Contemporary sociology increasingly seems to be adopting a perspectivesimilar to that on which Georg Simmel’s analysis and interpretations rested.To a significant degree, therefore, sociologists continue to turn to Simmelfor a basic understanding of the forms and processes of social life. NicholasSpykman'sThe Social Theory of Georg Simmel, originally published in 1925,was the first comprehensive account of Simmel’s ideas. It remains a mostvaluable summary of the major elements of his thought.