Charles Turner teaches Sociology at the University of Warwick. He is author of Modernity and Politics in the Work of Max Weber (1992) and Investigating Sociological Theory (2010), and has co-edited Social Theory after the Holocaust (2000) with Robert Fine, The Shape of the New Europe (2006) with Ralf Rogowski, and Paradox and Inference: The Sociology of Wilhelm Baldamus (2010) with Mark Erickson.

• 1. The Career of a Concept 2. Secularization and Ambivalence 3. Four Sociological Secularization Gospels 4. Secularization and Philosophy 5. The Revenge of History and Sociology 6. Fundamentalism, Zombie Religion, Secular Religion 7. An Inconclusive Conclusion

"Charles Turner has provided us with a well-informed, witty, and frequently surprising critical introduction to the concept of secularization, its voluminous literature, and its central place in the work of the classic social thinkers, as well as in the thinking of a long list of important Continental intellectuals. Its insightful discussion of Islam is a special bonus."Stephen Turner, Distinguished University Professor, University of South Florida"Charles Turner's primer on secularization is essential reading. Refreshingly open, non-moralizing, historically-alert, sociologically-comprehensive, culturally broad-ranging and politically astute, Secularization provides both succinct insight into secularization as a much-contested concept and much pithy guidance as to its real uses as well as limitations. Turner writes with an engagingly direct and accessible style whilst never losing sight of the genuine difficulties in any consideration of these issues. His discussion has at once a lightness of tone and a genuine depth of insight that will appeal to the curious and uninitiated as well as to the seasoned, weathered thinker on these matters - everyone can gain something from this book".Thomas Osborne, Professor of Social and Political Theory, University of Bristol