Worlds Apart: Social Inequalities in a Global Economy

Words Apart is pretty much essential - as a study of inequality it's a perfect primer and as an introduction to the world (and, most importantly, the logical and ethical foundations) of Sociology it's the kind of textbook you hold onto even after that early-morning Soc class. This type of context and analysis would greatly benefit our world were it to become the standard (aside from the hysterical pandering and mindnumbingly uninformed talking points that stand for discourse). It's a compact, breezy and nearly comprehensive foundation to build upon and I recommend it for anybody.