Reviews
“This 11-volume encyclopedia replaces the second edition of the Encyclopedia of Sociology, ed. by E. F. Borgatta and R. J. V. Montgomery, as the most up-to-date work on this topic. Consisting of 11 volumes and 1,786 essays arranged in one alphabetical listing, it is more extensive than the 397 entries and 5 volumes of the earlier encyclopedia. Entries in the current work vary in length from one page to several, and include cross-references and suggested readings. This encyclopedia includes a useful time line of about 700 of the most influential events, figures, and publications that have made an impact on the field of sociology. Twenty-two general categories, including key concepts and key figures, form the structure of the lexicon. Among the categories are “Crime and Deviance,” “Culture, Popular Culture, Media, and Sport,” and “Urbanization.” Each of the general categories includes a listing of related subcategories. The section on hate crimes, under “Crime and Deviance,” was introduced in the mid-1980s. During the same period, sociologists of sport became interested in virtual sports, and a whole new subfield emerged. International editors and authors have contributed to the entries' diversity. The print copy's online companion http://www.sociologyencyclopaedia.com should be easy to access, search, revise, and update. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers.” Choice
“This work will be an important addition to large university libraries with sociological departments. It represents important scholarship in this field and will be a resource that will be well used and reliable.” American Reference Books Annual
“Ritzer has created the literal bible of sociology – a comprehensive and vital tome that houses an ever-evolving snapshot of the structure of our society … Blackwell's Encyclopedia of Sociology deserves a place in all college-level libraries. Simply, we have seen no other sociological-based resource as comprehensive or as classy – this point of reference that outlines the academic mission in beautiful almost elegant terms, in turn recording our never-ending quest for knowledge and enlightenment.” The Electric Review
