John Bogardus
With lucid examples from novels, academic sources, and personal anecdotes, Sears and Cairns expand their masterful clarification of the nature of social theory while continuing to ground its relevance in our daily lives. The new edition offers an incisive response to the query 'But How Do You Know?,' advancing the probing examination of the first edition, and transforming our appreciation of the benefits gained from applying academic inquiry to our lived experience. Essential reading for all who would embrace the benefits of formal theory in confronting the challenges that stand in the way of an equitable, sustainable future.
Aziz Choudry
A refreshing, thoughtful, and passionate book about social theory that is engaging and accessible. From explaining the multiple ways in which we use theory in our everyday lives, to critically discussing theoretical traditions, including those that emerge from struggles for a better world, this is a must-read for those who want to know more about theory but are afraid to ask.
Shahrzad Mojab
Sears and Cairns have written a passionate, candid, and personal text about a subject that is dreaded as abstract, complex, and boring, particularly by the young generation.... It is indeed A Good Book, In Theory to have.
From the Publisher
A refreshing, thoughtful, and passionate book about social theory that is engaging and accessible. From explaining the multiple ways in which we use theory in our everyday lives, to critically discussing theoretical traditions, including those that emerge from struggles for a better world, this is a must-read for those who want to know more about theory but are afraid to ask.
For any instructor who has ever struggled to communicate what social theory is and why social theory matters, A Good Book, In Theory is a great book in practice; cogent and comprehensive, relevant and readable, it will excite and enrich the social theory class experience for even the most theory-adverse students.
With lucid examples from novels, academic sources, and personal anecdotes, Sears and Cairns expand their masterful clarification of the nature of social theory while continuing to ground its relevance in our daily lives. The new edition offers an incisive response to the query 'But How Do You Know?,' advancing the probing examination of the first edition, and transforming our appreciation of the benefits gained from applying academic inquiry to our lived experience. Essential reading for all who would embrace the benefits of formal theory in confronting the challenges that stand in the way of an equitable, sustainable future.
Sears and Cairns have written a passionate, candid, and personal text about a subject that is dreaded as abstract, complex, and boring, particularly by the young generation.... It is indeed A Good Book, In Theory to have.
Mark Rubinfeld
For any instructor who has ever struggled to communicate what social theory is and why social theory matters, A Good Book, In Theory is a great book in practice; cogent and comprehensive, relevant and readable, it will excite and enrich the social theory class experience for even the most theory-adverse students.
