The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality [Paperback]

Dennis Gilbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0534541100 | ISBN-13: 978-0534541101 | Edition: 6

The text is a current, concise treatment of America's ever-changing class structure. Updated throughout, this sixth edition focuses on change. Dennis Gilbert includes new data on topics such as the distribution of earnings and residential segregation by class to reveal a consistent pattern of growing inequality since the early 1970s. Why, Gilbert asks, is this happening? He examines change in the economy, family life, and politics in search of an answer. This book retains the strengths that contributed to the success of previous editions. It synthesizes the best empirical studies of class and inequality in American society, focusing on nine key variables: occupation, income, wealth, prestige, association, socialization, class consciousness, power, and social mobility. Critical attention is given to major studies, from the classic small-town ethnographies of the 1930s to contemporary analyses of national mobility data. Historical sections show how the class system has changed and continues to evolve. Two strong chapters examine the relationship between social class and politics.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dennis Gilbert is Professor of Sociology at Hamilton College. He holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and has been a visiting professor at Cornell and at the Universidad Catlica in Lima, Peru. He is also author of Sandinistas: The Party and the Revolution and La ollgarquia peruana: historia de tres familias.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 6 edition (September 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534541100
• ISBN-13: 978-0534541101
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,111,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Information, Lacks "Big Picture", March 3, 2006

By 

DLJ - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality (Paperback)

This book has a WEALTH of information on poverty and class structure in America. Any statistic you were looking for on the subject is probably in here. Additionally, the author addresses many of those 'tough' issues related to class: race, school inequality, welfare reform, etc.

However, in the end, this book contains a lot of facts and figures, but not a lot of perspective. After reading this book, I was left asking myself: So what does it all mean? Where do we go from here? For me, the big picture was completely lost in all the little details.

In conclusion, I think The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality can be a good reference book for compelling statistics related to poverty and inequality, but I don't suggest attempting to read it cover-to-cover.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source of raw data, but difficult to read, March 4, 2007

By 

Joe Johnson (Nation of Joe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality (Paperback)

This book is not one I would recommend reading cover to cover. The conclusion that ends each chapter is sufficient if you need to skim the book quickly.

However, it is an excellent source of raw data on issues of social class and stratification. An excellent book for anyone interested in or who needs to write on issues of social class.

For a less scholarly but easier and quite visceral read, I recommend Class Matters, a collection of New York Times articles on social class.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good when required, October 9, 2005

By 

OStateGrl08 (Oh-io!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality (Paperback)

I bought this book for my Social Stratification class and found the information very compelling. However, the subject is presented in a very dry manner which makes the reading a bit difficult.