American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality: A New Synthesis

By Dennis L. Gilbert

Book Overview

The text is a current, concise treatment of America's ever-changing class structure. Updated throughout, this sixth edition focuses on change. Dennis Gilbert includes new data on topics such as the distribution of earnings and residential segregation by class to reveal a consistent pattern of growing inequality since the early 1970s. Why, Gilbert asks, is this happening? He examines change in the economy, family life, and politics in search of an answer. This book retains the strengths that contributed to the success of previous editions. It synthesizes the best empirical studies of class and inequality in American society, focusing on nine key variables: occupation, income, wealth, prestige, association, socialization, class consciousness, power, and social mobility. Critical attention is given to major studies, from the classic small-town ethnographies of the 1930s to contemporary analyses of national mobility data. Historical sections show how the class system has changed and continues to evolve. Two strong chapters examine the relationship between social class and politics.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0534505201
• ISBN13: 9780534505202
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 6.8" x 0.8"

Customer Reviews

Excellent source of raw data, but difficult to read

This book is not one I would recommend reading cover to cover. The conclusion that ends each chapter is sufficient if you need to skim the book quickly. However, it is an excellent source of raw data on issues of social class and stratification. An excellent book for anyone interested in or who needs to write on issues of social class. For a less scholarly but easier and quite visceral read, I recommend Class Matters, a collection of New York Times articles on social class.

Good Information, Lacks "Big Picture"

This book has a WEALTH of information on poverty and class structure in America. Any statistic you were looking for on the subject is probably in here. Additionally, the author addresses many of those 'tough' issues related to class: race, school inequality, welfare reform, etc. However, in the end, this book contains a lot of facts and figures, but not a lot of perspective. After reading this book, I was left asking myself: So what does it all mean? Where do we go from here? For me, the big picture was completely lost in all the little details. In conclusion, I think The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality can be a good reference book for compelling statistics related to poverty and inequality, but I don't suggest attempting to read it cover-to-cover.

Good when required

I bought this book for my Social Stratification class and found the information very compelling. However, the subject is presented in a very dry manner which makes the reading a bit difficult.

Thought Provoking

I found this book well researched, presented in a readable manner, and thought provoking. The book includes extensive lists of references and suggested readings. It provides an excellent overview of the American class system.

Very thorough and well researched

I read this book while it was still being revised by Professor Gilbert when I took one of his classes at Hamilton College. It was very well organized and incredibly thorough. It is a great introduction to the class structure system present today.