This book aims to introduce readers to the full scope of Bourdieu's work whilst preserving the spirit of his endeavour. It traces the development of Bourdieu's thinking from the early Sociologie de l'Algerie (1958) to La noblesse d'etat (1989). In so doing, the work attempts to contextualize the production of all the works which are now accessible in English. The intention is that by concentrating on Bourdieu's practice, the book will stimulate the kind of re-thinking of social relations which may amount to a recognition of the fundamental nature and purpose of human society.