Author: Sarah Tomley
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1465499490
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 674
Book Description
Learn about how we organize our society in The Sociology Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Sociology in this overview guide to the subject, great for beginners looking to learn and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Sociology Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Sociology, with: - More than 80 ideas from the world's most renowned sociologists - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The Sociology Book is the perfect introduction to a range of societal issues, ranging from government and gender identity to inequalities and globalization, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview. Here you'll find biographies of key sociologists and social activists that give a historical context to each idea. Your Sociology Questions, Simply Explained This book explores the similar issues that affect us all; the tension between the needs of the individual and society, the changing workplace, and the role of everything from government to mass culture in our lives. If you thought it was difficult to learn about social theory, The Sociology Book presents key information in a clear layout. Learn about issues of equality, diversity, identity, and human rights; the role of institutions; and the rise of urban living in modern society, with fantastic mind maps and step-by-step summaries. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The Sociology Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.
The Sociology Book
Author: Sarah Tomley
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1465499490
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 674
Book Description
Learn about how we organize our society in The Sociology Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Sociology in this overview guide to the subject, great for beginners looking to learn and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Sociology Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Sociology, with: - More than 80 ideas from the world's most renowned sociologists - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The Sociology Book is the perfect introduction to a range of societal issues, ranging from government and gender identity to inequalities and globalization, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview. Here you'll find biographies of key sociologists and social activists that give a historical context to each idea. Your Sociology Questions, Simply Explained This book explores the similar issues that affect us all; the tension between the needs of the individual and society, the changing workplace, and the role of everything from government to mass culture in our lives. If you thought it was difficult to learn about social theory, The Sociology Book presents key information in a clear layout. Learn about issues of equality, diversity, identity, and human rights; the role of institutions; and the rise of urban living in modern society, with fantastic mind maps and step-by-step summaries. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The Sociology Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1465499490
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 674
Book Description
Learn about how we organize our society in The Sociology Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Sociology in this overview guide to the subject, great for beginners looking to learn and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Sociology Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Sociology, with: - More than 80 ideas from the world's most renowned sociologists - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The Sociology Book is the perfect introduction to a range of societal issues, ranging from government and gender identity to inequalities and globalization, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview. Here you'll find biographies of key sociologists and social activists that give a historical context to each idea. Your Sociology Questions, Simply Explained This book explores the similar issues that affect us all; the tension between the needs of the individual and society, the changing workplace, and the role of everything from government to mass culture in our lives. If you thought it was difficult to learn about social theory, The Sociology Book presents key information in a clear layout. Learn about issues of equality, diversity, identity, and human rights; the role of institutions; and the rise of urban living in modern society, with fantastic mind maps and step-by-step summaries. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The Sociology Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.
The Sociology of Science
Author: Robert K. Merton
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226520927
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 639
Book Description
"The exploration of the social conditions that facilitate or retard the search for scientific knowledge has been the major theme of Robert K. Merton's work for forty years. This collection of papers [is] a fascinating overview of this sustained inquiry. . . . There are very few other books in sociology . . . with such meticulous scholarship, or so elegant a style. This collection of papers is, and is likely to remain for a long time, one of the most important books in sociology."—Joseph Ben-David, New York Times Book Review "The novelty of the approach, the erudition and elegance, and the unusual breadth of vision make this volume one of the most important contributions to sociology in general and to the sociology of science in particular. . . . Merton's Sociology of Science is a magisterial summary of the field."—Yehuda Elkana, American Journal of Sociology "Merton's work provides a rich feast for any scientist concerned for a genuine understanding of his own professional self. And Merton's industry, integrity, and humility are permanent witnesses to that ethos which he has done so much to define and support."—J. R. Ravetz, American Scientist "The essays not only exhibit a diverse and penetrating analysis and a deal of historical and contemporary examples, with concrete numerical data, but also make genuinely good reading because of the wit, the liveliness and the rich learning with which Merton writes."—Philip Morrison, Scientific American "Merton's impact on sociology as a whole has been large, and his impact on the sociology of science has been so momentous that the title of the book is apt, because Merton's writings represent modern sociology of science more than any other single writer."—Richard McClintock, Contemporary Sociology
