Over the last twenty years the Journal of Historical Sociology has redefined what historical sociology can be. These essays by internationally distinguished historians, sociologists, anthropologists and geographers bring together the very best of the JHS. Volume 1 focuses on the British state, Volume 2 on the journal s wider interdisciplinary challenges. The first in a two-volume anthology representing the best articles published in The Journal of Historical Sociology over the last twenty years. Includes essays, debates and responses written by internationally distinguished historians, sociologists, anthropologists and geographers as well as by pioneering newer scholars have been influential in challenging and redefining the field of historical sociology. Spans a range of issues and topics that combine rich empirical scholarship with sophisticated theoretical engagement, bringing together the very best of the JHS. A collection of essays on state formation from medieval times to the present, focussing mainly on the British state.

Over the last twenty years the Journal of HistoricalSociology has redefined what historical sociology can be. Theseessays by internationally distinguished historians, sociologistsanthropologists and geographers bring together the very best of theJHS. Volume 1 focuses on the British state, Volume 2 on thejournal's wider interdisciplinary challenges.* The first in a two-volume anthology representing the bestarticles published in The Journal of Historical Sociologyover the last twenty years.* Includes essays, debates and responses written byinternationally distinguished historians, sociologistsanthropologists and geographers as well as by pioneering newerscholars have been influential in challenging and redefining thefield of historical sociology.* Spans a range of issues and topics that combine rich empiricalscholarship with sophisticated theoretical engagement, bringingtogether the very best of the JHS.* A collection of essays on state formation from medieval timesto the present, focussing mainly on the British state.

Foreword: A Curious Little Magazine.Introduction.Part I: Perspectives:.1. Notes on the Difficulty of Studying The State: Philip Abrams(JHS Vol. 1, No. 1, 1988).2. The Genesis of American Capitalism: An Historical InquiryInto State Theory: Claude Denis (JHS Vol. 2, No. 41989).3. Who Needs The Nation? Interrogating "British"History: Antoinette Burton (JHS Vol. 10, No. 3, 1997).Part II: Studies:.4. The Peculiarities of the English State: G.E. Aylmer(JHS Vol. 3, No. 2, 1990).5. Engla Lond: The Making of an Allegiance: Patrick Wormald(JHS Vol. 7, No. 1, 1994).6. The Beginnings of English Imperialism: John Gillingham(JHS Vol. 5, No. 4, 1992).7. The English State and the 'Celtic' Peoples1100-1400: Rees Davis (JHS Vol. 6, No. 1, 1993).8. Hand and Mouth: Information Gathering and Use in England inthe Later Middle Ages: Colin Richmond (JHS Vol. 1, No. 31988).9. Civilizing Northumberland: Representations of Englishness inthe Tudor State: Steven G. Ellis (JHS Vol. 12, No. 21999).10. Science, Power, Bodies: The Mobilization of Nature as StateFormation: Patrick Carroll (JHS Vol. 9, No. 2, 1996).11. The Rise of the Information State: The Development ofCentral State Surveillance of the Citizen in England, 1500-2000:Edward Higgs (JHS Vol. 14, No. 2, 2001).Part III: Debates:.When/What Was the English State?:.12. Gerald Aylmer And DGOS: Derek Sayer (JHS Vol. 15, No.1, 2002).13. When/What Was the English State: The Later Middle Ages?:Colin Richmond (JHS Vol. 15, No. 1, 2002).14. 'The State as Monarchical Commonwealth':'Tudor' England: Patrick Collinson (JHS Vol.15No 1, 2002).15. The Medieval State: The Tyranny Of A Concept?: Rees Davis(JHS Vol.16, No. 2, 2003).16. There Were States in Medieval Europe: A Response to ReesDavis: Susan Reynolds (JHS Vol. 16, No. 4, 2003).The Ghost of Max Weber:.17. Contentions of the Purse between England and its EuropeanRivals from Henry V To George IV: A Conversation With Michael Mann:Patrick Karl O'Brien (JHS Vol. 19, No. 4, 2006).18. Putting the Weberian State in its Social, Geopolitical andMilitaristic Context: A Response To Patrick O'Brien: MichaelMann (JHS Vol. 19, No. 4, 2006).Index