Sociology [Paperback]

“With this new edition of Sociology, Anthony Giddens has done the seemingly impossible. He has lifted the best introductory text in sociology in the world to yet a further level of excellence. It is a great achievement.”

Ulrich Beck, The London School of Economics

“There’s no one on the planet with such a refined grasp of the practical and political significance of sociology as Anthony Giddens. This new edition of his best–selling textbook is his best yet.”

Anthony Elliott, University of Kent at Canterbury

"There's no one on the planet with such a refined grasp of the practical and political significance of sociology as Anthony Giddens. This new edition of his best-selling textbook is his best yet."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"I have a high opinion of Giddens's book, which I consider to be a comprehensive and lucid introduction to the major topics, debates and theoretical perspectives in sociology. It combines a detailed overview of the contemporary sociological landscape with sensitivity to the enduring debt that the discipline owes to earlier theorists."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"This new edition is fresh, engaging and topical. One particular feature is worth a mention: a striking introduction that catches the reader's attention right at the start is very effective educationally. I remain a fan of such pedagogical devices. The point is made economically and strikingly at the very beginning and is then carried through the chapter. Some of the chapters do this in an exemplary fashion."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"The main reason for recommending Giddens's text over many of its competitors lies in the way that the book handles the various sociological specialisms. Although structured through specialist fields such as crime and deviance, families, gender and sexuality and so on, Giddens never loses sight of the general sociological perspective amid the welter of detailed and specialized knowledge. This introductory textbook stands out as a welcome antidote to the impression of fragmentation and diversity of the discipline which students often come away with from textbooks. Giddens still succeeds in demonstrating the continuing intellectual excitement of the sociological enterprise to all new students. For me, this is the foremost consideration when choosing a core introductory textbook and Giddens's Sociology is peerless in this regard."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Revised and updated throughout, it provides an authoritative overview of recent global developments and new ideas in sociology. Classic debates are also given careful coverage, with even the most complex ideas explained in an engaging way.

Written in a fluent, easy–to–follow style, the book manages to be intellectually rigorous but still very accessible. It aims to engage and excite readers, helping them to see the value of thinking sociologically.

The sixth edition includes:

• substantive new material on education, media, social theory, inequalities, politics and government, and a whole new chapter on war and terrorism
  
  
• further revisions and updating in all the chapters
  
  
• a strong focus on global sociology, and the sociological imagination
  
  
• new ‘classic studies’ boxes, which examine in detail influential empirical research
  
  
• additional ‘thinking critically’ sections woven through the text, to stimulate students’ own insights
  
  
• specially chosen, eye–catching photographs, which capture the everyday drama of the social world

A best–selling textbook for more than 20 years, the sixth edition sets the standard for introductory sociology. It is the ideal teaching text for first–year University and college courses, and will help to inspire a new generation of sociologists.

Please visit the accompanying website at www.polity.co.uk/giddens6.

Please visit the accompanying website at www.polity.co.uk/giddens6.