Great Divides: Readings in Social Inequality in the United States

by Thomas M. Shapiro

Drawing from classic and contemporary scholarship, the 47 readings in this anthology illustrate basic theories, concepts, and findings associated with social inequality in the United States. Many selections feature cutting-edge sociological research, providing students with new concepts and theories that inspire thought-provoking class discussion.

Genres: Sociology, Nonfiction

464 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 1998

Reviews

[Shannon Wyss · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with many books i've had sitting around for years and am just getting to reading, there were many times throughout this book that i wanted updated essays and stats that would make it more timely than my 1998 edition. My biggest problem with the book, however, is its distribution of essays. It offers 11 essays on class, 9 on race, and 7 on gender. The essays on race and class are strong, offering complementary and contradictory ways of looking at race and class in the US. The gender essays, however, are superficial and leave out many aspects of genderedness in the US. They also do nothing to present different ways that feminists have analyzed gender in this country. Granted, there's only so much you can present with 7 essays. But it's not like there aren't millions of pages out there written on gender in the United States. The editor couldn't find more readings to include? I find that hard to believe. It seems like he got tired and stopped trying when he got to the gender section. So while "Great Divides" does a good job with class and race, it shortchanges analysis of sex and gender in the US. Very disappointing.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book that discusses the social inequalities in America.