Contemporary British Society Paperback – 7 April 2000

Contemporary British Society is the second edition of a very successful textbook covering all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. The text has been thoroughly revised and updated, using the latest statistical information and recent empirical studies. The authors have also introduced new arguments and debates where these have added to the understanding of changes in British society. 
 
There are separate chapters dealing with the major areas of modern life in Britain – work, class, gender ethnicity, families and households, towns and cities, education, health, culture and media, deviance and politics. Each of these chapters are further subdivided into smaller and self-contained sections on more specific topics. 
The emphasis throughout the book is on an accessible, user-friendly, and non-technical approach. It is written in a jargon-free and approach- able style; there is extensive cross referencing and frequent and clear summarizing of arguments; and it is very well illustrated with photo- graphs, diagrams, graphs, drawings and cartoons. 
 
Contemporary British Society is written for students of introductory sociology whether they are taking ‘A’ level or are in the first year of an undergraduate course in a higher education institution. It will also be useful for those taking courses in other subjects, such as social policy, health or town planning, which demand knowledge of particular aspects of British society. 
 
Nicholas Abercrombie and Alan Warde are both Professors of Sociology at the University of Lancaster. 
 
Keith Soothill and John Urry are, respectively, Professor of Applied Social Science and Professor of Sociology at the University of Lancaster. Sylvia Walby is Professor of Sociology at the University of Bristol. 
 
'The combination of theoretical sophistication and up-to-date empirical evidence makes this new edition of this highly successful textbook valuable to students and their teachers alike.' Professor Rosemary Crompton, City University
 
'The first two editions have established this as clearly the outstanding textbook on contemporary Britain. The third edition consolidates and advances this reputation. This book is highly readable and comprehensive in its coverage, and it makes such wide reference to recent research that it will be of interest not only to students but also to lecturers, researchers, and even the general public. This is an exemplary textbook in every respect.' Professor Mike Savage, Department of Sociology, Manchester University
 
'This is an admirable introduction to sociology and the understanding of contemporary British society. The authors have maintained the clarity and incisiveness of earlier editions while substantially revising the content. It provides a comprehensive coverage of developments in sociology and society over the last decade.' Stephen Hill, Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics
'Now in its 3rd edition, Contemporary British Society is starting to take-on the appearance of a standard A-level textbook, with many of the major specification areas now covered. The focus, however, is less upon superficial coverage of numerous topics and more upon the comprehensive coverage of a range of significant aspects of each specification area, written by a specialist in each field ... the book contains a mass of illustrative material (tables, diagrams, box-outs) that lightens the text and provides potentially useful interpretive material for teachers.' Sociology Central
 
'As cogent and accessible an account of the social structure of a particular modern society as could be required.' Times Higher Education Supplement