Timothy West stars as British prime minister Winston Churchill in this BBC drama focusing on the relationship with his generals during pivotal moments of the Second World War. Set in Churchill's Cabinet Office and War Rooms, the programme follows Britain's leader orchestrating the allied war effort alongside some of his influential appointments including Generals Montgomery (Ian Richardson) and Brooke (Eric Porter). Following America's decision to enter the conflict late in 1941, Churchill and his cabinet received the support of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Arthur Hill) and his trusted generals, Marshall (Joseph Cotten) and Eisenhower (Richard Dysart).

Covert violence occurs in all social institutions—including families and close relationships, education, workplaces, politics, mass media, and healthcare—each with its own unique power dynamics that shape the incidence and patterns of these vicious acts. This book focuses on the types of surreptitious murder and mayhem that perpetrators intend to go unnoticed by would-be victims—until it’s too late. When such attacks are carried out with efficiency and competence, they may be disguised in official records as the result of illness, accident, or intentional self-harm, only on occasion to be later reclassified as the brutal crimes they are. This compelling and much-needed book is for all those who seek to understand—and strive to prevent—violence in society.

Covert violence occurs in all social institutions—including families and close relationships, education, workplaces, politics, mass media, and healthcare—each with its own unique power dynamics that shape the incidence and patterns of these vicious acts. This book focuses on the types of surreptitious murder and mayhem that perpetrators intend to go unnoticed by would-be victims—until it’s too late. When such attacks are carried out with efficiency and competence, they may be disguised in official records as the result of illness, accident, or intentional self-harm, only on occasion to be later reclassified as the brutal crimes they are. This compelling and much-needed book is for all those who seek to understand—and strive to prevent—violence in society.

Over the decades, the lines separating young- middle-aged-, and older adults have blurred, as indicated by a broadening of the appropriate years for making life decisions. Not only are many people marrying later, but some are marrying earlier than ever. Overall, women giving birth later, but some are having children earlier in their lives. Older people are retiring later, but some are retiring at a younger age. The spread or variability (standard deviation) of age-based decisions has increased substantially, giving adults greater freedom from the traditional constraints of age. With these relaxed age norms has come a host of related social problems. The relaxation of age norms for adult decision-making has inadvertently blurred the boundaries between adults and teenagers, between teenagers and children. This generalization of the phenomenon throughout the life cycle is responsible for the adultification of childhood. Eight year old girls are, to an increasing extent, being treated as sexual objects; bullying peaks in the 6th grade; larger numbers of girls are having oral sex or sexual intercourse by the age of 15; the pregnancy rate for girls 13-15 is on the rise; we are in the process of dismantling the juvenile justice system in favor of adult forms of punishment; and more and more children are left without adult supervision in the afternoons, as though they were miniature adults who are capable of raising themselves. Jack Levin is the American Sociological Association's 2009 Winner of the "Public Understanding of Sociology" Award. This short book communicates the power and importance of sociological thinking to major, worldwide social trends. Ideal for use in undergraduate courses such as introductory sociology, social problems, and social change as well as more advanced courses in population, or sociology of aging.

This short, accessible text takes on the global and pervasive phenomenon of hate crimes and hypothesizes potential fixes. Iganski and Levin detail evidence of hate violence in the 21st century, particularly religious hatred, ethnic, racial and xenophobic hatred, violence on the basis of sexual orientation and sexual identity, disablist violence, and violence against women, using the most recently published data from cross-national surveys produced by international organizations. This is an ideal addition to any course on social problems, violence, or hate crimes.

Over the decades, the lines separating young- middle-aged-, and older adults have blurred, as indicated by a broadening of the appropriate years for making life decisions. Not only are many people marrying later, but some are marrying earlier than ever. Overall, women giving birth later, but some are having children earlier in their lives. Older people are retiring later, but some are retiring at a younger age. The spread or variability (standard deviation) of age-based decisions has increased substantially, giving adults greater freedom from the traditional constraints of age. With these relaxed age norms has come a host of related social problems. The relaxation of age norms for adult decision-making has inadvertently blurred the boundaries between adults and teenagers, between teenagers and children. This generalization of the phenomenon throughout the life cycle is responsible for the adultification of childhood. Eight year old girls are, to an increasing extent, being treated as sexual objects; bullying peaks in the 6th grade; larger numbers of girls are having oral sex or sexual intercourse by the age of 15; the pregnancy rate for girls 13-15 is on the rise; we are in the process of dismantling the juvenile justice system in favor of adult forms of punishment; and more and more children are left without adult supervision in the afternoons, as though they were miniature adults who are capable of raising themselves. Jack Levin is the American Sociological Association's 2009 Winner of the "Public Understanding of Sociology" Award. This short book communicates the power and importance of sociological thinking to major, worldwide social trends. Ideal for use in undergraduate courses such as introductory sociology, social problems, and social change as well as more advanced courses in population, or sociology of aging.

This short, accessible text takes on the global and pervasive phenomenon of hate crimes and hypothesizes potential fixes. Iganski and Levin detail evidence of hate violence in the 21st century, particularly religious hatred, ethnic, racial and xenophobic hatred, violence on the basis of sexual orientation and sexual identity, disablist violence, and violence against women, using the most recently published data from cross-national surveys produced by international organizations. This is an ideal addition to any course on social problems, violence, or hate crimes.

