Sociology: A Very Short Introduction

I wanted a general knowledge of the discipline of sociology, and I got it in this book! I felt like I finished this book with an understanding of what exactly this social science is concerned with, how they go about doing their research, and some of the significant findings over the its history. It was an easy read, all things considered.

This book is a well thought-out and clearly written introduction to sociological practice. Although he does provide examples of both particular and general topics that sociology investigates, the author is explicit that his intention is not to list various issues or problems sociologists study (in fact, he has an excellent discussion of the common misconception that sociology is the study of social problems), but rather to explain the methods and approaches that define sociology as a discipline and an area of intellectual inquiry. In this, he does a fine job.

David Ross (in another review) is accurate and forthright. Bruce's read is indeed willy-nilly and impressionistic. These characteristics are the fault, but also the tool, of his writing many short such summaries. Someone who has only briefly visited the discipline for a writing assignment cannot be expected to know, for example, that there is already a body of theory (developed by Donald Black) which does what Bruce implies is either impossible or uninteresting: provide scientific order to a vast array of variation in social life without regard to individuals as such, and without the use of anything remotely psychological.Befitting a "very short introduction", the reader should not be relied upon for much more than a brief glance. However, it does provide the glance, and even does so continuity as well as both humor and grace. While the coverage is lacking, the verbiage is pleasingly precise.Don't read this to *complete* your investigation into sociology. But don't back away from it as a very short introduction. That is all it is, and all it was meant to be.

David Ross (in another review) is accurate and forthright. Bruce's read is indeed willy-nilly and impressionistic. These characteristics are the fault, but also the tool, of his writing many short such summaries. Someone who has only briefly visited the discipline for a writing assignment cannot be expected to know, for example, that there is already a body of theory (developed by Donald Black) which does what Bruce implies is either impossible or uninteresting: provide scientific order to a vast array of variation in social life without regard to individuals as such, and without the use of anything remotely psychological.Befitting a "very short introduction", the reader should not be relied upon for much more than a brief glance. However, it does provide the glance, and even does so with continuity as well as both humor and grace. While the coverage is lacking, the verbiage is pleasingly precise. Don't read this to *complete* your investigation into sociology. But don't back away from it as a very short introduction. That is all it is, and all it was meant to be.

This book does what many full length sociology text books do not: it summarizes the sociological perspective in an intelligible and exciting manner that both novices and experts alike will find enjoyable. Bruce uses simple language and provides highly accessible examples to give the reader a quick tour of some of the basic goals and tenets of sociology. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to teach an introductory course in sociology, or anyone who wants to know what sociology is all about.