Steve Bruce conveys the essence of the field of sociology in this
fascinating volume. A well-known populizer of the discipline, Bruce
presents here an introduction to a way of thinking that will appeal to
anyone interested in deepening their understanding of modern society.
Bruce reasserts the value of sociology as a social science, as a
framework of understanding the human condition that grounds its
explanations in reliable observations of the real world. Drawing on
studies of social class, crime and deviance, work in bureaucracies, and
changes in religious and political organizations, Bruce explores the
tension between the individual's role in society and society's role in
shaping the individual. Sociology: A Very Short Introduction
demonstrates the value of sociology as a perspective for understanding
the modern world.