This book examines Durkheim's considerable achievements and situates them in their social and intellectual contexts, with a concise account of the major elements of Durkheim's sociology. The book includes a critical commentary on the four main studies which exemplify Durkheim's contribution to sociology: The Division of Labour in Society; Suicide; The Rules of Sociological Method and The Elementary Forms of Religious Life.

1. Introduction 2. Life and Intellectual Background 3. The Work 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Sociology: Its Nature and Programme 3.3 Definitions and Concepts 3.4 The Division of Labour in Society 3.5 The Rules of Sociological Method 3.6 Suicide 3.7 Religion and Knowledge: The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life 3.8 Politics 3.9 Education