Durkheim Is Dead

Review: This book is sub-titled "Sherlock Holmes is Introduced to Sociological Theory" and the author has endeavored to introduce his readers to a number of sociological theorists from the early 20th century. The format is quite interesting. Holmes and Dr. Watson are introduced to problems occurring at a Conference, titled "The Promise of Social Progress" being held in London in 1910. Among the attendees are a variety of social theorists and activists with strong minds and even stronger opinions. Each Chapter begins with a lengthy citation from the works of one or another of the attendees that directly bears on the material in the Chapter and often includes direct quotes of the views expressed in the text.

The entire book presents a set of three neat mysteries, each of which is solved in typical ratiocinative fashion by Holmes as he meets with and probes the thoughts of the conference participants. As a student of the "Hard Sciences", I approched this introduction to the world of fuzzy thinking with some trepidation and the conviction that I would be disappointed by the cast of characters. I mean, what could Lenin, Max Weber, Georg Simmel, W. E. B. DuBois and Sigmund Freud have to say that would speak to a 21st century sophisticate?

I received a pleasant surprise as, one by one, real thinkers formulated hypotheses and attempted to make sense out of the chaos of human interactions. The arguments and theories were made quite understandable and, even more importantly, the thinkers, themselves, came alive and spoke as real people in a stressful situation. The expected 'preachiness' of the dialogs simply wasn't present and I found myself listening to beliefs and views that are vital and important to the participants.

In some subtle way, the author also makes the contrast between these views expressed and the societal views common to the day become apparent to the 21st century reader. The sociological thinking may seem quite simplistic, but these thoughts arose in societies in which "It's God's Will" and "The inate superiority of European man" and "Kinder, Kuchen and Kirche" were the standard explanations for events and where "Degeneracy" (whatever that is) was the common explanation for crime.

The hundred years or so intervening between the story and the reader have brought so much change to the world that some of the viewpoints and arguments seem quite sad and doomed to disappointment. In addition, the Primate Studies of the latter part of the 20th century have pointed up some unsuspected basics in human interactions that would have both surprised and delighted the characters in the story. It is interesting to the reader to see whose viewpoints best survive the tests of time while the timelessness of character is also brought to one's attention.

As a sociological text, this book is a nicely crafted introduction for laymen. As a mystery, it is a tricky puzzle that eludes preconceptions and as a Sherlockian effort, it is very nicely done. For pastiche readers, most efforts fall in the category of "Why did the author use the name Sherlock Holmes for that blundering idiot?" In this case, the thoughts and views expressed came the closest to those I would expect from the Master as any I have read for a long time. The enthusiasm Holmes displayed was unlike his response to many other problems, but it all seemed to flow naturally from his own response to the fine intellects he encountered in the tale.

Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, July, 2003 ]