This comprehensive anthology brings together some of the most important writings in the field of descriptive and historical sociology from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Edited by prominent sociologist Franklin Henry Giddings, this collection includes essays by such influential social thinkers as Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Georg Simmel. Providing a broad view of the sociological landscape at the turn of the century, Readings in Descriptive and Historical Sociology remains a valuable resource for students and scholars of sociology and social theory. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.