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Randall Collins

    January 1, 1941

    Randall Collins is an influential American sociologist and theorist, focusing on the macro-historical sociology of political and economic change, micro-sociology of face-to-face interaction, and the sociology of intellectuals and social conflict. His work deeply explores how societies are created and destroyed through human emotional behaviors. Considered a leading non-Marxist conflict theorist, his academic writings have been translated into numerous languages. Collins has significantly contributed to the understanding of social phenomena through his extensive research and publications.

    Randall Collins
    Degenerations of Democracy
    Habermas and Religion
    Charisma
    Civil War Two, Part 1
    Violence
    Interaction Ritual Chains
    • 2023

      The US Army has developed a secret base in the outback of Australia with the aim of controlling time travel. When a young Australian man, Matthew Fraser, inadvertently interferes with the Army's latest experiment, he is ruthlessly hunted down and captured. After exhibiting the ability to bounce back a few minutes in time, Matthew is used as a pawn by the Army while they try to replicate his power of time travel. Meanwhile, terrorists hatch a plot to explode three nuclear bombs within the United States. Now Matthew and his new-found colleagues hope to use his abilities in a race against time to thwart the terrorists in their desire to unleash a nuclear nightmare.

      Timeslip
    • 2022

      Craig Calhoun, Dilip Gaonkar, and Charles Taylor argue that democracies have embraced individual freedom at the expense of equality and solidarity, economic growth at the expense of democracy. Rebuilding local communities and large-scale institutions is now crucial, with attention to the public good beyond private advantage or ingroup loyalty.

      Degenerations of Democracy
    • 2022

      Explosive Conflict

      • 320 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      What determines how long conflict lasts and how much damage it does? Inequality and hostility are not enough to explain when and where violence breaks out. Collins shows what makes some protests more violent than others and why some revolutions are swift and non-violent tipping-points while others devolve into lengthy civil wars.

      Explosive Conflict
    • 2020

      Charisma

      Micro-sociology of Power and Influence

      • 124 pages
      • 5 hours of reading

      Exploring the nature of charisma, Randall Collins examines its role in generating influence and power through historical figures such as Jesus, Cleopatra, and Churchill. By analyzing how charisma shaped their leadership and legacy, he provides insights into its significance in society. The book offers a compelling look at the dynamics of charisma and its impact on both individuals and broader historical movements.

      Charisma
    • 2020

      Midair

      • 248 pages
      • 9 hours of reading

      Midair is a true account of one of the most remarkable tales of survival in the history of aviation - a midair collision at 30,000 feet by two bomb-laden B-52s over a category 5 super typhoon above the South China Sea during the outset of the Vietnam War - and the subsequent story of what happened to the surviving pilot when he bailed out in the middle of the typhoon.

      Midair
    • 2020

      Trust-Based Observations

      • 188 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      Trust Based Observations teaches observers to build trusting relationships with teachers as they engage in frequent observations and reflective conversations with them. Using the manageable observation form and data driven goal setting, the result is teachers embrace risk-taking and take growth steps necessary for significant teaching improvement.

      Trust-Based Observations
    • 2020

      Phases of the Moon

      • 256 pages
      • 9 hours of reading

      While in-depth cultural histories have been devoted to such classic horror monsters as the vampire, the zombie and Frankenstein's tragic creature, the cinematic werewolf has long been considered little more than the 'beast within': a psychoanalytic analogue for the bestial side of man. This book, the first scholarly study of the werewolf in cinema, redresses the balance by exploring over one hundred years of werewolf films - from The Werewolf (1913) to WolfCop (2014) via The Wolf Man (1941) and An American Werewolf in London (1981) - to reveal the cultural significance of she-wolves and wolf-men as evolving metaphors for the cultural fears and anxieties of their times. In doing so, it illustrates how we can begin to understand one of our oldest mythical monsters as a rich and diverse cultural metaphor.

      Phases of the Moon
    • 2018

      Civil War Two, Part 1

      America Elects a President Determined to Restore Religion to Public Life, and the Nation Splits

      • 412 pages
      • 15 hours of reading
      4.2(15)Add rating

      Set against a backdrop of political ambition, President Joshua Maccabee Jennings embarks on a mission to reshape the nation by emphasizing Christian values in governance. His administration faces challenges as he navigates the complexities of faith, politics, and public opinion, raising questions about the intersection of religion and state. As Jennings pursues his agenda, the story explores themes of morality, power, and the impact of personal beliefs on leadership and society.

      Civil War Two, Part 1
    • 2018

      Civil War Two, Part 2

      America Elects a President Determined to Restore Religion to Public Life, and the Nation Splits

      • 340 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      The plot centers around a divided America, where President Jennings advocates for a Christian-led nation, igniting fierce opposition from the Secular States. This tension sets the stage for a dramatic conflict, highlighting the deep ideological rifts within the country. As the struggle unfolds, themes of faith, governance, and societal values come to the forefront, exploring the consequences of such a polarized environment.

      Civil War Two, Part 2
    • 2013

      Habermas and Religion

      • 340 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      Jurgen Habermas is among the most influential and important social theorists in the world today. * This volume represents the first sustained engagement with Habermas's recent turn to religion as a focus of philosophical inquiry.

      Habermas and Religion