The Evolution of the Social Sciences charts the development of the main social sciences—religion, history, philosophy, law, sociology, anthropology, and economics—through an examination of the lives and works of each discipline's key historical figures. Sharpes concentrates on areas of convergence, overlap, and disjunction, discussing the many ways that these figures have influenced scholarly development throughout the social sciences. Written in an engaging style accessible to a wide academic audience, this biographical map demonstrates the diversity and range of inquiries into human social behavior.

"Presents an overview of the social sciences and examines the lives of several historical principles who enriched each discipline." - Journal of Economic Literature, December 2009 (Vol. 47, no. 4)