Accessibly written, yet analytically rich, Extreme Killing: Understanding Serial and Mass Murder, is renowned for its fascinating examination of historical and contemporary serial and mass murder. Authors and experts in the field, James Alan Fox, Jack Levin, and Emma Fridel, bring their years of research to bear in this fascinating analysis of serial, multiple, and mass murder. They examine the theories of criminal behavior and apply them to a multitude of tragic events that involve hate crimes, killings at religious services, music festivals, and school shootings.  This Fifth Edition is filled with contemporary and classic case studies and has been updated to include coverage of controversial issues such as gun control and mental illness, the role of high-powered weapons in mass shootings, and the distinction between serial and mass murder. 

The Fifth Edition of the best-selling Sociological Snapshots continues to provide a solid foundation for students as it introduces them to the world of sociological analysis. Combining abstract sociological concepts with interesting and grounded essays ("snapshots") on issues of contemporary interest, this book helps students discover relevant connections and encourages them to develop a sociological eye. By linking everyday life experiences to foundational concepts and concerns, it serves as an effective springboard from the student's familiar and concrete world to the more abstract realm of sociological theory and the sociological perspective. Student-friendly introductions preceding each section of the text provide rich context and tie the readings to the central concepts of sociological thought, while writing, observation, and data-collecting exercises following each section encourage students to practice what they are learning. New to the Fifth Edition Features updated topics and research within each essay Includes five new snapshots on current issues: immigrants from Latin American countries; celebratory rioting by college students; hate as a mental illness; sex offenders; and violence on the national mall in Washington, D.C. Provides an updated annotated reading list at the end of each section, connecting the informal essays to the more formal research literature of the discipline

Intended Audience Using accessible language and an entertaining writing style, this book is a valuable supplementary text for Introductory Sociology, Social Change, or Modernization courses.

Contributor to the SAGE Teaching Innovations and Professional Development Award

Find out more at www.sagepub.com/sociologyaward

Hate crimes-violence aimed at individuals because they are members of a particular group-were once considered the rare illegal actions of a small but vocal assortment of extremists who thrived on hating minorities. No more. In this new book by two of the country's leading experts on hate crimes, published ten years after their classic book of the same name, these most-recognized authorities and media commentators reinterpret this scourge of our generation-hatred based on race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, and even citizenship. In the aftermath of the worst act of terrorism in this country's history-the bombing of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001-the authors probe the causes and characteristics of such acts of hatred and, most vitally, their consequences for all of us.

This compact and affordable text serves as an introduction to a wide range of social problems. Social Problems, Second Edition, is unique in that all chapters are organized in a consistent format, beginning with the definition and prevalence of the social problem covered, followed by levels of causation, consequences, and interventions. Each chapter includes a discussion of the future of each social problem covered and a summary of its substantive issues. All chapters conclude with discussion questions, references, and a list of relevant websites.
This lively, readable volume introduces students to a variety of sociological viewpoints on social problems. Every topic is analyzed from individual, cultural, and structural perspectives. This diversity allows instructors to compare explanations that incorporate such structural factors as social class and economic structure to explanations that focus on cultural factors or on biological and psychological characteristics of the individual. Social Problems, Second Edition, emphasizes the importance of gender, race, and class for understanding social problems. The text focuses on the U.S., but incorporates comparative, cross-cultural material when appropriate.
Unique features of this book include the following:
* A consistent approach that offers solutions to social problems, not just explanations
* Full chapters on the topics of cities and urban decline, and on food and population
* Coverage of such issues as the criminalization of pregnancy, domestic violence as a health issue, and aging and homosexuality
To stimulate student interest, each chapter begins with an "In the News" section that consists of several newspaperarticles on current issues. Every chapter also includes "A Closer Look" inserts to heighten student interest by describing ongoing efforts to resolve current social issues. Some inserts highlight the impact of social policy, while others summarize research or challenge "common sense" assumptions. A comprehensive Instructor's Resource Guide/Testing Program and a Website accompany the text.

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States brought the issue of terrorism to the forefront of American attention and controversy. To determine how to prevent further destruction, it is necessary to understand the shadowy phenomenon that causes it. Who are the terrorists? What are their motives? What are the roots of this form of violence, and will it come to an end? What exactly is terrorism?

This is a savvy, straightforward, and smart book. It tells you the things you need to know--from how not to look bad on television--to how not to look stupid in any medium. I liked its pragmatic approach. I work part time as an on-air news commentator at our local CBS affiliate (KIRO-TV), and I see a lot of academics try to get their point across and fail miserably. Or worse, they never get the media interested enough to put them on. I really think this book will help them. In fact, I think the authors should get these stations to send this book to their guests. It would definitely help both parties! --Pepper Schwartz, University of Washington Do you know the "rules of the game" when dealing with the media? How do you get your views on the New York Times Op-Ed page? When the local newspaper calls, asking for a quote on a topic on which you are only marginally familiar, how do you respond? Why do you repeatedly see the same colleagues on television? Many scholars like yourself will come into contact with the media during the course of their careers. But, few know enough about the inner workings of the media to ensure that their views are not distorted or left on the cutting room floor. Noted criminologists/sociologists James Alan Fox and Jack Levin demystify the workings of the press and other media and give you concrete, practical advice on how to effectively work with them in this handy book. The authors have extensive media experience--their own NPR radio program, voluminous op-ed columns and quotes in the papers, and stints on TV shows from Geraldo to Face the Nation. Their wealth of knowledge will help you, the scholar, know what to say and how to say it the next time CNN or the Washington Post calls.