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226520927
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 639
Book Description
"The exploration of the social conditions that facilitate or retard the search for scientific knowledge has been the major theme of Robert K. Merton's work for forty years. This collection of papers [is] a fascinating overview of this sustained inquiry. . . . There are very few other books in sociology . . . with such meticulous scholarship, or so elegant a style. This collection of papers is, and is likely to remain for a long time, one of the most important books in sociology."—Joseph Ben-David, New York Times Book Review "The novelty of the approach, the erudition and elegance, and the unusual breadth of vision make this volume one of the most important contributions to sociology in general and to the sociology of science in particular. . . . Merton's Sociology of Science is a magisterial summary of the field."—Yehuda Elkana, American Journal of Sociology "Merton's work provides a rich feast for any scientist concerned for a genuine understanding of his own professional self. And Merton's industry, integrity, and humility are permanent witnesses to that ethos which he has done so much to define and support."—J. R. Ravetz, American Scientist "The essays not only exhibit a diverse and penetrating analysis and a deal of historical and contemporary examples, with concrete numerical data, but also make genuinely good reading because of the wit, the liveliness and the rich learning with which Merton writes."—Philip Morrison, Scientific American "Merton's impact on sociology as a whole has been large, and his impact on the sociology of science has been so momentous that the title of the book is apt, because Merton's writings represent modern sociology of science more than any other single writer."—Richard McClintock, Contemporary Sociology
The Sociology of W. E. B. Du Bois
Author: José Itzigsohn
Publisher: NYU Press
ISBN: 1479804177
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 291
Book Description
The first comprehensive understanding of Du Bois for social scientists The Sociology of W. E. B. Du Bois provides a comprehensive introduction to the founding father of American sociological thought. Du Bois is now recognized as a pioneer of American scientific sociology and as someone who made foundational contributions to the sociology of race and to urban and community sociology. However, in this authoritative volume, noted scholars José Itzigsohn and Karida L. Brown provide a groundbreaking account of Du Bois’s theoretical contribution to sociology, or what they call the analysis of “racialized modernity.” Further, they examine the implications of developing a Du Boisian sociology for the practice of the discipline today. The full canon of Du Bois’s sociological works spans a lifetime of over ninety years in which his ideas evolved over much of the twentieth century. This broader and more systematic account of Du Bois’s contribution to sociology explores how his theories changed, evolved, and even developed to contradict earlier ideas. Careful parsing of seminal works provides a much needed overview for students and scholars looking to gain a better grasp of the ideas of Du Bois, in particular his understanding of racialized subjectivity, racialized social systems, and his scientific sociology. Further, the authors show that a Du Boisian sociology provides a robust analytical framework for the multilevel examination of individual-level processes—such as the formation of the self—and macro processes—such as group formation and mobilization or the structures of modernity—key concepts for a basic understanding of sociology.
Publisher: NYU Press
ISBN: 1479804177
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 291
Book Description
The first comprehensive understanding of Du Bois for social scientists The Sociology of W. E. B. Du Bois provides a comprehensive introduction to the founding father of American sociological thought. Du Bois is now recognized as a pioneer of American scientific sociology and as someone who made foundational contributions to the sociology of race and to urban and community sociology. However, in this authoritative volume, noted scholars José Itzigsohn and Karida L. Brown provide a groundbreaking account of Du Bois’s theoretical contribution to sociology, or what they call the analysis of “racialized modernity.” Further, they examine the implications of developing a Du Boisian sociology for the practice of the discipline today. The full canon of Du Bois’s sociological works spans a lifetime of over ninety years in which his ideas evolved over much of the twentieth century. This broader and more systematic account of Du Bois’s contribution to sociology explores how his theories changed, evolved, and even developed to contradict earlier ideas. Careful parsing of seminal works provides a much needed overview for students and scholars looking to gain a better grasp of the ideas of Du Bois, in particular his understanding of racialized subjectivity, racialized social systems, and his scientific sociology. Further, the authors show that a Du Boisian sociology provides a robust analytical framework for the multilevel examination of individual-level processes—such as the formation of the self—and macro processes—such as group formation and mobilization or the structures of modernity—key concepts for a basic understanding of sociology.
