Book Description
This comprehensive, thought-provoking text is the only one on the market that truly emphasizes global and cross-cultural issues as its core strength throughout each chapter. What better way to introduce your students to sociological concepts and applications than by invoking and instilling global issues. This text is the leader in the global perspective segment of the introduction to sociology market. Eleven of the sixteen chapters incorporate an example highlighting important and long-standing interconnections between the United States and some other country or countries. Five chapters highlight interconnections across national borders but in a more general way. Such extended examples mean that the core sociological concepts and theories are not presented in an encyclopedia-like way. Rather, the example becomes the vehicle for weaving together and applying key concepts and theories to issues confronting the United States and the world.
Customer Reviews:
WONDERFUL book!.......2006-03-19
This is a great book to learn about cultures and the way society runs. I have learned so much from this book, it's unbelieveable. It has a non-objective view point on every topic, and contains quotes and sources for everything Ferrante writes. It's very easy to read and very well written! A WONDERFUL book!
Covers the basics.......2006-02-25
This text book is very basic, but it is good at covering the basic principles of Sociology. Reading this text book would pretty much have you covered for a Soc 101 course. Anything beyond that you would need extra reading material.
OK.......2005-09-26
Not sure how I ordered this book. I remember looking up the info on this book but not ordering it. It didn't cost but a few dollars, but it was useless to my daughter. It didn't include what was to be InfoTrac.
Book Description
This text explores race and ethnic relations in a global context, while extensively covering groups and issues in the United States. The text's unique comparative approach is increasingly important and relevant in light of the growing ethnic diversity in a variety of societies as well as the prominence of ethnic conflicts throughout the world. This text offers instructors an opportunity to introduce comparative content in their courses while not sacrificing an American focus.
Customer Reviews:
By far the best textbook on race and ethnic relations.......2007-06-18
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.
Sociology.......2007-06-02
I took a Sociology of Minorities class in college. This was the required reading and I found it to be incredibly intriguing. This book does a very thorough job presenting the information.
Easily the best textbook on racial and ethnic relations.......2005-04-22
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.
One of the best book of all times........2005-04-16
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.
Greatest Professor A Student Could Have.......1997-04-03
I don't know much about this book, but I do know that Martin N. Marger is a class act tride and true. Had his class my freshman year at Michigan State University and really got a lot out of it. Great person
Book Description
This book is grounded in the belief that an enhanced global awareness is essential for people preparing to take their place in the fast-paced, increasingly interconnected world of the twenty-first century.
The book draws upon classic and recent research in biological, cultural, linguistic, social, economic, and political anthropology, and the anthropology of religion to produce a holistic and global perspective of humanity.
For anyone interested in the developing integrated global society.
Book Description
Award–winning journalist David Batstone reveals the story of a new generation of 21st century abolitionists and their heroic campaign to put an end to human bondage. In his accessible and inspiring book, Batstone carefully weaves the narratives of activists and those in bondage in a way that not only raises awareness of the modern–day slave trade, but also serves as a call to action.
With 2007 bringing the 200th anniversary of the climax of the 19th century abolitionist movement, the world pays tribute to great visionary figures such as William Wilberforce of the United Kingdom and American Frederick Douglass for their remarkable strides toward framing slavery as a moral issue that people of good conscience could not tolerate. This anniversary serves not only as a commemorative date for battles won against slavery, but also as a reminder that slavery and bondage still persist in the 21st century. An estimated 27 million people around the globe suffer in situations of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation from which they cannot free themselves. Trafficking in people has become increasingly transnational in scope and highly lucrative. After illegal drug sales and arms trafficking, human trafficking is today the third most profitable criminal activity in the world, generating $31 billion annually. As many as half of all those trafficked worldwide for sex and domestic slavery are children under 18 years of age.
Customer Reviews:
informative and inspiring.......2007-10-05
I became interested in the issue of human trafficking after I read a NY Times article titled, The Girls Next Door, by Peter Landesman, in 2004. It "broke my heart" and ever since then I have been looking for a way to help stop this terrible plague of injustice. In an effort to become informed, I read the Amazon reviews of all the books on this subject and ordered several. This one, Not For Sale, is fantastic!
It gives facts, which are not presented in an expoloitative, titillating way, but will still probably "break your heart" too. Besides the facts, there are also actual examples of many of the forms of human trafficking, from the sexual trade to child soldiers, and slave labor. Yes, people are still buying and selling slaves! And, yes, here in the United States, too!
But the best part is that this book gives you examples of people who are finding ways to stop this plague. And, it also gives you resources, such as the names of organizations where you can send donations, and websites that you can contact.
Right now this plague flourishes because it is mostly invisible, even though it is happening all around us. But, once we are informed, we will no longer be blind, and there will be no dark corners where this travesty can exist.
