Lost in the raging debate over the validity of social construction is the question of what, precisely, is being constructed. Facts, gender, quarks, reality? Ian Hacking's book explores an array of examples to reveal the deep issues underlying contentious accounts of reality-especially regarding the status of the natural sciences.Lost in the raging debate over the validity of social construction is the question of what, precisely, is being constructed. Facts, gender, quarks, reality? Ian Hacking's book explores an array of examples to reveal the deep issues underlying contentious accounts of reality-especially regarding the status of the natural sciences. Nominated for Rachel Carson Prize & Ludwik Fleck Prize 2001 and Robert K. Merton Book Award 2002.