The Sociology of Law
Author: A. Javier Trevino
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351473700
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 1182
Book Description
The purpose of this book is to introduce the sociology of law by providing a coherent organization to the general body of literature in that field. As such, the text gives a comprehensive overview of theoretical sociology of law. It deals with the broad expanse of the field and covers a vast amount of intellectual terrain. This volume is intended to fill a gap in the literature. Most textbooks in the sociology of law are insufficiently theoretical or else do not provide a paradigmatic analysis of sociological theories. The content of this text consists of discussions of the works of scholars who have contributed the most to the cumulative development of the sociology of law. It surveys the major traditions of legal sociology but is not wedded to any one particular theoretical approach. Both the "classical," or nineteenth-century, and "contemporary," or twentieth-century, perspectives are covered. The reader will see that nineteenth-century thought has directly influenced the emergence of twentieth-century theory. One unique feature of this book is that key sociological and legal concepts, presented in bold print and italics, are defined, described, and illustrated throughout. Although the nature of the subject matter is highly theoretical and, at times, quite complex, Trevino values every effort to present the material in the most straightforward and intelligible form possible without compromising the integrity of the theories themselves. In short, this book aims to accomplish three objectives: inform about the progressive advancement of sociological theory, teach the reader to analyze the law as a social phenomenon, and develop in the reader a critical mode of thinking about issues relevant to the relationship between law and society.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351473700
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 1182
Book Description
The purpose of this book is to introduce the sociology of law by providing a coherent organization to the general body of literature in that field. As such, the text gives a comprehensive overview of theoretical sociology of law. It deals with the broad expanse of the field and covers a vast amount of intellectual terrain. This volume is intended to fill a gap in the literature. Most textbooks in the sociology of law are insufficiently theoretical or else do not provide a paradigmatic analysis of sociological theories. The content of this text consists of discussions of the works of scholars who have contributed the most to the cumulative development of the sociology of law. It surveys the major traditions of legal sociology but is not wedded to any one particular theoretical approach. Both the "classical," or nineteenth-century, and "contemporary," or twentieth-century, perspectives are covered. The reader will see that nineteenth-century thought has directly influenced the emergence of twentieth-century theory. One unique feature of this book is that key sociological and legal concepts, presented in bold print and italics, are defined, described, and illustrated throughout. Although the nature of the subject matter is highly theoretical and, at times, quite complex, Trevino values every effort to present the material in the most straightforward and intelligible form possible without compromising the integrity of the theories themselves. In short, this book aims to accomplish three objectives: inform about the progressive advancement of sociological theory, teach the reader to analyze the law as a social phenomenon, and develop in the reader a critical mode of thinking about issues relevant to the relationship between law and society.
The Sociology of the Individual
Author: Athanasia Chalari
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1473987679
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 226
Book Description
What it socialization? What is interaction? What do we mean by identity? How can we explain the notion of self? What do we mean by intra-action? The Sociology of the Individual is an innovative and though-provoking sociological exploration of how the ideas of the individual and society relate. Expertly combining conceptual depth with clarity of style, Athanasia Chalari: explains the key sociological and psychological theories related to the investigation of the social and the personal analyses the ways that both sociology and psychology can contribute to a more complete understanding and theorising of everyday life uses a mix of international cases and everyday examples to encourage critical reflection. The Sociology of the Individual is an essential read for upper level undergraduates or postgraduates looking for a deeper and more sophisticated understanding of the connection between the social world and the inner life of the individual. Perfect for modules exploring the sociology of the self, self and society, and self and identity.