I read this book in one day (yesterday), then today, I ordered 16 more copies, which I am going to distribute in my personal effort to help the world become informed. Obviously, I highly recommend this book!
Great, informational book.......2007-10-01
This book was fantastic - it gave great detail as well as moving stories, and then provided plenty of information at the end on organizations who are fighting against this crisis. That way folks like me and you can have somewhere to start to get involved.
I really recommend that everyone read it. The events that are described are so heartbreaking and awful, but this is stuff we need to know. I feel that those of us who are blessed with freedom and various resources (education and or time, money, creativity, networks of friends, homes, etc.) have a duty to use what we've been given to help people trapped in slavery (or other negative situations. Otherwise we're really wasting our time. Read it and loan it to a friend!
BREAK THE CHAINS.......2007-09-03
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the scourge of human exploitation. As a volunteer for one of the ministries named in the book (NightLight), I personally have experienced how God breaks through and brings life and His light into the darkness of sexual exploitation. Perhaps you are called to be part of this rapidly growing abolitionist movement...are you a chainbreaker, an abolitionist, an emancipator?
"Not for Sale" presents the truth in an easy read that is NOT easy to forget or lay aside. It is a challenging message that grips your heart and mind. Slavery and human exploitation thrive in cultures of greed and domination - even in America. If you are moved by the book, purchase the dvd and become part of the Not for Sale campaign.
Together we can make a diference - JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
An outstanding book.......2007-05-16
As a literary critic for three national broadsheets in three continents (in addition to numerous magazines including Harper's Bazaar), I could not recommend this book more highly. Buy it.
Slavery ended in the Civil War - or did it?.......2007-04-10
Slavery ended in the Civil War - or did it? Actually there's a thriving modern business in slavery: some 200,000 people live enslaved in the U.S. today - that's the hard-hitting message of NOT FOR SALE: THE RETURN OF THE GLOBAL SLAVE TRADE AND HOW WE CAN FIGHT IT. These people have been sold into slave labor and prostitution within this country and others: Batstone traveled to five continents to investigate human trafficking and documents here both victims and slave trade rings.
Book Description
This award-winning book explores one of the most successful cultures and society the world has ever seen-capitalism. From its European roots more than 500 years ago to the present, the book examines the problems of capitalism's expansion, inequality, environmental destruction, and social unrest. Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism provides the reader with the anthropological, economic, and historical framework to understand the origins of global problems, why globalization and the global expansion of the culture of capitalism has generated protest and resistance, and the steps that are necessary to solve global problems. As one reviewer said, "This is a book that will doubtless create debate and controversy, but its topic should be pondered seriously by all who consider themselves citizens of our world society today." For anyone interested in global issues and international affairs.
Customer Reviews:
Why we need to change the world.......2007-06-01
This is an excellent book even if it is outrageously over-priced.
To be sure it is polemical and passionate, neither of which are necessarily bad things and certainly not in this case. Professor Robbins argues clearly and cogently for viewing capitalism as another culture and not as an inevitable evolutionary outcome of economic history.
Perhaps the book over-emphasises the dangers and difficulties of capitalism but it is not inaccurate in describing them. Here is a history of capitalism laid out in well-written prose and it is not a pretty history. We have much to answer for and much to do to put things right.
Highly recommended.
way overpriced but worth reading.......2006-12-08
I've given this three stars simply because it would have to be astounding good to be worth $77, and it's not. It is very good however, and if the price was more like $20 of less, which would be reasonable for an oversized paperback, I would have given it 5 stars. Evidently, because it's a textbook the publisher can get away with this. However, I happened to find a used copy at a college bookstore, and felt I should get it because I have been wanting to better understand globalism, CAFTA, NAFTA, the WTO and the protests against it, the World Bank and how it both helps and interferes, the jobs that are being outsourced to Asia (btw, last time I spoke to Amazon customer service, it was with someone in India!), the seemingly endless reach and power of certain multi-national corporations, etc., and I thought this book would fit the bill. I haven't finished it yet, but it certainly does, and I've been learning a lot from reading it. Thought it definitely has a point of view, I feel it's a more balanced introductory book than the many highly opinionated books written by particular economists and think-tankers who are inevitably trying to persuade rather than educate.
Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism (according to Marx).......2005-12-23
This text was required reading for a political science class dealing with developing nations. The only major problem I have from this book being in a political science class is that the content is overwhelmingly normative--the reader is given the impression that capitalism and capitalists are unanimously responsible for nearly everything terrible that has happened, including war, disease, famine, etc. The author spends a great deal of time talking about the resurgence of mostly benign protestant fundamentalism, while devoting only a few pages to discussing Islamic fundamentalism (it's really the West's fault, for spending a few million to support the mujahadeen). While there is a case to be made that market failures do lead to starvation, no mention is given to famines by progressives like Josef Stalin or Mengitsu (they aren't even listed in the glossary).
