Contemporary British Society is the second edition of a very successful textbook covering all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. The text has been thoroughly revised and updated, using the latest statistical information and recent empirical studies. The authors have also introduced new arguments and debates where these have added to the understanding of changes in British society. 

There are separate chapters dealing with the major areas of modern life in Britain – work, class, gender ethnicity, families and households, towns and cities, education, health, culture and media, deviance and politics. Each of these chapters are further subdivided into smaller and self-contained sections on more specific topics. 

The emphasis throughout the book is on an accessible, user-friendly, and non-technical approach. It is written in a jargon-free and approach- able style; there is extensive cross referencing and frequent and clear summarizing of arguments; and it is very well illustrated with photo- graphs, diagrams, graphs, drawings and cartoons. 

Contemporary British Society is written for students of introductory sociology whether they are taking ‘A’ level or are in the first year of an undergraduate course in a higher education institution. It will also be useful for those taking courses in other subjects, such as social policy, health or town planning, which demand knowledge of particular aspects of British society. 

Nicholas Abercrombie and Alan Warde are both Professors of Sociology at the University of Lancaster. 

Keith Soothill and John Urry are, respectively, Professor of Applied Social Science and Professor of Sociology at the University of Lancaster. Sylvia Walby is Professor of Sociology at the University of Bristol.