Essentials of Sociology

by Anthony Giddens, Michael Duneier, Richard Appelbaum

The best-selling Introduction to Sociology is now available in an abridged edition. Featuring a striking design, helpful pedagogy, and a global perspective, Essentials of Sociology packages the best facets of the Fifth Edition of Introduction to Sociology in a shorter, more flexible edition. With fewer topics covered in only sixteen chapters, students can focus on the essentials while learning about the connections between American and world societies. An in-text study guide and extensive student Web site help students study and review, while online instructor's resources assist with teaching and grading.

Genres: Sociology, Textbooks, School, Nonfiction, Social Science, College, Society

476 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Anthony Giddens, Baron Giddens (born 18 January 1938) is a British sociologist who is renowned for his theory of structuration and his holistic view of modern societies. He is considered to be one of the most prominent modern contributors in the field of sociology, the author of at least 34 books, published in at least 29 languages, issuing on average more than one book every year. In 2007, Giddens was listed as the fifth most-referenced author of books in the humanities.

Three notable stages can be identified in his academic life. The first one involved outlining a new vision of what sociology is, presenting a theoretical and methodological understanding of that field, based on a critical reinterpretation of the classics. His major publications of that era include Capitalism and Modern Social Theory (1971) and New Rules of Sociological Method (1976). In the second stage Giddens developed the theory of structuration, an analysis of agency and structure, in which primacy is granted to neither. His works of that period, such as Central Problems in Social Theory (1979) and The Constitution of Society (1984), brought him international fame on the sociological arena.

The most recent stage concerns modernity, globalization and politics, especially the impact of modernity on social and personal life. This stage is reflected by his critique of postmodernity, and discussions of a new "utopian-realist"[3] third way in politics, visible in the Consequence of Modernity (1990), Modernity and Self-Identity (1991), The Transformation of Intimacy (1992), Beyond Left and Right (1994) and The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy (1998). Giddens' ambition is both to recast social theory and to re-examine our understanding of the development and trajectory of modernity.

Currently Giddens serves as Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics.

Reviews

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still remember the moment—sitting in the Rau’s IAS classroom, whiteboard markers uncapped, a cup of tea slowly going cold beside me, and Giddens' Essentials of Sociology opened like a philosopher’s spellbook in front of me. I wasn’t reading it like a student; I was reading it like a bridge-builder. Because when you teach, especially in a place like Rau’s, you’re not just passing on knowledge—you’re translating complexity into clarity.

Giddens helped me do that.

The book, deceptively titled Essentials, is anything but basic. It’s rich, layered, alive with empirical insight and theoretical nuance. Yet it remains immensely readable. Whether it’s the dissection of social institutions, the dialogue between structure and agency, or the brilliant re-articulation of Durkheim, Weber, and Marx for a modern reader, Giddens manages to pull you into sociology like it’s the bloodstream of society.

“Sociology is not just a subject—it is a form of consciousness.”
—Anthony Giddens (from a lecture, echoed in tone throughout the book)

That quote haunted me. It transformed the way I approached the lecture. I stopped trying to 'teach' sociology that day and started performing it—like theatre, like poetry, like a mirror held up to the chaotic, beautiful, messy social world we live in.

Two decades later, I still go back to Giddens—not because I’ve forgotten the basics, but because his writing reminds me why I fell in love with the discipline in the first place.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my sociology class and you better believe I’m counting it towards my Goodreads challenge because goddamit textbooks are the only thing I’ve read this semester and I’m tired... but to say something positive uh... good book. My sociology professor was the sweetest and coolest man ever, and my classmates for this class were all amazing. So yeah, this book carries to me memorable moments from our Blackboard meetings and failed attempt of everyone in the group chat to actually meet IRL

[Talycat45 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly this is one of the better textbooks I've had to read. The content is interesting to me and the structure the author uses makes it feel more conversational. I also think the examples used are really beneficial for the explanation of the vocab and keeping the reader interested. If I had more time, I would've actually finished reading this book for class, but the semester has come to an end which is why I'm "abandoning" it.

[Milkcrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read the 9th edition digital version, where you have to be always online and logged in. It's like a book, but worse.

as for content, it's got some interesting stuff in there. I learnt a lot about the old sociology boys Weber, Durkheim, and Marx, and their theories. I feel as though the book goes over a whole lot of content, but not a whole lot of detail. It's for an into course, so that's to be expected I guess.

[FRANCIS VANDI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introduction text to the field of sociology. It provided a good look at various aspects of the field and some interesting facts and figures that are sure to make students look at our social world a bit differently.

[David Bates · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't rate a textbook higher than a three on principle.

I'll say this - this textbook didn't fill me with the despair one usually feels when faced with a textbook. It was okay.

[K8💅]

SOC 1004, i will miss you

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, it took me a while to get through it...