“The entire book is abstract to a degree. It cannot be recommended for easy reading, but it should be read with care, if half the world is to know what the other half is thinking about. As a flight of fancy and project of reform Mr Cole’s idea has some attractive features, but we would rather see it tried in some other country.”
− + N Y Times p13 Ag 8 ’20 2400w
“‘Social theory’ is a book worth while. It is reasoned and temperate; despite a too frequent reliance upon abstract terms where concrete example is most needed, it is clearly expressed; and it presents a coherent set of principles. One may disagree with all of it and yet acknowledge that the author has ably stated his argument.” W. J. Ghent
+ − Review 3:316 O 13 ’20 580w R of Rs 62:110 Jl ’20 150w
“This is a most irritating little book. No text-book has a right to be quite so dull as this; particularly from Mr Cole one had looked for something more original.”
− Sat R 130:56 Ag 17 ’20 650w
“Mr Cole’s book is worthy of and will receive study. While it will not pass unchallenged upon its constructive side, its criticism of old conceptions is surely trenchant and significant.”
+ − Springf’d Republican p9a Ag 29 ’20 840w
“It is an illuminating book. For one I confess to have wished that Mr Cole could have avoided his rather lengthy definition of the terms he used.” W: L. Chenery
+ − Survey 45:288 N 20 ’20 180w