Our Martin Lipset and Leo Lowenthal have edited a volume of critical essays that, by its list of contributors, goes far to show Riesman as a publicly accepted members of his profession.

Yet, as the old prophets did, men like Riesman worry a lot about what meaning human events might carry; they ask general questions about what life might mean to the individual and to the society ...

"Once 85 Degrees opened up a few streets down, we experienced a dramatic downturn in business," Riesman said. "They make ...