In a field with a vast, disparate literature, such as Sociology of Work, teaching undergraduate students can be especially difficult. The myriad, often opposing, perspectives and abstract nature of the subject currently force a Hobson"s choice or either selecting an expensive, heavily descriptive text from a narrow range of choices or adopting the classic monographs from the field, which students often find difficult to understand and relate to one another. This new text offers a number of innovations to help resolve these teaching dilemmas: Clearly presenting the differing perspectives of the field, Hall analyzes and interprets topics in sociology of work - he doesn"t merely describe them; These perspectives are also used to examine and interpret current, compelling work issues such as unemployment, the service economy, downward mobility, consequences of affirmative action, contingent labor practices, organizational cultures, and the impact of technology on work of the future. Students obtain a clearer understanding of sociological perspectives in the process; The text is sufficiently brief and in paperback so that instructors can afford to assign additional monographs and readings.