Forest and the Trees: Sociology as Life, Practice, and Promise

by Allan Johnson

If sociology could teach everyone just one thing, what would it be? The Forest and the Trees is one sociologist's response to the hypothetical--the core insight with the greatest potential to change how people see the world and themselves in relation to it. This revised and updated edition features: - A new chapter that brings together the various aspects of the sociological model described in previous chapters with a detailed application to the origins of racism in the United States - A discussion of how individuals can participate in social change by stepping off paths of least resistance - The addition of graphics to illustrate the sociological model of systems and individuals

Genres: Sociology, Nonfiction, Social Science, Psychology, Self Help, Politics

203 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Teodora Paslaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful. The book helped me see the world as a collection of systems that interact, and it taught me how, if we want to fix systemic problems, we need to abandon our individual way of thinking and look at the way society shapes the individual. I'm studying psychology, and I think this book is useful for other psychologists because it shows how the problems an individual faces are often sociological problems.

[Sheherazahde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally just started reading this book and I already think it is brilliant!
I was wondering why I didn't read this when I was studying Sociology in college and the reason is that it wasn't written yet. It only came out in 2008.

"Practicing sociology is a way to observe the world and to think about and make sense of it. it is also a way to be *in* the world and *of* the world, to play a meaningful role in the life of our species as it shapes and reshapes itself into the mystery of what is going on and what it has to do with us." p3

"We are always participating in something larger than ourselves, and if we want to understand social life and what happens to people in it, we have to understand what it is that we are participating in and how we are participating in it. In other words, key to understanding social life is neither just the forest nor just the trees but the forest *and* the trees and the consequences that result from their dynamic relationship to each other. " p12

[Sam Caminker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genny would love this book and Malli would hate it

[nihi · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so insightful and informative, im really glad i read it. and even though the book was kind of short it covered so many areas of sociology. and i took a long time to read it but i feel like thts better than reading it all in one sitting, cos i was able to actually absorb it.

[Shannon Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book used as a textbook

[Nathan Bachner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnson takes a microscope to society and explains why humans do and don't do activities. Such as divorce, murder, theft and other societal practices.

[Milind · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book everybody should read - short, but gives you a way to look at and think about seemingly everything in life and society that affects us.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful overview of sociological thinking and systems of privilege and oppression. Characteristic of Johnson’s approachable writing style.

[Mladen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too opinionated.

[aya · Rating 2 out of 5]

i feel like this guy did something really racist at some point and this was his way of atoning

[Becky]

過去在無數個網路討論裡看到的書名，讀起來比預期的淺顯易懂非常多，還有一些現在讀來稍嫌不必要的輕鬆語氣，社會學必備入門書當之無愧。

[Juliana Epstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book, I learned a lot and absolutely recommend to anyone who is interested in learning about how and why society works the way it does.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was assigned to read a few chapters of "The Forest and the Trees" for my sociology class, but I decided to finish the book because it's a short read. Using sociology, Johnson defines structures, cultures, and actions to then address societal issues. He largely focuses on the faults of individualism, as the thought fails to address people's relationship with their system. I agree with his approach and thinking, which is a reason why I enjoyed the read. At the same time, however, much of the book seems to be common sense. The only people who wouldn't get it are those who are those who choose to support the US's capitalist system, which is inherently inequitable and oppressive.

[Kelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a very systematic view of social science, insightful and interesting. I never get bored.

I would say I should have taken notes when I was reading, because some sentences are sooo great!

[julianna ☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ sociology is alright ig

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a very good way to introduce the subject of Sociology. In context, I read this as a sort of "textbook" for my Introduction to Sociology class and it was great for that because not only did it provide clear definitions of basic terms, but it also provided vivid examples to illustrate these basic (but necessary) points.

However, I did find the need to mark it down a star because I felt that it was a bit too opinionated for an introductory read. Perhaps it was the classroom context that I read it in, but I find that it is harder to take the quality of the material seriously enough, when you are too busy arguing the authors viewpoint at times.

However, for anyone interested in Sociology or any professor who is considering using this as material for an introductory course, I do recommend this book. A suggestion to teachers/professors would be to pair this book with textbook material or use this as an extra credit or project type of assignment.

[Tim Kadlec · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating introduction to sociology. While I can't say that I agree with every conclusion the author came too, I can say that the book has many moments that will make you stop and think about things from a perspective you've never considered.

Ultimately, that's the point of the book - to open the readers mind to thinking about daily interactions in a new light based on the belief that every thought and every action is fundamentally related. Recommended.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know what sociology is and how sociologists think about and understand the world but don't want to read an academic text, this is the book for you.

Very accessible and reader-friendly, I highly recommend this book to academics and non-academics alike.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives a really good overview of sociological thought for the layperson. Demonstrates why looking at the problems that face us today - such as poverty, racism, and crime - from a sociological point of view is so important.

[Fu-min · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great book for knowing sociology.

[Yolly]

perpect

[Adam De Guire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating analysis of social systems and how individuals fit inside them. The writing is very clear and almost airy, despite the sometimes heavy topics.

[mz · Rating 4 out of 5]

so much good info and cool ideas to make you look at the world thru sociological perspective. will read again, this time not for a class!

[Radical Reviewer]

The Radical Reviewer did an excellent review of The Forest and the Trees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA_gt...

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad overview, but a bit dry. Written for an audience completely unfamiliar with or suspicious of sociological concepts.

[Leisurecan · Rating 3 out of 5]

引发了我对自己偏向个人主义的反思。我所选择的最小阻力路径和他人的可能截然相反。特别喜欢大富翁的比喻，社会规则并不会因为玩家的个人特质而改变。奇怪的是不再强调个人主义反而解决了对特权的负罪感，因而更可以付诸行动。