'Frank Trentmann and John Hall rescue the concept of civil society from hazy approbration and lazy usage. By inserting contestation, complexity and change into the past and present of the concept, in theory and in practice, in west and the rest, their selection of texts is an indispensable starting point for thinking about civil society.' - Professor Martin Daunton, Master of Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge

'The editors wear their erudition lightly, but their masterful editing of over seventy contributors creates a vibrant conversation. The volume succeeds because of their wisdom and intellectual creativity.' - Deborah Davis, Professor of Sociology, Yale University, USA