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Title: Essentials of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, Fifth Edition by James M. Henslin ISBN: 0-205-38925-2 Publisher: Pearson Allyn & Bacon Pub. Date: 24 February, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $63.40 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (4 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Great Introductory Text
Comment: I believe one of the previous reviews of this book tried to criticize it for its "preaching of liberal dogmas" and tried to say that it was unbalanced. This is simply not the case. The author of this text is merely trying to use an open approach to encompass all aspects of sociology and thereby be a little more open-minded in his writing. So there's a little subjectivity, who cares? It's nearly impossible to write something and be 100 percent objective because there will always be a bit of your own opinion of the matter leak into what you're trying to point out. The point is, this book is simply fascinating from front to back. It is extremely easy to relate to and understand (though it is not meant for high schoolers), the information is surprisingly up-to-date with many examples in the charts and graphs, and it is simply fun to read. The book covers everything from the sociological perspective and culture to global stratification and social change in such a broad manner that you'll never lose track of what you're reading. Not only this, but the book also comes with some amazing study materials including links to a website with some of the best quizzes I've seen (they've helped me tremendously on my tests) and also other study guides such as flash cards and outlines of the chapters to help you make a study guide. All in all, Henslin's book IS the best book out there on which to embark your study of sociology. Even if you don't like it, you will find yourself interested by the many examples that Henslin provides to relate to his concepts. The only gripe I have is the fact that the book is paperback. If you're able to find a hardback edition please do so because it will last longer and will be able to be used a lot more often than the paperback will.
Rating: 1
Summary: Garbage
Comment: The previous reviewers have lauded this college textbook for its accessibility and lucidity. I do not disagree with that assertion. In fact, I would go even farther to say that this book insults the intelligence of any college student who chooses to read it. The book cannot be, by any reasonable definition, considered 'academic'. Indeed, the level of written panders to the dumb and leaves the rest of us wondering about assumptions that are left unanswered. Morever, the book makes bizzare definitions of intuitive terms such as 'family' without qualifying any of its assertions.
Perhaps the worst part of the book isnt even its fault. Sociology is an inherently collectivist discipline. Thus, by nature it is extremely left-leaning. That intrinsic bias in the field maps out directly onto the ideology of the book. The book contually victimizes whoever the oppressed group du jour may be -- whether it be minorities (but not asians, god forbid), gays and lesbians, the poor etc. etc. The book teaches liberal dogmas as doctrine and consequently, does not even consider any potential objections to them. In particular, in discussing public policy, the book mentions the fallacy of "blaming the victim", whereby a bystander blames whoever these "victims" may be for their situation. This presupposes that these people are victims. Instead, victimhood is blindly asserted, and the fallacy is paralleled to a situation where one would blame a rape victim for being overly showy. From neo-marxism, to cultural relativism, to its unfair and tilted view of capitalism, this book fails as an academic text. No wonder people who leave academia with a liberal arts background invariably are liberal. If you want liberal dogma as well as the state of the intelligentsia in a nullshell, read this book. if you want a balanced view of the social sciences as an engaging and balanced text, don't.
Rating: 5
Summary: Readable, Interesting Textbook
Comment: 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.
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Title: Down to Earth Sociology: Introductory Readings, 12th Edition by James M. Henslin ISBN: 0743247167 Publisher: Free Press Pub. Date: 01 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America by Alex Kotlowitz ISBN: 0385265565 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 01 February, 1992 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Exploring Social Life: Readings to Accompany Essentials of Sociology by James M. Henslin ISBN: 0205407498 Publisher: Pearson Allyn & Bacon Pub. Date: 23 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $21.60 |
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Title: Study Guide Plus for Henslin: Sociology a Down-To-Earth Approach by Gwendolyn E. Nyden ISBN: 0205287247 Publisher: Prentice Hall Pub. Date: 01 June, 1999 List Price(USD): $22.00 |
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Title: Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (6th Edition) by James M. Henslin ISBN: 0205352243 Publisher: Allyn & Bacon Pub. Date: 28 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $91.20 |
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