You May Ask Yourself—An Introduction to Thinking Like a Sociologist

Conley (sociology, NYU) offers a comprehensive and engaging textbook for an undergraduate introduction to sociology course. He presents the material in a decidedly "untextbook" way, while covering material a student of sociology needs to know. The text guides readers through the historical, critical, and scientific perspectives that sociologists use to interrogate the world others take for granted. Brilliant photos and other graphics, break-away sections, vocabulary in the margins, concluding "paradoxes" for every chapter, and other features support Conley's aim to make sociology come alive. Organization is in three major sections with several chapters in each, beginning with discussion of "the sociological imagination," sociological methods, culture and media, socialization and the construction of reality, groups and networks, and social control. The second section focuses on social stratification, with chapters focusing on gender, race, poverty, and health. The last section turns to social institutions. There Conley examines families and education, capitalism and the economy, authority and the state, religion, science and the environment, as well as collective action and social change. This new edition, apart from several updates to data and content in the chapters, includes an online component of several short films Conley made professionally, to drive home different lessons. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)