Books
Sociological takes on recent news and research.
Beyond “Post 9/11”
Sociologist Erik Love reviews the books Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire and Terrifying Muslims. Each move beyond “post 9/11” explanations for anti-Muslim sentiment, showing how Islamophobia is best understood not as a temporary backlash, but rather as stemming from longstanding and durable forms of racial bigotry and colonialism. Read MoreThe Chattering Class
Sociologist Michael Schudson reviews Ronald Jacobs and Eleanor Townsley’s The Space of Opinion. He argues that this full-length study of opinion journalism in the United States makes a strong case that the mix of diverse opinions, formats, and personalities in our era of op-ed pages, talk radio, and cable TV helps engage citizens with politics and improves democratic deliberation. Read MoreReligious Origins
Eduardo Mendieta reviews the book Religion in Human Evolution. He reflects on Robert Bellah's massive book on the role of religion in human evolution up to the Axial Period, and the emergence of second order cognitive and moral reflexivity. Read MoreBreakthrough Books: Education
Scholars sound off about the books that shaped how we think about education. Read MoreImmigrant Dreams
Sociologist Smitha Radhakrishnan reviews the books The Managed Hand and The New Entrepreneurs. Each illustrates the opportunity and systematic discrimination faced by immigrant entrepreneurs in the United States. These works push us to reconsider the importance of minority business owners in continuing to make the American dream real for all of us. Read MoreBreakthrough Books: Race and Racism
A "list" of what five sociologists consider breakthrough books about race and racism. Read MoreRethinking Sexual Violence
Sociologist Nacy Whittier reviews the books Sex Panic and the Punitive State, At the Dark End of the Street, and Unspeakable. Each differently addresses sexual violence in relation to race, class, and criminalization. Read MoreThinking in Context
The book Thinking, Fast and Slow is reviewed and shows what sociologists could learn from Daniel Kahneman's work on behavioral economics by extending this knowledge to cover the study of social interactions. Read MoreWhat They’re Reading
A "list" of what five sociologists and one sociologically-minded journalist are currently reading. Read MoreUbiquitous Spirituality
Two books, The New Metaphysicals and The American Soul Rush, are compared and reviewed to show how each addresses the central place that spiritual experience occupies in American culture. Read More