[The Systems of Sociology. Social Analytics]. 2 vol. Sistema Sotciologii. Sotsialnaya Analitika.

Signed and inscribed by the author in the first volume: 'Dorogomu Pavlu Isaevichu / Lyublinskomu / v znak glubokogo uvazheniya i / priznatel'nosti / ot avtora' [To dear Pavel Isaevich Lyublinskiy with a sign of deep respect and gratitude from author].
First edition of the first Sorokin's book on sociology.

Russian-born distinguished American sociologist, who created the standard for the field Pitirim Sorokin (1889-1968) began his studies at the Bekhterev Psychoneurological Institute in Saint Petersburg. Unfortunately, he was unable to pay the tuition fees and was excluded after the first year. He was eventually able to complete his studies in the law faculty of Saint Petersburg University. He remained there as a lecturer, preparing to qualify for a professorship. This book signed to his university teacher, criminologist and lawyer Pavel Lyublinskiy (1882-1938).
During all revolutionary years in Russia Sorokin used to be active in politics: in 1917 he was secretary to Alexander Kerensky, Minister-Chairman of the Russian Provisional Government. After the October Revolution, Sorokin was arrested several times and even was condemned to death, but he was released after publishing of the letter where he announced the end of political activity.
Finally he became the founder of the Sociology Department on the Faculty of social sciences at the University in Petrograd and wrote this monography. According to Sorokin's own confession, this book, which made him the leading sociologist in Russia, represents 'the foundational stone of all his subsequent sociocultural theories'. Sorokin planned to publish ten volumes of System of Sociology but was forced to emigrate in 1922. The book was banned until 1958 in Soviet Russia.
Sorokin settled in the USA. As Barry V. Johnston, author of Sorokin's biography, wrote he worked at the University of Minnesota where he published four important books. So Harvard's President, Abbott Lawrence Lowell, invited Sorokin to chair the University's first Department of Sociology. It was a great step forward for the discipline and 'Sociologists finally got academic respectability when Sorokin went to Harvard in the 1930's.' (Howery, C. Jessie Bernard at 80: Reflections on Life and Sociology. / Footnotes. 1984. # 5. P.5). Sorokin further argued that sociologists spend too much time studying destructive social behaviors. If we wished to improve the human condition, we should learn how to make people more humane, compassionate and giving. This concern led Sorokin to a decade-long study of altruism and amitology. With support from the Lilly Endowment he established the Harvard Center for Creative Altruism. In 1963 Sorokin was elected the President of the American Sociological Association. (Barry V. Johnston Sorokin Lives! Centennial Observations. / Footnotes. 1989. Vol. 17, # 1, PP. 1-5.).
Pitirim Sorokin's signed Russian books are very rare.