Inspired by Randall Collins’ transformative analyses of face-to-face interactions, Ritual, Emotion, and Violence advances the field in bold new directions. Reporting on a wide range of fascinating topics, from violence in street-level narcotics markets to electronically mediated interactions in large corporations, the essays demonstrate the theoretical purchase of 21st- century micro-sociology. Kudos to the editors for assembling a volume that will shape a new generation of scholars.Viviana A. Zelizer, Lloyd Cotsen ’50 Professor of Sociology, Princeton University, author of Economic Lives: How Culture Shapes the EconomyOne of the great minds of contemporary sociology, Randall Collins created a synthetic and wide-ranging theory distinctive for its persistently empirical, resolutely micro focus. The contributions to this rich and searching volume bring Collins' theoretical achievements into focus, even as they revise and advance his research program for a macro-oriented, micro-sociology.Jeffrey C. Alexander, Lillian Chavenson Saden Professor of Sociology, Yale UniversityCarefully selected with an eye open to the unmatched breadth and depth of one of the most versatile and prolific scholars of our time, the contributions to this volume do not just pay tribute, but indeed advance, the work and vision of the most important sociological theorist alive today — Randall Collins. Stephan Fuchs, Professor of Sociology, University of Virginia This is an impressive volume celebrating the pioneering work of Randall Collins in a special way: showing how his theories of interaction ritual, solidarity, and violence address a wide range of phenomena. Some chapters extend his ideas; others make important modifications; and still others depart in significant ways. This volume reveals the richness and broad applicability of Collins’ approach while showing that the best sociological theories are living documents continuously evolving and changing. Edward J. Lawler, Martin P. Catherwood Professor of Industrial and Labor Relations and Professor of Sociology, Cornell UniversityThis is a collection of insightful essays that effectively build on Randall Collins’ seminal theory of the micro-sociology of violence, while highlighting significant issues in Collins’ body of theoretical work — a work of importance.Elijah Anderson, Yale University, author of The Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility in Everyday Life