Explores the work of Harriet Martineau from a sociological perspective, highlighting her theoretical contributions in the areas of the sociology of labor, gender and political economy. "...the book is well organized and makes a strong contribution to healthcare policy; it would be a good source for administrators, politicians, and experts working in this area." -- Contemporary Sociology 31, 3 "[This] collection of essays argues for Martineau's foundational and hitherto unrecognized importance in the discipline of sociology. Advancing the claim that Martineau must be taken seriously in the sociology classroom, the editors...note smartly that because so much her sociological writing is 'directly accessible to neophyte readers...students may miss entirely the sophisticated logic and structure of her theoretical views' (14)." -- Victorian Studies