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1473987679
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 226
Book Description
What it socialization? What is interaction? What do we mean by identity? How can we explain the notion of self? What do we mean by intra-action? The Sociology of the Individual is an innovative and though-provoking sociological exploration of how the ideas of the individual and society relate. Expertly combining conceptual depth with clarity of style, Athanasia Chalari: explains the key sociological and psychological theories related to the investigation of the social and the personal analyses the ways that both sociology and psychology can contribute to a more complete understanding and theorising of everyday life uses a mix of international cases and everyday examples to encourage critical reflection. The Sociology of the Individual is an essential read for upper level undergraduates or postgraduates looking for a deeper and more sophisticated understanding of the connection between the social world and the inner life of the individual. Perfect for modules exploring the sociology of the self, self and society, and self and identity.
The Sociology of Social Change
Author: Piotr Sztompka
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
ISBN: 9780631182061
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 368
Book Description
The sociology of social change has always been the product of times of flux, and the unmatched dynamism of our period is already reflected in the revitalization of theories of change. Piotr Sztompka's aim in this volume is to take stock of and to reappraise the whole legacy of sociological thinking about change, from the classical to the contemporary, providing the intellectual tools necessary for a critical and rational grasp of our own turbulent times. Intended primarily as an advanced textbook for upper-division and graduate students, as well as researchers, this book covers the four grand visions of social and historical change which have dominated the field since the 19th century: the evolutionary, the cyclical, the dialectical, and the post-developmentalist. In so doing, it provides indispensable analytic discussions of the concepts focal to contemporary debates such as social processd, developmentd, progressd, social timed, historical traditiond, modernityd, post-modernity d, and globalizationd.
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
ISBN: 9780631182061
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 368
Book Description
The sociology of social change has always been the product of times of flux, and the unmatched dynamism of our period is already reflected in the revitalization of theories of change. Piotr Sztompka's aim in this volume is to take stock of and to reappraise the whole legacy of sociological thinking about change, from the classical to the contemporary, providing the intellectual tools necessary for a critical and rational grasp of our own turbulent times. Intended primarily as an advanced textbook for upper-division and graduate students, as well as researchers, this book covers the four grand visions of social and historical change which have dominated the field since the 19th century: the evolutionary, the cyclical, the dialectical, and the post-developmentalist. In so doing, it provides indispensable analytic discussions of the concepts focal to contemporary debates such as social processd, developmentd, progressd, social timed, historical traditiond, modernityd, post-modernity d, and globalizationd.
The Sociology of Social Movements
Author: Joseph Ambrose Banks
Publisher: London : Macmillan [for the British Sociological Association]
ISBN: 9780333134337
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 62
Book Description
Publisher: London : Macmillan [for the British Sociological Association]
ISBN: 9780333134337
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 62
Book Description
The Sociology of Social Problems
Author: Paul B. Horton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 694
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 694
Book Description
Adventures of an Accidental Sociologist
Author: Peter L. Berger
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 1616143908
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 254
Book Description
Peter L. Berger is arguably the best-known American sociologist living today. Since the 1960s he has been publishing books on many facets of the American social scene, and several are now considered classics. So it may be hard to believe Professor Berger’s description of himself as an "accidental sociologist." But that in fact accurately describes how he stumbled into sociology. In this witty, intellectually stimulating memoir, Berger explains not only how he became a social scientist, but the many adventures that this calling has led to. Rather than writing an autobiography, he focuses on the main intellectual issues that motivated his work and the various people and situations he encountered in the course of his career. Full of memorable vignettes and colorful characters depicted in a lively narrative often laced with humor, Berger’s memoir conveys the excitement that a study of social life can bring. The first part of the book describes Berger’s initiation into sociology through the New School for Social Research, "a European enclave in the midst of Greenwich Village bohemia." Berger was first a student at the New School and later a young professor amidst a clique of like-minded individuals. There he published The Social Construction of Reality (with colleague Thomas Luckmann), one of his most successful books, followed by The Sacred Canopy on the sociology of religion, also still widely cited. The book covers Berger’s experience as a "globe-trekking sociologist" including trips to Mexico, where he studied approaches to Third World poverty; to East Asia, where he discovered the potential of capitalism to improve social conditions; and to South Africa, where he chaired an international study group on the future of post-Apartheid society. Berger then tells about his role as the director of a research center at Boston University. For over two decades he and his colleagues have been tackling such important issues as globalization, the secularization of Europe, and the ongoing dialectic between relativism and fundamentalism in contemporary culture. What comes across throughout is Berger’s boundless curiosity with the many ways in which people interact in society. This book offers longtime Berger readers as well as newcomers to sociology proof that the sociologist’s attempt to explain the world is anything but boring.
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 1616143908
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 254
Book Description
Peter L. Berger is arguably the best-known American sociologist living today. Since the 1960s he has been publishing books on many facets of the American social scene, and several are now considered classics. So it may be hard to believe Professor Berger’s description of himself as an "accidental sociologist." But that in fact accurately describes how he stumbled into sociology. In this witty, intellectually stimulating memoir, Berger explains not only how he became a social scientist, but the many adventures that this calling has led to. Rather than writing an autobiography, he focuses on the main intellectual issues that motivated his work and the various people and situations he encountered in the course of his career. Full of memorable vignettes and colorful characters depicted in a lively narrative often laced with humor, Berger’s memoir conveys the excitement that a study of social life can bring. The first part of the book describes Berger’s initiation into sociology through the New School for Social Research, "a European enclave in the midst of Greenwich Village bohemia." Berger was first a student at the New School and later a young professor amidst a clique of like-minded individuals. There he published The Social Construction of Reality (with colleague Thomas Luckmann), one of his most successful books, followed by The Sacred Canopy on the sociology of religion, also still widely cited. The book covers Berger’s experience as a "globe-trekking sociologist" including trips to Mexico, where he studied approaches to Third World poverty; to East Asia, where he discovered the potential of capitalism to improve social conditions; and to South Africa, where he chaired an international study group on the future of post-Apartheid society. Berger then tells about his role as the director of a research center at Boston University. For over two decades he and his colleagues have been tackling such important issues as globalization, the secularization of Europe, and the ongoing dialectic between relativism and fundamentalism in contemporary culture. What comes across throughout is Berger’s boundless curiosity with the many ways in which people interact in society. This book offers longtime Berger readers as well as newcomers to sociology proof that the sociologist’s attempt to explain the world is anything but boring.
The Cutting Edge
Author: David Lansky
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1493121286
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 201
Book Description
The Cutting Edge, a satirical novel in two parts, presents a clear-sighted critique of the current state of academia. Set in a SUNY campus, diary entries that may or may not have been written by a student depict an environment marked by a series of contradictions guaranteed to discourage intellectual growth: a school mission statement that voices a commitment to social justice, academic freedom and a Student Code of Conduct that prohibits student demonstrations; administrative decisions to spy on students; a campus police force bent on uncovering student crime and collective punishment for residents living in dorms that are rarely cleaned; rising tuition costs coupled with declining academic standards leaving students up to their elbows in debt and ill-prepared for employment in a declining economy. Fortunately, there is a lone voice in the wilderness, a Professor who—despite knowing that he's teaching after the death of the book—continues to lay out an analysis of contemporary life where prisons, shopping malls and Walmart stores blight the landscape and barbarians run the universities. He wages the good fight for the rights of students against an administration that resembles a constitutional monarchy and budget cuts that ultimately lead to his death, yet his is the last voice the reader hears as the novel ends. In the second part of the novel, his memoir, we get the Professor's delineation of all that's wrong in present-day life. Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that finance capital, real estate speculation, and the postmodern condition are discussed. —Dawn Esposito, St. John's University The Cutting Edge is a novel of powerful imagination, rollicking humour, profound insight and deep political commitment. The novel is divided into two parts. The first is The College Essays of Jenny Delight. No one is quite sure who Jenny is. It is an obvious pseudonym since there is no student by this name at the college she attends. It is a hilarious section laced with social and personal insight as Jenny tries to understand the world around her, often using categories she's learning, sometimes the most abstract categories available, and infusing them with vivid meaning. The second section, Bill of Sale, is the posthumously-discovered manuscript of Sociology Professor Fred Snyder. It is a harrowing account of very vulnerable and often screwed-up people who are totally against their society. It is a section revealing, with