"Ulrich Beck is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential contemporary social thinkers. His work on risk society and his more recent writings on globalization and individualization have put him at the forefront of contemporary debates. These conversations succeed in shedding new light on these major themes as well as providing as insight into some of the commitments and beliefs that underlie them." "This new book presents Beck's ideas in an extremely clear and lucid manner, and is thus ideal for anyone seeking to come to grips with Beck's work."--Jacket.