Customer Reviews

Essentials of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, 7th Edition (MySocLab Series)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This book was required for a sociology course I took in college, and I have to say I wasn't very excited about sociology, but this book made the course interesting - it's very readable, up-to-date and uses many examples of sociology in action. It also has lots of pictures and charts to add interest. The companion website is also a good resource for additional information as well as practice quizzes. All in all an excellent text book.

I believe one of the previous reviews of this book tried to criticize it for its "preaching of liberal dogmas" and tried to say that it was unbalanced. This is simply not the case. The author of this text is merely trying to use an open approach to encompass all aspects of sociology and thereby be a little more open-minded in his writing. So there's a little subjectivity, who cares? It's nearly impossible to write something and be 100 percent objective because there will always be a bit of your own opinion of the matter leak into what you're trying to point out. The point is, this book is simply fascinating from front to back. It is extremely easy to relate to and understand (though it is not meant for high schoolers), the information is surprisingly up-to-date with many examples in the charts and graphs, and it is simply fun to read. The book covers everything from the sociological perspective and culture to global stratification and social change in such a broad manner that you'll never lose track of what you're reading. Not only this, but the book also comes with some amazing study materials including links to a website with some of the best quizzes I've seen (they've helped me tremendously on my tests) and also other study guides such as flash cards and outlines of the chapters to help you make a study guide. All in all, Henslin's book IS the best book out there on which to embark your study of sociology. Even if you don't like it, you will find yourself interested by the many examples that Henslin provides to relate to his concepts. The only gripe I have is the fact that the book is paperback. If you're able to find a hardback edition please do so because it will last longer and will be able to be used a lot more often than the paperback will.

I have to disagree with the reviewers who consider this book Marxist and liberal. I took a sociology class back in 1989 in a South American country with a newly established democratic government. During the prior military dictatorships, public universities had shut down the psychology and sociology departments because they were perceived as dangerous for the status quo. So with these fields of study openly taught after years of silencing, sociology professors and students had a very politically charged, liberal and marxist bend. So, if you think this book is marxist, I can assure you it is not. It is much more balanced than what I expected and I actually enjoy the field of sociology now after reading this book. What gives me the authority to say this? I am a non-liberal Christian! Thank you.

My intro Sociology class required that I pick this up. Although there are newer editions now, there weren't at the time. Henslin should be considered a well-rounded expert in his field. I have accumulated numerous credit hours and in all of them, I have had maybe 4 books that I liked to read. Personal anecdotes and individual reflections and examples make this book easy reading. The easier it is, the better you can soak up the info. Bravo. I'd suggest to any Soc. prof that they use this book!

The book is okay but it is not very well written. Henslin seem to be writing down because this text is only written at a 10th grade level, as tested by a SMOG readability test. It covers the basics in Sociology but at a very elementary level. However, it does seem that some fields of academia are now using "dumbed down" texts.

The heading is very tricky. It makes you think that it comes with an access code for the mysoclab series. Had I known, I wouldn't have purchased this because it comes out more expensive than the one that's sold at our school. I was gonna return it but I didn't want to go through all the trouble of doing so, so I had to buy the access code online which is $50! I ended up spending more than $120 instead of getting it from the school for $80 WITH the access code included in it! Very disappointing..

This book gives an overview of what sociology is. Overall I thought it was a good book and it was enjoyable to read.

The book is reflexively liberal. The author's first person accounts of his worldwide travels, frequently to the most wretched places on Earth, were interesting.

The book, which is a college text, is written at an 8th grade level.

This textbook has interesting opening vignettes which makes the entire chapter enticing. It's easily understood as the authors reference the meaning of words in the text. The language is advanced enough for senior sociology students to read it without feeling spoon fed.

James Henslin has a great ability to keep you interested. This book is not only a good textbook and reference, it also keeps your attention and informs you. Sociology is not my major but this book has definitely made me consider switching to it.