New Books in Sociology

Joan C. Williams, a law professor and expert on social inequality, dives into the urgent need to reconnect the political left with working-class voters. She discusses the 'diploma divide' and how it fuels political allegiance to the far right. Williams highlights the plight of the white working class and emphasizes how addressing economic concerns while embracing cultural values can bridge political divides. With engaging stories and fresh narratives, she champions a more inclusive approach to empower diverse voices and mend the broken ties in American democracy.

When life gets hard, we turn to our female friends. Husbands, partners, and jobs come and go, but close friendships are our bedrock. Until they're not. What happens when these bonds sabotage instead of support? Who among us has the courage to walk away? And how can we protect ourselves from further heartbreak? In Estranged: How Strained Female Friendships Are Mended Or Ended (Meridian Editions, 2025) Susan Shapiro Barash takes a deep dive into the complexities of female friendships. By peeling back the societal narrative that our friendships are meant to last forever, she uncovers a more nuanced reality: the closest bonds do falter. Through groundbreaking research and 150 interviews with women ranging in age from 20-80, Barash reveals an emerging trend - estrangement among female friends. Estranged is an eye-opening investigation/practical guide for women navigating murky waters of suboptimal friendships. The book sheds light on unspoken pain of estrangement - both for the "estranger" who walks away and the "estrangee" who is left behind. Amid candid confessions of betrayal and grief, Barash challenges women to reimagine their friendships and take the bold step of letting go when necessary. This cutting-edge book offers an empowering path forward: learning to prioritize self-worth, stability and authenticity over loyalty to friendships that no longer serve us. Susan Shapiro Barash has written more than a dozen nonfiction books including Tripping the Prom Queen, Toxic Friends and You're Grounded Forever, but First Let's Go Shopping. For more than 20 years she taught gender studies and Marymount Manhattan College and has guest taught creative nonfiction at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. Her fiction is published under her pen name, Susannah Marren. Deidre Tyler, PhD - Sociologist, Instructional Technologist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Kevin Anderson’s The Late Marx's Revolutionary Roads: Colonialism, Gender, and Indigenous Communism (Verso, 2025) encourages to look again at the intellectual and political work of a figure some may assume has been exhausted: Karl Marx. Following on from his earlier landmark study Marx at the Margins: On Nationalism, Ethnicity and Non-Western Societies (University of Chicago Press, 2016), this volume turns specifically to the ‘late Marx’. In this period (1869-82), Marx spent much of his time engrossed in the study of colonialism, agrarian Russia and India, Indigenous societies, and gender among many other less known topics of his interest. His notes, especially what come to be known as The Ethnological Notebooks, along with letters, essays and a scattering of published texts remain only poorly known (and in some cases unpublished or not yet fully translated into English) and form the backbone of Anderson’s study. They evidence a change of perspective, away from Eurocentric worldviews or unilinear theories of development. Anderson shows how the late Marx sees a wider revolution that included the European proletariat being touched off by revolts by oppressed ethno-racial groups, peasant communes, and Indigenous communist groups, in many of which women held great social power. In our discussion, we highlight some of the key themes in the late Marx, bringing out the ways in which Marx is making connections across his writings, how colonial subjects in Ireland and India share commonalities and what can be seen when we look at communal social forms in Russia and among Native Americans. We also discuss why Marx can be seen as a decolonial thinker, consider what he might have produced had he lived longer and the ways in which the late Marx can be presented to students to complement his central themes of class and capitalism. Your host, Matt Dawson is Professor of Sociology at the University of Glasgow and the author of G.D.H. Cole and British Sociology: A Study in Semi-Alienation (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024), along with other texts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Brittany Friedman is an assistant professor at USC and the author of 'Carceral Apartheid.' She discusses how the California prison system collaborates with white supremacists to undermine Black political movements. The conversation dives into themes of deception, surveillance, and racial categorization. Friedman highlights the importance of ethical research, human-centric scholarship, and the need for truth-telling in academia. Listeners will explore the intersection of resilience and resistance against the oppressive dynamics of the carceral state.

In this engaging discussion, Patrick McCartney, a sociology professor at Hiroshima University and author of a comprehensive analysis of yoga culture, shares his insights on the transglobal yoga industry. He explores the balance of authenticity and legitimacy within communities like Shanti Mandir, detailing his personal journey from yoga novice to immersed insider. Listeners will find fascinating reflections on the dynamics of ashram life, the impact of cultural exchanges on identity, and the interplay between tradition and modern marketing in yoga practices.

Sarah Nagaty, a postdoctoral researcher in intersectional feminism, dives into her book about the collective dreams of Egyptians, interlinking the 2011 Revolution and Nasser’s presidency. She discusses how collective aspirations resonate through history, shaping social movements. The podcast highlights the idea of 'collective dreaming' while also addressing the often-overlooked Nubian displacement caused by the construction of the High Dam. Nagaty draws on theorists like Raymond Williams to explore how cultural expressions like poetry and graffiti archive these transformative feelings.

Beth Linker, a historian and the Samuel H. Preston Endowed Term Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses her book 'Slouch: Postural Panic in Modern America.' The conversation delves into the historical evolution of posture and its deep connections to societal issues such as racism and eugenics. Linker examines how perceptions of posture shape health views and cultural anxieties, reflecting on the intersection of social class and physical appearance. They also explore the implications of the American Posture League and the need for better collaboration in pain management.

Jeremy Morris, an ethnographer specializing in Russia, offers a unique perspective on the sentiments of ordinary Russians in the wake of the Ukraine invasion. He explores the concept of micropolitics, revealing how personal experiences shape civic engagement. Morris discusses the complexities of social relationships in various Russian communities, highlighting the impact of economic shifts and activism, especially during wartime. His insights challenge common perceptions of authoritarianism and showcase the resilience and diverse attitudes of the Russian populace.

Jessica Vasquez-Tokos, a Sociology professor at the University of Oregon, explores the intricate dynamics of race and belonging in America. She discusses the ramifications of being viewed as a 'problem' and dives into personal narratives that illustrate how racialized identities shape experiences and aspirations. The conversation also highlights the historical context of racial inclusion, focusing on diverse communities like Indigenous, Latino, and Vietnamese Americans. Vasquez-Tokos emphasizes the need for empathy and institutional change to embrace inclusivity and address systemic inequalities.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Robert Garland, an Emeritus professor from Colgate University specializing in ancient cultures, delves into intriguing death-related beliefs across diverse civilizations. He humorously shares how ancient peoples navigated questions of the afterlife, leading to fascinating burial customs and perceptions of judgment. Listeners will learn about the societal roles surrounding funerals, the balance between tradition and practicality, and how ideas of hell evolved over time. It's a captivating tour through humanity's timeless quest to understand death.