Among much interesting recent work in historical sociology there has been nothing more ambitious than this book by sociologist Stephen Sanderson. . . . Whatever the future of 'evolutionary materialism' may be, Sanderson has done much to justify the enterprise of historical sociology and his work can be recommended without reserve to both sociologists and historians.

History and Theory

The book provides even-handed, comprehensible accounts of the questions under dispute and of the contributions made by various synthesizers to resolution of those questions. As a historiographic and synthetic complement to a conventional world history, Social Transformations would serve teachers quite well.

Canadian Journal of History

With this book Stephen Sanderson has presented a profound, richly detailed, and erudite analysis of worldwide social evolution over the past 10,000 years. . . . This comprehensive, authoritative and readable volume is a major contribution to the theory of societal development. I would strongly recommend this book for advanced courses on social change, comparative social systems, and historical sociology.

Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology