- Hardcover: 208 pages
- Publisher: Routledge; 2 edition (10 Oct 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0415285267
- ISBN-13: 978-0415285261
- Product Dimensions: 2 x 1.3 x 0.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- See Complete Table of Contents
Pierre Bourdieu (Key Sociologists)
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Review
'As Jenkins points out in the final pages of his book, criticism can be the sincerest form of flattery. I particularly relished his critical approach to the work of Bourdieu and believe that he has written a timely introduction which both undergraduates and experienced teachers will find stimulating and enjoyable.'- Mike Hepworth, University of Aberdeen
Product Description
This short critical introduction to Pierre Bourdieu's thought is a model of clarity and insight. Where Bourdieu's own writings are often complex, even ambiguous, Richard Jenkins is direct, concise and to the point. He emphasizes Bourdieu's contributions to theory and methodology while also dealing in detail with his substantive studies of education, social stratification and culture. His book provides the best short English-language introduction to Bourdieu's work.
'As Jenkins points out in the final pages of his book, criticism can be the sincerest form of flattery. I particularly relished his critical approach to the work of Bourdieu and believe that he has written a timely introduction which both undergraduates and experienced teachers will find stimulating and enjoyable.'- Mike Hepworth, University of Aberdeen
'As Jenkins points out in the final pages of his book, criticism can be the sincerest form of flattery. I particularly relished his critical approach to the work of Bourdieu and believe that he has written a timely introduction which both undergraduates and experienced teachers will find stimulating and enjoyable.'- Mike Hepworth, University of Aberdeen
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Pierre Bourdieu has, with no doubt conscious irony, referred to his recent study of the French university system, Homo Academicus, as a 'book for burning'. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Pierre Bourdieu has, with no doubt conscious irony, referred to his recent study of the French university system, Homo Academicus, as a 'book for burning'. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
A Massive misrepresentation: Will Put Inquisitive Undergrads off Bourdieu For all the Wrong Reasons
23 Jan 2011
Format:Paperback
This work is hugely overrated, though it offers some accessible interpretations of a few of the concepts it pretty much stops there as a useful guide due to the fact that Jenkins does not really comprehend Bourdieu. In fact this work often used as a main text on the reading list of lecturers introducing students to Bourdieu has the horrible effect of putting them off him for all the wrong reasons. Jenkins at one point shows his complete lack of comprehension of Bourdieu's field theory by accusing Bourdieu of being ahistorical. He fails to see how Bourdieu's methodology actually is about change rather than simple reproduction. He fails to have any grasp of Bourdieu's theories of agency and the room for freedom in Bourdieu's societal model. At one point he follows up a reference to a key concept by Bourdieu about 'socioanalysis' with an admittance that he doesn't understand it. He doesn't even venture to try to understand this term. Socioanalysis which is central to Bourdieu's methodology and particularly the notions of reflexivity that are integral to his work play a massive part in understanding Bourdieu. Indeed the two final books by Bourdieu are done so as examples of socioanalysis (Yes publication of these books is after Jenkins 2nd ed publication however it shows how off the mark he is about such an important concept in Bourdieusian methodology).
It is not surprising however that these massive flaws are present in this text. Jenkins appears to have only read a few of Bourdieu's earlier works and ignored the rest. He concentrates largely on the work of Distinction - a brilliant piece however not completely representative of Bourdieu's work and a reading of it should never loose sight of the fact that it is based on a 60s France. Surely if you write a book on the work of a prestigious sociologist you at least take the time to read all of his works. In his preface to the 2002 edition Jenkins dismisses all the work of bourdieu since the first publication of his book by saying it is just more of the same (really" the weight of the world" is more of the same). This pretty much highlights Jenkins approach to his analysis of Bourdieu. In truth Jenkins is a lazy scholar and this shambolic interpretation is responsible for much of the misrepresentation of Bourdieu's work that continues throughout academia. Avoid at all costs as gaining the wrong interpretation of Bourdieu could cause one to miss out on one of the best means of reinterpreting and unravelling what Marxist theory refers to as False Consciousness
It is not surprising however that these massive flaws are present in this text. Jenkins appears to have only read a few of Bourdieu's earlier works and ignored the rest. He concentrates largely on the work of Distinction - a brilliant piece however not completely representative of Bourdieu's work and a reading of it should never loose sight of the fact that it is based on a 60s France. Surely if you write a book on the work of a prestigious sociologist you at least take the time to read all of his works. In his preface to the 2002 edition Jenkins dismisses all the work of bourdieu since the first publication of his book by saying it is just more of the same (really" the weight of the world" is more of the same). This pretty much highlights Jenkins approach to his analysis of Bourdieu. In truth Jenkins is a lazy scholar and this shambolic interpretation is responsible for much of the misrepresentation of Bourdieu's work that continues throughout academia. Avoid at all costs as gaining the wrong interpretation of Bourdieu could cause one to miss out on one of the best means of reinterpreting and unravelling what Marxist theory refers to as False Consciousness
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A good, but standard, short introduction type text to Pierre Bourdieu. Very helpfully laid out and easy but interesting to read.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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1 review
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Nice Overview of Bourdieu
30 Jun 2003
Format:Paperback
While not always terribly kind to Pierre Bourdieu (okay, the truth is that this book erupts into scathing critique at some points!), this is a very readable overview of Bourdieu's main ideas and books. Jenkins sees tremendous value in the questions Bourdieu poses and in how he always theorizes from a point of view informed by field research, and in still trying to get a grasp of this French theorist's work, I found this book equally valuable to my own purposes.
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