"One of the essential tests of contemporary cultural theory."--James Brow, University of Texas, Austin

"One of the key works of our time on the sociology of cultural forms. It is an original work that raises important analytical issues in the study of language as a form of social action. Williams synthesizes a number of important problems in the sociology of culture in accessible language."--Bruce Mannheim, University of Michigan

"Williams has brought his authority and experience, established by his immense critical achievement, into the Marxist tradition."--Anthony Barnett, New Society

"The explorations and integrations which this book makes will bring a major pressure to bear on academic literary criticism and its institutions."--John Sutherland, New Statesman