This new edition of the landmark text Law and Society exposes readers to the dominant theoretical perspectives and sociological methods that are used to explain the interplay between law and society. At a time in our lives when a true understanding of the intersection of law and society really matters, this text offers a thoughtful explanation of just that. Both law and society are complex perspectives and the authors provide an organized, clear, and concise understanding of these complexities. This text is used in a graduate level course on the topic and students respond well to the balanced writing encouraging meaningful debate and discussion. Susan V. Koski,LP.D., Associate Professor, Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Central Connecticut State University I highly recommend Vago and Barkan's new book as it provides a solid foundation for understanding the reciprocal nature of law and society. As a practicing attorney for four decades and a professor teaching Law and Society at the upper undergraduate level, I can affirm that Vago and Barkan'sbook is the gold standard of Law and Society textbooks. Michael Bateman, Part-Time Lecturer, Rutgers University, Attorney-at-Law