"We don't have to look far to see the effects of society on our lives. A "thank you" when a stranger holds the door, the clothes we chose for a job interview, the neighborhoods we see as desirable places to live: all of these actions and beliefs are a function of social norms and structures at play in our lives. While sociologists identify and explain the complex ways society affects our lives in myriad scholarly works, these effects are, at the end of the day, deeply personal. This edited volume starts with the personal, introducing readers to major sociological concepts through conversational narratives written by professional sociologists. These experts show how sociological concepts explain some of the structural factors behind the most intimate and important elements of their lives, all while sharing their love of the discipline and the ways it has influenced their self-understanding. The essayists all indicate that sociological insight can be emotionally liberating and give us the tools to change the world around us. Touching on topics including race, gender, class, education, and religion, the contributors describe how sociology illuminates the meaning of daily activities like caring for their hair and life-changing moments like losing a parent alike. These diverse stories all make sociology come alive, a welcome complement to sociology textbooks that explain terms without necessarily showing their real-life applications. Equipped with definitions to help readers understand sociological vocabulary, discussion questions to spur more thinking, and references to take readers to the source, the book will be useful to instructors and a welcome opportunity for scholars to learn more about their heroes and their peers"--