It is riveting to witness the authors in this volume repeatedly cross the boundary between their lived experience (particularly events not conventionally written about) and sociological insight. This 'transgression' of boundaries is precisely what the sociologist's task ought to be about. Private Sociology is an invaluable addition to the growing field of sociology written from the inside out. Professionals and nonprofessionals alike will profit from reading these discerning and moving testimonies.

Robbie Pfeufer Kahn, author of Bearing Meaning: The Language of Birth

Contributors write from the conviction we have much to learn from taking unsettling aspects of our lives as sociological subject matter. Their essays demonstrate both the soundness and potential of this exciting innovation. Their candor and insights model a still-finer sociology. Both our intro courses and our seminars for majors will profit from the use of this pioneering volume.

George Dowdall, St. Joseph's University and Brown University School of Medicine

Years ago when I began to accumulate information for a topic I was researching, I began from the perspective of my own experiences within the topic I studied. I worked outward, and then back again, to understand my topic, and to comprehend each of my perspectives within it. Because I was able to place myself within my topic rather then distancing myself from it, my understanding of 'things' was clearer, more accurate. I became a better sociologist. For me, to be able to view portions of another person's life from the inside out, is an incredible way to learn more about my own life and evaluations. Each person in this book has used personal experience as the basis from which to frame his individual sociological perspectives. Because they have personalized their work, their accounts are real, and recognizable as having come from 'real' persons, about 'real' experiences. There are no objectively-distanced disembodied third person entitites in these accounts. These writers are actual people whose stories will make you laugh, cry, think, and want to know more. If you regard your own perspecitve as truly relevant to your own understanding of all to which you apply your sociological insights, you will allow yourself to experience Private Sociology

Joan I. Biddle, sociologist

Years ago when I began to accumulate information for a topic I was researching, I began from the perspective of my own experiences within the topic I studied. I worked outward, and then back again, to understand my topic, and to comprehend each of my perspectives within it. Because I was able to place myself within my topic rather then distancing myself from it, my understanding of 'things' was clearer, more accurate. I became a better sociologist. For me, to be able to view portions of another person's life from the inside out, is an incredible way to learn more about my own life and evaluations. Each person in this book has used personal experience as the basis from which to frame his individual sociological perspectives. Because they have personalized their work, their accounts are real, and recognizable as having come from 'real' persons, about 'real' experiences. There are no objectively-distanced disembodied third person entitites in these accounts. These writers are actual people whose stories will make you laugh, cry, think, and want to know more. If you regard your own perspecitve as truly relevant to your own understanding of all to which you apply your sociological insights, you will allow yourself to experience Private Sociology.

Joan I. Biddle, sociologist