The book is written through the prism of Marxism and dependency theory by bourgeoisiephobe Richard Robbins, someone who should owe some gratitute to capitalism for getting this piece published.
On pages 42-43, one can see good examples of his economic illiteracy: the production function is "the black box" and he ignores conventional economic terms by designating "C" (which denotes consumption in economics) for commodities. Perhaps none of this is relevant, since he is a political scientist who seems to be making up his own economic models.
This book does give good insight into the structuralist perspective on international political economy. The solutions presented towards the end are, however, unrealistic (zero-economic growth, a "maximum wage," on income, revoking corporate personhood, etc.) Use this book to complement your studies on IPE/sociology/whatever suits your fancy and incorporate texts from the liberal and mercantilist schools if you want a real understanding of how the world workds.
WOW!!!.......2004-09-29
It's such a great book and it gives you detailed insights. I learned so much, I never knew how serious global issues were until now.
Excellent book for anyone who cares about the world today!.......2001-08-24
I admit I'm a little biased. Richard Robbins was actually a professor of mine at SUNY Plattsburgh, and I had the opportunity to read this book while at the same time taking his global issues class. This book not only changed my mind about a few of the world's issues, it also gave me a broader perspective about the world in general. I now think about things such as 'where do my clothes come from?' and 'how did my fruit cup get here?'. Robbins is an extremely talented man and writer who asks the question, 'Is Disneyland for Everyone?' The answer: a resounding 'No, and here's why!' This book would benefit anyone seeking to gain an understanding about the world and his/her place in it. It truly is a global world, and Robbins' book is the first step to living in it.
Book Description
Written by a non-Jewish analytic philosopher, this book addresses the issue of whether, and to what extent, current opposition to Israel on the liberal-left embodies anti-Semitic stances. It argues that the dominant climate of liberal opinion disseminates, however inadvertently, a range of anti-Semitic assertions and motifs of the most traditional kind. It advocates a return to an unrestricted anti-racism which would allow liberals to defend Palestinian interests without demonizing Jews.
Customer Reviews:
Very thoughtful and well-written.......2007-06-24
This is a careful work on the nature of the resurgence of anti-Semitism. We see the ill will, the falsehoods, and lack of logic displayed by the anti-Semites, and there's some speculation on what gets some folks to behave in such a manner.
Bernard Harrison starts by discussing some of the properties of political anti-Semitism. He says that it generally includes, as a minimum, the proposition that Jews are a mysterious, depraved, and conspiratorial society which threatens the well-being of any nation which harbors them. And he reminds us that many of the accusations made against "the Jews" are simply self-inconsistent or incoherent. For example, the blood libel accusations are generally of the form that observant Jews commit ritual murder for religious reasons, something which is, of course, expressly forbidden by their religion. We also generally see anti-Semites simultaneously claim (or imply) that Jews are so powerful as to be responsible for the bulk of the evil in today's society yet are so powerless that they can be attacked with impunity (I tend to believe that those who make such claims are more serious about the latter one).
We also see discussions of the preposterous claim that mere criticism of Israel is sufficient to get one automatically branded as an anti-Semite. As well as another ridiculous claim that almost anyone who finds anything about Israel that is worthy of support is Jewish, and that pretty much anyone who is Jewish supports Israel. And the even more absurd claim that Israel is basically a colonial enterprise is also quickly refuted.
Harrison also is careful to distinguish between explaining why Israel exists and justifying Israel's existence. I agree. The fact that Jerusalem had been (and still was) the Jewish capital city in the 19th century helps explain why many Jews tried moving to the region once they had the opportunity to do so. The White Paper of 1939 helps explain why the number of Jews who demanded a Jewish state quickly became a majority once World War Two broke out. But these facts, by themselves do not "justify" what happened, nor do they "establish" Israel's "right to exist."
The author does write about fascism and the concept of "total war," including war against civilians. Here, he makes an excellent point, namely that claims about the "guilt" of such civilians make no sense. As he explains, even if one assents to the idea of capital punishment, "punishment" makes no sense without the concept of desert, desert makes no sense without a practicable and practiced system of laws, laws require some general acquiescence in their operation, acquiescence requires reconciliation, and reconciliation requires all sides to admit their own errors and as a minimum the right of their adversaries to exist. Obviously, any bunch of gangsters can go around murdering people, but we ought to remind ourselves that they are not necessarily "punishing" those who "deserve it."
