"This is a very exciting volume, on two chief counts. First, it affords its readers the privilege of having a number of established scholars assist them in their own encounter with the vast and diverse body of work produced by Ernest Gellner. The contributors identify the main themes of that work and describe and evaluate Gellner's own interpretations of those themes, among which are the peculiarities of the West, the significance of nationalism, the nature of social power, the historical careers of Islam and of Marxism. Second, the authors have taken the opportunity to outline and extend their own understanding of these themes, an understanding grounded in each case on original research. In doing so they not only expound Gellner's contributions but criticise them; however, one has the sensation that Gellner himself, were he still alive, would both appreciate those critiques and confront them in his own inimitable manner." -Gianfranco Poggi, Professor of Sociology, University of Trento