The first two editions of Sociology were aimed at instructors seeking a textbook which would be thorough, challenging and comprehensive and, at the same time, clear, readable and lively. In view of the adoption of the text in more than 200 colleges and universities and the enthusiastic response of both instructors and student, I feel that Sociology has succeeded in this important goal. At the same time, revising the text provides an opportunity to draw upon my own experiences using it in class, as well as the suggestions of instructors who have used it and of expert reviewers.