Foundations of Social Theory is an introduction to social thought beginning with the intellectual transformation of the western world at the end of the first Christian millennium and ending with the rise of critical social thought in the 20th century. The narrative is organized thematically, and places intellectual history in social, political, and economic context. Written in an engaging and accessible style, the author uses the unique approach of introducing works of art or literature as examples of social thought in order to show the pervasiveness of ideas in works not normally considered 'theoretical'. In doing so, the author demonstrates - with great pedagogical thought - to students that recognisable social ideas can be found in unlikely places.