Charles Lemert makes sociology vital and alive in this provocative yet friendly introduction. Lemert uses personal biography and the life stories of sociologists, including female, gay and lesbian, and black social thinkers too often overlooked. He asks tough questions of race, class, and gender that most other introductions bypass.

Joe R. Feagin, Texas A&M University

From previous editions:With its significantly updated chapter on the state of the discipline since the 1960s, Lemert's Social Things continues to be the best book about the discipline and practice of sociology since C. Wright Mills's The Sociological Imagination.

Rhonda F. Levine, Colgate University

With its significantly updated chapter on the state of the discipline since the 1960s, Lemert's Social Things continues to be the best book about the discipline and practice of sociology since C. Wright Mills's The Sociological Imagination.

Rhonda F. Levine, Colgate University

Social Things is indispensable for teaching sociology well, with all of its nuances and mind-bending complexities. Lemert meets students where they are and then demonstrates to them how deeply relevant is the discipline for any thoughtful understanding of their social worlds. This has certainly been true of the first four editions and, with the welcome addition of a new chapter on 'global things on a fragile planet' in the fifth edition, it will remain required reading for all of my students.

Rebecca Overmyer-Velázquez, Whittier College

From previous editions:

Provocative and gracefully written. One of those rare ruminations on the human condition that makes you want to return to it after your first reading to ponder its ideas.

Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States and professor emeritus of Political Science, Boston University

From previous editions:

Provocative and gracefully written. One of those rare ruminations on the human condition that makes you want to return to it after your first reading to ponder its ideas.

Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States and professor emeritus of Political Science, Boston University