Review of Sociology: A Brief but Critical Introduction, 2nd edition, by Anthony Giddens

Authors

Michael R. Hill, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1988

Citation

Hill, Michael R. 1988. Review of Sociology: A Brief but Critical Introduction, 2nd edition, by Anthony Giddens. Teaching Sociology 16 (July): 302-304.

Comments

Copyright 1988 Michael R. Hill

Abstract

As Giddens announces correctly in the preface, "This book differs from most other introductory texts in sociology in several ways" (p. vii). It concentrates on theory, "the core of theoretical concerns which sociology shares with all the social sciences" (p. vii). Giddens asserts, "I do not adopt the usual view that these issues are unimportant to those seeking to achieve an initial acquaintance with sociology. Neither do I accept the equally common idea that such matters are too complex to be grasped before the reader has a mastery of the more empirical content of the subject" (pp. vii-viii). On the basis of my own experience in teaching this book in freshman-level introductory sociology courses, I am pleased to report that Giddens's assumptions are fully justified.