There is a discussion about whether or not there ought to be a "Holocaust Day" for remembering that societies can make some terrible moral mistakes. Here, Harrison is careful to explain that the emphasis on the suffering of the victims is probably misplaced, as plenty of people have suffered in all sorts of tragedies. No, the emphasis ought to be on the terrible results, systematic annihilation of groups of people, of a certain kind of corruption which springs from a philosophy of racial superiority. Again, I agree. I'm not so sure we need a Holocaust Day, but I certainly do not buy the argument that such a day makes the Jews special, or makes Jewish blood worth more (or less) than the blood of non-Jews. The author makes the point that some people are envious of the sympathy that they think some Jews receive for the Holocaust and wish to use that word (often without its actual meaning) to get some sympathy for themselves. I find such an idea doubly misguided, as I tend to agree with Herzl that even appeals for sympathy by the genuinely oppressed are futile and dishonorable.
Some folks do insist on "dismantling" Israel, and Harrison discusses this at length. Here, he makes another good point, namely that the would-be dismantlers do not seem to worry much about how to protect the rights of the Jews in the region after the "dismantling." Instead, we see one anti-Israeli claim to be worried about the "fate" of the Jews, as if the Jews ought not have rights and as if whatever happens to the Jews is not only the fault of the Jews, but something the rest of us can't possibly prevent or be responsible for.
The lack of logic of some anti-Semitic claims does get exposed. We see the "mysteriousness" of the Jews used as a means to explain how the Jews can accomplish vast crimes even when they lack both motive and opportunity. Of course, when it gets to claims that "the Jewish lobby" has managed to reduce "the entire American political establishment to a state of bemused sleepwalking" for the past forty years, Harrison explains that we're not only talking about Jews doing the impossible, but about the American people being quite a bit stupider than they really are.
Near the end of the book, the author asks if anti-Semitism matters. Does it matter that the Guardian spouts a fair amount of it? Well, yes, it does. The terror we see is not helping Arabs, Jews, or anyone else. And responsible people ought to feel bound by a duty to support truth and facts. Harrison says that while one can live without understanding world affairs, one can't "live perfectly well on a diet of murderous lies. Europe tried that in the 1930s. It would do well not to try it again."
I highly recommend this book.
Focused, well-argued, important.......2007-01-15
I write as a long-time leftist, writer on Marxist theory, and charter member of the New Left.
Harrison brings a precise philosopher's intelligence to the vexing, frightening, and at times disgusting phenomenon of left-wing anti-semitism. If his history is at times one-sided and his account of the left simplistic, he has nailed the many failures of left moral clarity and intellectual imagination. If you've ever wondered why and how seemingly liberal, left, anti-racist, nice people can hold such distorted views on Israel, this is an excellent book for you. If you think of yourself as progressive and think Israel has no right to exist, or is the sole cause of the conflict, you'd better read it immediately.
Book Description
This book is about developing implementable strategies for shipping firms. It opens with an initial historical retrospective that highlights cases on A.P. Moller-Maersk and Leif Hoegh and Co. Here the reader is introduced to the global nature of competition in shipping, as well as the volatility of shipping markets. The book then turns to the question of how to play these markets. It looks at commodity based shipping company strategies for the bulk carrier, tanker container-ship and other segments. Here, the focus is on both going long-short, in-out, and maintaining a low cost base. Next is a discussion of operations versus asset play. The book analyzes Marsoft's forecasting methodology, with case studies on The Torvald Klaveness Group, Norden, Frontline and Teekay.
The book then takes a close look at the challenge of driving one's strategy towards niches, i.e. on-commodity segments, with a spotlight on how to find a viable business opportunity and develop a defendable strength there. Examples come from I.M. Skaugen, Farstad Shipping, The Torvald Klaveness Group and Leif Hoegh and Co.
Since overall corporate-wide portfolio strategies can be important in shipping, particularly if the various elements in the portfolio are relatively unrelated, the next part of the book turns to analytical approaches, citing several examples. Then follows a discussion of key organizational issues, particularly how to create and sustain more effective, predominantly network-based organizations. The penultimate subject is the important role the board of directors can play here. Finally, the role of family firms, and the future of shipping firms, is discussed, again with several rich examples.
Books:
- Strategic Tools for Social Entrepreneurs: Enhancing the Performance of Your Enterprising Nonprofit
- The Anglo-Maratha Campaigns and the Contest for India: The Struggle for Control of the South Asian Military Economy
- The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich
- The Black Belt Memory Jogger: A Pocket Guide for Six Sigma Success
- The Conquest of Cool: Business Culture, Counterculture, and the Rise of Hip Consumerism
- The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels
- The Full Costs and Benefits of Transportation: Contributions to Theory, Method and Measurement
- The Fundamentals of Municipal Bonds, 5th Edition
- The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo.
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Books Index
Books Home
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General
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Study Guide for Ferrante's Sociology: A Global Perspective, 6th
Mapping the Social Landscape: Readings in Sociology
Classic Readings in Sociology
Sociological Odyssey: Contemporary Readings in Introductory Sociology
Readings for Sociology, Fifth Edition
SociologyNow, Stand Alone Version for Ferrante's Sociology: A Global Perspective, 6th
