Max Weber is indubitably one of the very greatest figures in the history of the social sciences, the source of seminal concepts such as "the Protestant Ethic" and "modernity." Prominent as a founding father of sociology, Weber has been a major influence in the study of ancient history, religion, economics, law and cultural studies. In this Cambridge Companion a very distinguished international team of contributors introduces Weber's thought, examines some of the major controversies that have erupted, and shows how the intellectual issues Weber raised have developed since he wrote.