The Body and Society
Explorations in Social Theory
- Bryan S Turner - City University of New York, USA
Assured and innovative, this book provides the most authoritative statement of work on the sociology of the body by what many experts regard to be the leading writer in the field.
"Bryan Turner has revolutionized the way in which we think about ourselves and our bodies. This edition of his book demonstrates further intellectual growth and development; innovative ideas inform an already classic understanding. The human body is the very material of our lives; this book allows us to deepen our knowledge of the meanings of the body in the twenty first century and offers a definitive and emancipatory account of the possibilities (both negative and positive) with which we are presented and which we construct for ourselves."
- Mary Evans, University of Kent
Bryan Turner is currently Professor of Sociology at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore.
The Body And Society is now better than ever. … Turner bridges the organic and cultural with his philosophical and theological aspirations: the result is a penetrating analysis of society's blend of bodies - from erotic to famished bodies, labouring to desiring bodies
Anthony Elliott
Flinders University
Bryan Turner has revolutionized the way in which we think about ourselves and our bodies. This edition … demonstrates further intellectual growth and development; innovative ideas inform an already classic understanding. The human body is the very material of our lives; this book allows us to deepen our knowledge of the meanings of the body in the twenty-first century and offers a definitive and emancipatory account of the possibilities (both negative and positive) with which we are presented and which we construct for ourselves
Mary Evans
London School of Economics
Well written and researched topics useful
Theoretical prospective interesting and thought provoking
Essential reading for 1st / 2nd Under Graduate Sociology student
Any course on the Sociology of the Body without Bryan Turner's text on The Body and Society is impoverished!
Along with Chris Shilling's The Body and Social Theory I would recommend The Body and Society to any student studying the body. Next year there are likely to be significant changes to the module and I will be making this book an essential text.
An excellent book which will help the learner gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
This is THE contemporary text for both academics and students exploring the sociology of the body. Imaginative and insightful discussions are organised into a cohesive and exemplary whole.
Remains the foundational text for courses in the sociology of the body, replete with insights and a depth of analysis that has largely inspired an entire new area of studies across the social sciences. Turner weaves his original theorisation adeptly through a critical assessment of a very wide rage of analytical approaches, which he brings together uniquely in this singular groundbreaking text.
This truly deserves to be considered a classic and I strongly encourage my students to read it from cover to cover. Turner's work on the body needs to be considered in its own right within courses on the sociology of the body and this book should form a key part of any such sessions.
The course content did not permit as detailed a discussion of the body as previously anticipated - however, I will be recommending the volume for a module on the body to be introduced in 2011.
The voulme was useful, covering a variety of relevant issues, although the first year students (who I am currently pitching at) might find some of the concepts and language a little intimidating. I have recommended the volume as an additional text so that those interested in the topic can pursue it in detail.
Revised and updated throughout, the Third Edition includes:
A brand new introduction.
New chapters on 'Bodies in Motion', 'The Body and Boredom', and 'Vulnerability and Values'.
Sage College Publishing
