Providing an authoritative and comprehensive overview of the classical and the contemporary, this volume is an indispensable guide to the vibrant and expanding field of sociology. Featuring over 600 entries, from concise definitions to discursive essays, written by leading international academics, the Dictionary offers a truly global perspective, examining both American and European traditions and approaches. Entries cover schools, theories, theorists and debates, with substantial articles on all key topics in the field. While recognising the richness of historical sociological traditions, the Dictionary also looks forward to new and evolving influences such as cultural change, genetics, globalization, information technologies, new wars and terrorism. Most entries incorporate references for further reading and a cross-referencing system enables easy access to related areas. This Dictionary is an invaluable reference work for students and academics alike and will help to define the field of sociology in years to come.

'The impressive scope and clarity of this volume makes it an indispensable reference work for teachers, researchers and students of sociology. The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology is both a reference and an invitation to engage with the social sciences.'

Judith Blau - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

'This comprehensive dictionary of sociological knowledge is unique. It reconstructs classic authors through their works; it takes account of more recent writers whose thought is placed convincingly in its historical and intellectual contexts; and it demystifies twenty-first century catchwords such as globalization and terrorism.'

Uta Gerhardt - University of Heidelberg, Germany

'The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology successfully captures around 1000 reliable and lively articles with many facets, national variations and shifting interests from the time of the pioneers to globalization, in a discipline of growing intellectual and social importance.'

Raymond Boudon - Sorbonne and Académie des sciences morales et politiques

'An exceptionally valuable resource, with comprehensive coverage and a wide range of excellent contributors.'

William Outhwaite - University of Sussex

'A major contribution to the effort of mapping the field of sociology. One of its great strengths is to push the cultural / philosophical boundary of sociology, returning the discipline to some of its original intellectual ambitions and depths.'

Saskia Sassen Source: University of Chicago and author of Territory, Authority, Rights (2006)

'As one would expect from a work assembled by Bryan Turner, this Dictionary is excellent in coverage and in the quality of articles. Not only are the articles authored by noted experts, but the international flavor of the book makes it particularly valuable for today's student and general reader.'

Alan Sica - Pennsylvania State University

'This dictionary, offers more than 600 unusually substantial, thoughtful A-toZ entries … highly recommended for all libraries.'

Source: Library Journal Review

'The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology is a nicely packaged source that endeavors to cover the whole range of the discipline - concepts, biographies, and general terminology - from both American and European perspectives.'

Source: Booklist