These 2 volumes provide a good general introduction to all of the social sciences; entries are arranged alphabetically, each with a bibliography and suggested further reading. The volumes are unique in that the editors seek to provide "reliable, intelligent and interesting review of the whole gamut of ideas and findings on the individual and society that have emerged from more than a century of academic research and debate." As an example, there is an interesting article addressing the question, "What is economic man?" and covers issues that are challenging today, like gerontology and globalization.
