Race and Ethnic Relations: American and Global Perspectives [Hardcover]

Martin N. Marger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0534514332 | ISBN-13: 978-0534514334 | Edition: 5th

This is the only race and ethnic relations book available that combines international materials with the traditional material that focuses on American racial and ethnic issues. Also includes comparative content without sacrificing the American focus.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Martin N. Marger received his bachelor's degree from the University of Miami, his master's from Florida State University and his doctorate from Michigan State University. In addition to his research and writing in the field of race and ethnic relations, his work includes studies in social inequality and political sociology. Currently he teaches in the Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science at Michigan State, where he is also associate director of the Canadian Studies Center. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Pub Co; 5th edition (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534514332
• ISBN-13: 978-0534514334
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,341,897 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:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easily the best textbook on racial and ethnic relations, April 22, 2005

By 

Vato-Curandero - See all my reviews

This review is from: Race and Ethnic Relations: American and Global Perspectives (with InfoTrac) (Hardcover)

I first read this book my junior year of college when I took a sociology class titled "Racial and Ethnic Relations." I learned so much information from reading this book, and I recommend it to others who either teach college-level courses or who are writing research papers and need a good reference book. As an anthropologist, I am extremely critical of the way my field inadequately handles the scholarly study of racial/ethnic conflict - particularly anthropology's lack of a coherent theoretical framework for analysis of prejudice and discrimination. Fortunately, Marger introduces students to various psychological and social theories and does so without employing heavy, technical jargon. Another great aspect of this book is its cross-cultural examination of racial/ethnic relations in Brazil, Canada, Northern Ireland, and South Africa.

Reading this book as a junior in college fueled my intellectual curiosity to comprehensively examine racial and ethnic relations.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By far the best textbook on race and ethnic relations, June 18, 2007

By 

Michelle Cheuk - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Race and Ethnic Relations: American and Global Perspectives, 7th Edition (Hardcover)

I taught this as an undergraduate sociology course at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and I looked through about 20 textbooks before I found this one. It's the ONLY textbook on race and ethnic relations that doesn't only or primarily focus on the United States. Race happens in other countries! Americans can be so U.S.-centric. One can only really understand one's own country when comparing with others. Especially with race, which is so ingrained in us, it greatly helps to step out of the box and then be able to come back to our society with a more balanced perspective.

Also, Marger's writing is crystal-clear, insightful, organized, and very balanced and knowledgeable. You won't believe the number of textbooks which never adequately and clearly define the basic and complex concepts such as race, ethnicity, prejudice, stereotype, and discrimination. Also, Marger is one of the few authors who talks about the mostly-overlooked concept of the importance of form of contact (e.g., voluntary migration, forced migration, annexation, conquest) in determining the character of ethnic relations.

With most textbooks, students come away with, "Blacks are like this, Whites are like this, Hispanics are like this, Asians are like this," but with no overall understanding of the nature and social forces of ethnic relations. With Marger's book, the reader is able to make broad generalizations that characterize ethnic relations and understand the conditions which produce various outcomes.

I am super-impressed with this book, and I look forward to continuing to use it for years to come.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best book of all times., April 16, 2005

By 

millineumlaura - See all my reviews

This review is from: Race and Ethnic Relations: American and Global Perspectives (with InfoTrac) (Hardcover)

I have read this book and must say that Mr. Marger is brilliant. This book is fantastic if you want to learn about all races and ethnicities. I was so attached to this book each day that I read the material, it was very hard to place down, even for a second. I now have a clearer understanding and sincere respect for other races and cultures.