Leonid Ionin. The Drama of the Life of Max Weber. Breakthrough in Russian Scientific Biographical Analysis

The new book by Leonid Ionin about Max Weber is a notable occurrence in the Russian history of sociology and culture. It fundamentally furthers our understanding of the nature of sociological knowledge. No one else in our historical sociological literature has tried to consider the work of a sociologist in such detail against the backdrop of the life’s, or more specifically, the personal drama, of the scientist. This required not only a deep knowledge of Weber’s works from the author, but also courage. In my understanding, Ionin’s experience can become an excellent basis of knowledge for Russian researchers of the past of Russian sociology, especially the biographies of those who created the foundation of our science.