In a way, the history of any writing project especially one as complex as an introductory text book is similar to the unfolding of a long story. All stories begin with a central theme or framework, as this book did nearly four years ago. For us, the framework was our desire to acquaint other people with the sociological enterprise. The story of this book does not end when the writing is completed because the people reading it will carry forward the ideas and whatever wisdom the book contains. Even if this is the last course that you ever take in sociology even if the discipline does not attract you the way that it has us we are confident about one thing: you will benefit personally and career wise from learning about sociology.