Erving Goffman and modern sociology

The work of Erving Goffman has had an enormous impact throughout the social sciences. Yet his writings have not received the detailed scrutiny which they deserve. This work offers a comprehensive study of Goffman's career as a whole. It provides an accessible and lively account of Goffman's contributions, ranging in its scope from his very earliest work right up to the projects upon which he was engaged at the time of his death. Goffman's writings, Manning argues, are much more systematic and conceptually powerful than is ordinarily acknowledged. The book thus offers a defense of Goffman's work, but also serves as an introduction for those who have no prior acquaintance with Goffman's ideas.