Customer Reviews

Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (9th Edition)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This review is written for other instructors considering or using this textbook to teach introductory sociology. It's not a general review of the book from a student perspective.

Henslin writes various sizes of the down-to-earth textbooks, small (core concepts), medium (essentials), and large (the main textbook, this one). All of them feature Henslin's real-life approach and emphasize common sense vs. social knowledge based on facts and on use of sociological concepts. But it is sloppily edited. In every edition of these books that I have seen, including the new 10th edition, and in each size (s, m, l), an important error is repeated in the gender chapter: the claim that most victims of homicide are female. The error is in the chapter text, the chapter-end summary, and the test bank (watch out for that question). It matters because a) I'm trying to teach students that facts are more reliable than guesses, stereotypes, and media-based perceptions, b) the particular error reflects the slant of the gender chapter, which is women-as-victims-of-men, when the truth is more complex (women are also victimized by women in many ways, in many countries; and men are most often the targets of violence by men), and c) if students are paying this much for a book, the basic facts should be right.

I've communicated this error repeatedly over the past year to my rep, who is unwilling or unable to pass it on to the publisher. I tried to find a way to contact the publisher via the website and gave up. I don't want to knock the book as a whole--it has many good features--but I won't use it again until this is fixed. There are too many similar alternatives, and I can always discuss some of Henslin's common sense vs. reality points in class without using it as a required text. I like the TestGen system, and the testbank for this book is good with the exception of the question I've pointed out here. (On the other hand, there may be other factual errors in the book that I haven't noticed.)

As an instructor, I've found that the password-protected study site is a disadvantage of this book and publisher. The study site is high quality and is great if the student buys the book with the password card still attached. But students who buy it used without the card get upset when they can't access the site and blame me for the problem. Open-access study sites are the way to go, publishers! This is one of those textbooks in which continual new editions are not really needed but get published anyway because of the changing structure of the textbook market. That practice is so common that although it creates incredible book costs for students, there are few ways to get around it.

I bought this book for a required class. With most classes, I have trouble reading the textbook. With this book, I had trouble putting it down! This book has some great details and stories that seem to link together with other psyc classes. My ONLY complaint is it does NOT come with an access code to the website and the fee to use the website is around $70! Too expensive for a student!

I had to take a Sociology class as an elective and I had to use this book. Despite that I hated the class, but the book itself made it less harder on me. I'm not into either literature or philosophy or sociology or all this, but once I started reading the first couple pages, I found myself kind of I want to read more and more. The author made it very appealing, by giving a very nice examples (as short stories) from all around the world. His example makes you realize things you live everyday and their impacts on your life and others life, without you noticing it.
It's so good written, that my wife did not allow me to sell it back after I finish the class (I got 'B')

I looked at the Pearson Ed book website and compared the table of contents and it seems to be that there is very little difference, but almost $100 difference in price. As far as content goes, pretty much your typical sociology book, easy to read and full of content, if only the professor actually used it to teach.

Even though subjects such as sociology don't change much, this text offers a nice modern twist on this topic. The graphics are clear and attention-grabbing. Not only does Henslin make the text easy to follow, but he also throws in some interesting real-life examples of important terms/topics. I couldn't have asked for a better text for this course! I earned an A because I was actually interested in what we were learning.

It came in good condition. I am very pleased... I have yet to really need it but it was a requirement for my class there for I had no choice... But It came in fast and was in good condition very promising and I am very pleased. :)

My order was shipped out the day I ordered it and my product was in the condition as stated. I'm satisfied with my purchase.

Product was great, I bought a text book for a sociology class at 1/10 the price I would have paid at the book store.

The book was in great condition, and it was delivered earlier than expected. I will definitely use Amazon again in the future.

The book was in great condition when I got it and was shipped in a very timely manner. Great service, great product. Thanks!