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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. Its 600 entries are signed but do not have bibliographies, although references for further reading are embedded in the entry text. Also found within the text are generous cross-references. An effort was made to cover new developments in sociology, including those related to globalization, such as diaspora, fundamentalism, and global migration.

Can a library have too many dictionaries? When faced with a completely new single- subject dictionary like this one, the question needs to be asked in comparison to what other sources are on the shelves. Does this resource offer sufficiently different information than the others within its same subject area? The Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology (2000) and the Dictionary of Sociology (2005) from Oxford, now in its third edition, are the comparisons used for this purpose. A close examination of entries reveals that, though the three are alike in size, style, and scholarly background, they are not equivalent to each other. For example, the Oxford dictionary has no biographies, and its more than 2,500 entries in just over 700 pages are generally quite short. The Blackwell dictionary, which is the work of a single author, also has shorter entries, generally three or four paragraphs. Cambridge, on the other hand, has numerous entries that approach encyclopedic length--five pages for Crime, six pages for Deviance, more than eight pages for Information, more than seven pages for Mass media and communication, for example--so it may not be the first choice for quick definitions.

With its reasonable price (a paperback version is available for under just under $40) The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology should be accessible to most public and academic libraries. Even in a collection with other sociology dictionaries, this would be a good addition if sociology is a strong focus. Danise Hoover
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--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“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 work and an invitation to engage the social sciences.” -Judith Blau University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

“The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology edited by Bryan S. Turner captures successfully around one thousand reliable and lively articles with many facets, national variations and shifting interests from the time of the pioneers to our time of globalization, in a discipline of growing intellectual and social importance.” -Raymond Boudon Sorbonne and Académie des sciences morales et politiques

“This comprehensive thesaurus 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.

“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, 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 longer 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

"The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology is a nicely packaged source that endeavors to cover the whole range of the discipline...from both American and European perspectives. Its 600 entries are signed but do not have bibliographies, although references for further reading are embedded in the entry text...An effort was made to cover new developments in sociology, including those related to globalization, such as diaspora, fundamentalism, and global migration." -Booklist

"Highly recommended for all libraries." - Library Journal

"...an authoritative guide to a complex field." -John Hillman, Canadian Journal of Sociology Online

"A useful ready-reference work on the subject of sociology. Highly recommended." -- Choice