Rachel Brooks's Education and Society is the sociology of education for the twenty-first century. It is beautifully written, accessible, thoroughly researched and deals with pressing contemporary education issues from multiple sociological perspectives. This book is a must read for all sociologists of education seeking to understand the places, policies and processes of education in our tumultuous globalising times.

Bob Lingard, University of Queensland, Australia

Brooks is to be congratulated on producing such a wonderfully clear, engaging and comprehensive introduction to key themes and perspectives in the sociology of education. A hugely diverse and fascinating range of topics is covered - from epigenetics to home-schooling, sexual harassment in schools and universities, to the ways in which education is implicated in global population flows and projects of nation-building. Highly recommended for students at all levels of their undergraduate and graduate studies as well as seasoned scholars wanting to familiarise themselves with new developments in the sociology of education or looking for fresh insights on familiar themes.

Sharon Gewirtz, King's College London, UK

In a time of increasing inequality and budget cuts to public education, we should all welcome a book like Education and Society that provides a clear and accessible sociological overview of education as a social institution. Brooks pays particular attention to the ways in which the education experience has been differentiated by class, race, and gender, as well as the impact neoliberal policies have had on the educational experience of all students. Her attention to power dynamics, even down to the ethics of educational research is a refreshing addition to our understanding of the educational field.

Allison L. Hurst, Oregon State University, USA

A refreshingly up-to-date and much-needed textbook engaging with the complexities of education systems in contemporary society … beautifully written, authoritative, and highly engaging.

Nicola Ingram, Lancaster University, UK

Education and Society is a highly creative and innovative take on the field of sociology of education … A fantastic and very valuable contribution to a field that desperately needs an injection of new textbooks. I think it will make an excellent resource for students and lecturers alike.

Peter Hemming, Cardiff University, UK

This superb book effortlessly combines theoretical reasoning with empirical evidence and offers a breadth, scope and depth that is unrivalled by any text currently available on the complex relationships between education and society.

Wolfgang Lehmann, University of Western Ontario, Canada, UK