extraordinary power, the ruthlessness of contemporary capitalism and its relentless destructive force. The Cutting Edge is one hell of a book! —Robert Roth, author of Health Proxy At once funny and dead serious, The Cutting Edge tells it like it is about the situation of public higher education in the early 21st-century United States. Sociology professor Fred Snyder—nostalgic for the era of Marcuse and the New Left, eternally at war with the college administration, committed to the ethical and political development of his students—is a wonderful creation. Skillfully narrated from several overlapping points of view, this satirical novel cuts to the chase in its astute portrayal of the connections between contemporary capitalism and the working-class college experience. —Barbara Foley, Rutgers University The Cutting Edge is at once a meeting of teachers and students under conditions of critical hilarity, and a deeply empathetic portrait of where the commitment to re-craft our learning environments in line with their most abiding promise might lead us if we attend closely as the author does to the poignancy of the stories all around us. It rewards readers with an insightful view on a delicate landscape often overlooked. —Randy Martin, New York University
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1493121286
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 201
Book Description
The Cutting Edge, a satirical novel in two parts, presents a clear-sighted critique of the current state of academia. Set in a SUNY campus, diary entries that may or may not have been written by a student depict an environment marked by a series of contradictions guaranteed to discourage intellectual growth: a school mission statement that voices a commitment to social justice, academic freedom and a Student Code of Conduct that prohibits student demonstrations; administrative decisions to spy on students; a campus police force bent on uncovering student crime and collective punishment for residents living in dorms that are rarely cleaned; rising tuition costs coupled with declining academic standards leaving students up to their elbows in debt and ill-prepared for employment in a declining economy. Fortunately, there is a lone voice in the wilderness, a Professor who—despite knowing that he's teaching after the death of the book—continues to lay out an analysis of contemporary life where prisons, shopping malls and Walmart stores blight the landscape and barbarians run the universities. He wages the good fight for the rights of students against an administration that resembles a constitutional monarchy and budget cuts that ultimately lead to his death, yet his is the last voice the reader hears as the novel ends. In the second part of the novel, his memoir, we get the Professor's delineation of all that's wrong in present-day life. Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that finance capital, real estate speculation, and the postmodern condition are discussed. —Dawn Esposito, St. John's University The Cutting Edge is a novel of powerful imagination, rollicking humour, profound insight and deep political commitment. The novel is divided into two parts. The first is The College Essays of Jenny Delight. No one is quite sure who Jenny is. It is an obvious pseudonym since there is no student by this name at the college she attends. It is a hilarious section laced with social and personal insight as Jenny tries to understand the world around her, often using categories she's learning, sometimes the most abstract categories available, and infusing them with vivid meaning. The second section, Bill of Sale, is the posthumously-discovered manuscript of Sociology Professor Fred Snyder. It is a harrowing account of very vulnerable and often screwed-up people who are totally against their society. It is a section revealing, with extraordinary power, the ruthlessness of contemporary capitalism and its relentless destructive force. The Cutting Edge is one hell of a book! —Robert Roth, author of Health Proxy At once funny and dead serious, The Cutting Edge tells it like it is about the situation of public higher education in the early 21st-century United States. Sociology professor Fred Snyder—nostalgic for the era of Marcuse and the New Left, eternally at war with the college administration, committed to the ethical and political development of his students—is a wonderful creation. Skillfully narrated from several overlapping points of view, this satirical novel cuts to the chase in its astute portrayal of the connections between contemporary capitalism and the working-class college experience. —Barbara Foley, Rutgers University The Cutting Edge is at once a meeting of teachers and students under conditions of critical hilarity, and a deeply empathetic portrait of where the commitment to re-craft our learning environments in line with their most abiding promise might lead us if we attend closely as the author does to the poignancy of the stories all around us. It rewards readers with an insightful view on a delicate landscape often overlooked. —Randy Martin, New York University