Product Description

The third edition of the highly–acclaimed Contemporary British Society is the only textbook to provide comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Completely revised and updated, this new edition employs the very latest statistical information and empirical studies, and examines all the new arguments and debates concerning modern British society.

Separate chapters explore the major areas of modern life in Britain – economic organization, employment, patterns of inequality, class, gender, ethnicity, family and households, education, health, media, deviance and politics. New to this edition are chapters on globalization, associations, and leisure.

The emphasis throughout the book is on an accessible, user–friendly, and non–technical approach. It is written in a jargon–free and approachable style; there is extensive cross–referencing and frequent and clear summarizing of arguments; and numerous photographs, diagrams, graphs, drawings and cartoons complement and illuminate the text.

Contemporary British Society is written for students of introductory sociology whether they are taking ′A′ level or are in the first year of an undergraduate course in a higher education institution. It will also be useful for those taking courses in other subjects, such as social policy, health and town planning, which demand knowledge of particular aspects of British society.

Please visit the accompanying website at: http://www.polity.co.uk/cbs3

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #250398 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 624 pages

Review
′The combination of theoretical sophistication and up–to–date empirical evidence makes this new edition of this highly successful textbook valuable to students and their teachers alike.′ Professor Rosemary Crompton, City University

′The first two editions have established this as clearly the outstanding textbook on contemporary Britain. The third edition consolidates and advances this reputation. This book is highly readable and comprehensive in its coverage, and it makes such wide reference to recent research that it will be of interest not only to students but also to lecturers, researchers, and even the general public. This is an exemplary textbook in every respect.′ Professor Mike Savage, Department of Sociology, Manchester University

′This is an admirable introduction to sociology and the understanding of contemporary British society. The authors have maintained the clarity and incisiveness of earlier editions while substantially revising the content. It provides a comprehensive coverage of developments in sociology and society over the last decade.′ Stephen Hill, Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics

′Now in its 3rd edition, Contemporary British Society is starting to take–on the appearance of a standard A–level textbook, with many of the major specification areas now covered. The focus, however, is less upon superficial coverage of numerous topics and more upon the comprehensive coverage of a range of significant aspects of each specification area, written by a specialist in each field ... the book contains a mass of illustrative material (tables, diagrams, box–outs) that lightens the text and provides potentially useful interpretive material for teachers.′ Sociology Central

′As cogent and accessible an account of the social structure of a particular modern society as could be required.′ Times Higher Education Supplement

Professor Mike Savage, Department of Sociology, Manchester University
This is an exemplary textbook in every respect.

Stephen Hill, Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics
This is an admirable introduction to sociology and the understanding of contemporary British society.

Customer Reviews

A must for social policy students
This book is a must for social policy students or anyone interested in issues affecting British society today. It combines sociological analysis of such areas as the family, education and deviance with comprehensive explanations of the political reforms which have changed the face of the welfare state over the last fifty years. Each chapter ends with a summary of the main points raised as well as recommedations for further reading and cross referencing. The glossary gives excellent definitions of some of the more complex jargon used. However, the book is generally easy to understand, well set out and very up to date with some useful information on New Labour's recent reforms of the NHS. Altogether a thoroughly good read which I highly recommend

Contemporary British Society
Full of lots of intresting facts and basic knowledge will be very useful in my assignments.

Dreary
I found this a very dreary book. In places it is poorly written. There is much descriptive material; too much. As a consequence it is weak on analysis and explanation. Often it seemed the authors were pushing their own viewpoints, with little attempt to support with reasons. The presentation of tabulated material is poor (in several places I found it very difficult to work out what the data represented, in at least one impossible. I don't usually have such problems.)
I wouldn't recommend this as a stand alone text. It might be useful as a supplement to other material.