Sociology Themes and Perspectives

I RECENTLY ORDERED THIS BOOK, USED. IT WAS SHIPPED IMMEDIATELY, AND SECURE FROM THE WEATHER, ETC. THE BOOK SHIPPED IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I USED THIS BOOK AT UNI. I HAVE COMPARED THE TEXT BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS TODAY. THIS BOOK HAS MORE IN DEPTH INFO THAN ANY PRODUCED RECENTLY.

While going through the book in1986, I often wondered if a more comprehensive, lucid and well-researched book could ever be written on the subject. My conviction still remains strong after all these years. This book is quite different from the usual introductory books on sociology meant for college fresher, which come packaged with pictures, photographs, case studies, box items and rather oversized glossaries of terms. Here, the whole gamut of sociology is presented by placing relevant theories side by side, which are often in stark contrast with each other. For example, the liberal perspective which hopes that `the expansion of education will also reduce inequality in society,' is followed by a jarring Marxian argument that the educational system is a `gigantic myth-making machine which serves to legitimate inequality.' These contradictions and shifts in the theories provide adequate clarity to the reader, rendering unnecessary any further intervention by the author.All the seminal contributions of pioneers like Durkheim, Weber, Redcliffe-Brown, Parsons, Merton and Marx, and modern perspectives of sociologists like Michael F.D.Young, Edmund Leach and R.D.Laing are explained in a succinct manner. Apart from the various sociological perspectives, vital areas like social stratification, power and politics, poverty, education, organisation, family, religion and women and society are discussed threadbare. The final two chapters namely, methodology ans sociological theories are, to my mind, the final words on the subjects. I strongly recommend this book to anybody who wants to make any headway into the subject of sociology.To close on a personal note - I found the chapter on religion the most absorbing in this book. As the functionalists' perspective of Durkheim, Malinowski and Parsons is decimated by the sharp but convincing Marxian standpoint, the chapter reads like a thriller, that is dominated by courtroom arguments.

This must be the Bible to sociology students around the world - i don't know an A level student who's lived without it. Buy it!

Everyone who wants to get a little bit deeper knowledge about sociology will find this book very helpful. It's main virtue is perfect balance between simplicity of language used and complexity of sociology itself. It is obvious that it is writen for someone who is only starting to dig into social science - but don't underestimate it for this!

Written by two top college lecturers from Preston, England, this is a seminal and thoroughly readable work. Covers all sociological topics, well laid out, easy to read, excellent index. Suitable for senior high school and all levels of college study. The book is also well suited for anyone with a passing interest in social science or the humanities.