The work of E. P. Thompson as historian, socialist and peace activist has been enormously influential. Yet attempts to assess the impact of his work as a whole - perhaps because of the very diversity of his contributions - have been rare. This book attempts such an evaluation, bringing together a range of authors who, in original essays, assess the main dimensions of Thompson's work. Contributors include, Harvey Kaye, Keith McClelland, Renato Rosaldo, Kate Soper, Robbie Gray, Martin Shaw, Catherine Hall, Geoff Eley, and John Goode.

The book is written from a critical but sympathetic standpoint. It makes a very substantial contribution to the scholarly and practical appraisal of Thompson's ideas.

Harvey J. Kaye is an American historian and sociologist. He is currently the Director of the Center for History and Social Change at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.