Over the last three decades, the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu has produced one of the most imaginative and subtle bodies of social theory and research of the post war era. Yet, despite the influence of his work, no single introduction to his wide-ranging "oeuvre" is available. This book, intended for an English-speaking audience, offers a systematic and accessible overview, providing interpretive keys to the internal logic of Bourdieu's work by explicating thematic and methodological principles underlying his work. The structure of Bourdieu's theory of knowledge, practice, and society is first dissected by Loï c Wacquant; he then collaborates with Bourdieu in a dialogue in which they discuss central concepts of Bourdieu's work, confront the main objections and criticisms his work has met, and outline Bourdieu's views of the relation of sociology to philosophy, economics, history, and politics. The final section captures Bourdieu in action in the seminar room as he addresses the topic of how to practice the craft of reflexive sociology. Throughout, they stress Bourdieu's emphasis on reflexivity--his inclusion of a theory of intellectual practice as an integral component of a theory of society--and on method--particularly his manner of posing problems that permits a transfer of knowledge from one area of inquiry into another. Amplified by notes and an extensive bibliography, this synthetic view is essential reading for both students and advanced scholars. Pierre Bourdieu is Professor of Sociology at the Collè ge de France. Loï c J. D. Wacquant is a Junior Fellow, Society of Fellows, Harvard University.

皮埃尔·布迪厄是法国当代著名社会学家。1954年毕业于巴黎高等师范学院。1960年在巴黎大学人文学院担任助教，曾担任阿隆的助手。后在里尔大学任教3年。从1968年起，但任欧洲社会学中心主任至今。1982年成为法兰西学院唯一的一名社会学教授。主要著作包括：《实践理论大纲》、《区隔》、《教育、社会和文化的再生产》、《学术人》、《实践的逻辑》、《换句话说》、《语言与符号暴力》以及《悲惨世界》等。

华康德是美国加州大学伯克利分校教授。同时也在布迪厄主持的欧洲社会学中心从事研究工作，他现在是英语世界中介绍布迪厄理论最不遗余力的一位学者。他本人则通过对黑人拳击手的经验研究去应用和发展布迪厄的理论。