete edition of 18 volumes of the Collected Works of Norbert Elias in English. Elias wrote in both English and German, and in all his work runs to 14 books and around 90 other essays, along with poems and numerous interviews. The 18 volumes of the Collected Works contain many writings not previously published in English, and a small number never published before. All of the texts have been thoroughly checked and revised, by editors who have a deep knowledge of Elias' thinking; they have inserted many clarifications, cross-references and explanatory notes. The scholarly editions of the Collected Works replace all earlier editions of Elias' work, and are indispensable for everyone who makes reference to his writings. The complete set of 18 titles consists of: 9781904558392 Vol. 1 Early Writings; 9781904558408 Vol. 2 The Court Society; 9781906359041 Vol. 3 On the Process of Civilisation; 9781904558927 Vol. 4 The Established and the Outsiders; 9781906359058 Vol. 5 What is Sociology?; 9781906359065 Vol. 6 Loneliness of the Dying & Humana Condition; 9781904558439 Vol. 7 Quest for Excitement; 9781904558422 Vol. 8 Involvement and Detachment; 9781904558415 Vol.9 An Essay on Time; 9781906359072 Vol. 10 The Society of Individuals; 9781906359089 Vol. 11 Studies on the Germans; 9781906359096 Vol. 12 Mozart & Other Essays on Courtly Art; 9781906359102 Vol. 13 The Symbol Theory; 9781906359010 Vol. 14 Essays I: On the Sociology of Knowledge and the Sciences; 9781906359027 Vol. 15 Essays II: On Civilising Processes, State Formation and National Identity; and, 9781906359034 Vol. 16 Essays III: On Sociology & the Humanities. It also includes: 9781906359119 Vol. 17 Interviews & Autobiographical Reflections; and, 9781906359126 Vol. 18 Supplements & Index to Collected. Works
"In many ways the notes by the editors which preface these volumes can ... be read as biographical illustrations of Elias's own ongoing intellectual meditations on the tensions between involvement and detachment, and with his continuing personal and professional confrontation with the problem of time."
"well worth the dedicated study and patient reflection [it] demand[s] of readers."
Canadian Journal of Sociology 33
(1) 3008
"The enterprise of publishing the collected works of Norbert Elias under the editorship of Richard Kilminster and Stephen Mennell by University College Dublin Press is an extremely important contribution to the contemporary intellectual and academic scene. Norbert Elias was one of the most original minds in the human and social sciences in the 20th century – his work covers not only a very broad range of sociological topics starting with his classical The Civilising Process and later The Court Society, but also many topics ranging from sociology of knowledge to sociology of sport and analysis of historical processes; the broad philosophical problems, such as the idea of the place of the progress of symbolic dimensions in social life. This is really a monumental enterprise, very worthwhile and very constructive, presenting a great challenge to the contemporary intellectual and academic scene – and UCD Press should be congratulated in undertaking this enterprise."
S. N. Eisenstadt
Jerusalem, 24 July 2008
"Too easily the editors and readers of Books Ireland take it as given that Irish publishers’ books are mostly about Ireland or by Irish writers. We wish it were not so because we think our publishers are of world class, and a shining exception and exemplar is this series of eighteen volumes of the life’s work in English – some of his work was written in German – of Elias (1897–1990) whose major theme was the theory of civilising processes … Norbert is very interesting on the subject as well as on the dynamics of sports, social (and especially male) bonding, violence and football hooliganism. These books are in the very best tradition of design, with acid-free paper, sewn bindings, cloth boards, coloured endpapers, spine labels and acetate jackets."
Books Ireland
Nov 08
'The Collected Works of Norbert Elias that is being published by University College Dublin Press. Eighteen volumes are planned. The production is exemplary, from binding and paper quality through the editorial care. Earlier translations have been corrected and changes noted; editors’ notes explain circumstances within which Elias wrote and clarify references he makes to lesser known authors and contemporary events.'
Canadian Journal of Sociology 35(4) 2010
Twitter: @UCDPress