Sociology in Our Local Bookstores

DAWN BAUNACH AND ELISABETH BURGESS Georgia State University By doing all of the above, we could wangle a few more sociology books onto the shelves of bookstores, at least temporarily. But the chances of making any lasting change in the habits of booksellers and readers are slim unless sociologists begin to write in the common tongue. Owners of both independents admitted, with polite embarrassment, that they don't sell many sociology books and don't expect to, because, well, the stuff is hard to read because of all the, doing all of the above, we could wangle a you know, jargon. Quibble if you want, but that's the perception, at the core of which lies a boulder of truth. So, then, one more suggestion an Eleventh Thesis to be emblazoned above every keyboard: The point is not merely to write or publish, or even to get books on store shelves, but to be read and thereby change minds. Start there with writing that is clear and engaging and there will be less need for wangling later

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