John A. Hall is Emeritus James McGill Professor of Sociology at McGill University.

• IntroductionChapter One: Capstones and OrganismsChapter Two: The Cut-throat Struggle of Competing EmpiresChapter Three: Stabilities, Fixed and FleetingChapter Four: Fear and TremblingConclusion

"In this beautifully written and powerfully argued book John A. Hall shows why historical sociology is central for understanding the contemporary world. In this succinct, yet wide-ranging, theoretically sophisticated and empirically very rich analysis, Hall dismantles the conventional views of nations, states and empires. This is a marvellous book that will last."Siniša Maleševiæ, University College, Dublin, and CNAM, Paris"While much theorization assumes an underpinning transition from empires through nationalism to nation states, Hall brilliantly and incisively argues their interactional complexities. In this clear-eyed appraisal of the historical canvas, empires remain a firmament of our geopolitical order. This book makes a statement."Liliana Riga, University of Edinburgh"This book is a tour de force in world history."Ethnic and Racial Studies"impressive"Foreign Affairs"Nations, States and Empires is an excellent book that clearly shows how the tools of historical sociology can be used successfully to understand long-term patterns of social change... Hall has written an outstanding contribution that not only raises some key questions about the relationships between nations, states, and empires, but also provides compelling answers to those big questions."Contemporary Sociology