Product Description

Henslin's best-selling brief paperback text shares the excitement of sociology–its acclaimed “down-to-earth” approach and personal writing style highlight the sociology of everyday life and its relevance to students' lives. This text is a brief version of the highly regarded hardcover introductory text, Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, 7/e. The essential 15 chapters cover all of the topics in the 22-chapter text, and retain the dual emphases on micro and macro (individual and structural) sociology. James Henslin has a unique ability to engage students without talking down to them or sacrificing content. With wit, personal reflection, and illuminating examples, he shares with readers a passion for sociology unmatched by any other introductory text.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112416 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 pages

From the Back Cover
A brief version of the top-selling introductory text Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach. The 15 core chapters retain the dual emphases on micro and macro (individual and structural) sociology, as well as the approach that has been so well received with the big book: an emphasis on culture, everyday life, and a generous use of down-to-earth examples that help make sociology come alive.

About the Author
James M. Henslin, who was born in Minnesota, graduated from high school and junior college in California and from college in Indiana. Awarded scholarships, he earned his Master¿s and doctorate degrees in sociology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. After this, he was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the National Institute of Mental Health, and spent a year studying how people adjust to the suicide of a family member. His primary interests in sociology are the sociology of everyday life, deviance, and international relations. Among his more than a dozen books is Down to Earth Sociology (Free Press), now in its eleventh edition, a book of readings that reflects some of these sociological interests. He has also published widely in sociology journals, including Social Problems and American Journal of Sociology. While a graduate student, James Henslin taught at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. After completing his doctorate, he joined the faculty at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, where he is Professor Emeritus of Sociology. He says, "I've always found the introductory course enjoyable to teach. I love to see students' faces light up when they first glimpse the sociological perspective and begin to see how society has become an essential part of how they view the world." Henslin enjoys spending time with his wife, reading, and fishing. His two favorite activities are writing and traveling. He especially enjoys living in other cultures, for this brings him face to face with behaviors and ways of thinking that he cannot take for granted, experiences that "make sociological principles come alive."

Customer Reviews

Readable, Interesting Textbook
This book was required for a sociology course I took in college, and I have to say I wasn't very excited about sociology, but this book made the course interesting - it's very readable, up-to-date and uses many examples of sociology in action. It also has lots of pictures and charts to add interest. The companion website is also a good resource for additional information as well as practice quizzes. All in all an excellent text book.

Interesting read
I have to disagree with the reviewers who consider this book Marxist and liberal. I took a sociology class back in 1989 in a South American country with a newly established democratic government. During the prior military dictatorships, public universities had shut down the psychology and sociology departments because they were perceived as dangerous for the status quo. So with these fields of study openly taught after years of silencing, sociology professors and students had a very politically charged, liberal and marxist bend. So, if you think this book is marxist, I can assure you it is not. It is much more balanced than what I expected and I actually enjoy the field of sociology now after reading this book. What gives me the authority to say this? I am a non-liberal Christian! Thank you.

At last! An interesting text book.
My intro Sociology class required that I pick this up. Although there are newer editions now, there weren't at the time. Henslin should be considered a well-rounded expert in his field. I have accumulated numerous credit hours and in all of them, I have had maybe 4 books that I liked to read. Personal anecdotes and individual reflections and examples make this book easy reading. The easier it is, the better you can soak up the info. Bravo. I'd suggest to any Soc. prof that they use this book!