{"product_id":"9781394362561","title":"Sociological Realism Society as the Walls of Our Imprisonment","description":"\u003ch1\u003eSociological Realism\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSociety as the Walls of Our Imprisonment\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSal Restivo\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eSocial Science \/ Sociology \/ General\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePresents \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ea powerful narrative that situates the individual within the inescapable framework of social forces\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a world increasingly defined by inequality and existential threats,\u003ci\u003e Sociological Realism: Society as the Walls of Our Imprisonment\u003c\/i\u003e offers a bold reinterpretation of society’s role in shaping the individual. Beginning with the premise that society is a reality \u003ci\u003esui generis\u003c\/i\u003e—a unique and formative system—Sal Restivo carefully constructs an argument about how institutions, cultural traditions, and historical processes shape our identities, behaviours, and beliefs. Tracing the development of the sociological imagination from antiquity to the present day, the author introduces foundational thinkers whilst anchoring abstract theory in personal narrative and lived experience.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis distinctive volume—part introductory sociology, part sociobiography—confronts dominant ideas about free will, agency, and the autonomous self. Engaging with contemporary issues including class, race, sex, gender, and mortality, the book explores the metaphorical ”walls” that constrain human potential. It also considers possible ”escape tunnels” as suggested by sociologists such as Peter Berger and Erving Goffman. Through original theories—such as the social construction of the brain, the logic of power and free will, and a social-network approach to creativity—\u003ci\u003e Sociological Realism\u003c\/i\u003e challenges the myth of individualism and portrays the self as a socially embedded phenomenon. Restivo’s own reflections act as a vivid case study in sociological imagination, enriching the text with immediacy and authenticity. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChallenging readers to reconceptualise the boundaries between mind, self, and society, \u003ci\u003eSociological Realism: Society as the Walls of Our Imprisonment:\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eOffers a unique blend of personal memoir and academic reflection to stimulate sociological imagination\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eProvides a concise yet comprehensive history of sociological thought from antiquity to the present\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePresents original theories on the social construction of the brain and creativity\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eApplies sociological analysis to contemporary topics such as sex, gender, race, and mortality\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIntegrates classic and contemporary sociological texts through brief, accessible excerpts\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSociological Realism: Society as the Walls of Our Imprisonment\u003c\/i\u003e is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying sociology, behavioural science, social psychology, or social work. It is an ideal core or supplementary text for courses such as Introduction to Sociology, Social Theory, or Behavioural Science, and fits into degree programmes across the social sciences. It also speaks to general readers seeking insight into how society shapes thought, action, and identity in a rapidly changing world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDr Sal Restivo\u003c\/b\u003e is a sociologist of science and a founding member of the Society for Social Studies of Science. He has held professorships and research posts in the United States, Canada, the UK, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, and China. Now retired and based in New York, he continues to write as an independent scholar. His recent books include \u003ci\u003eThe Social Bain\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Treachery of Realities\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublication Date: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e03 February 2026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWiley\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImprint: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWiley-Blackwell\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eISBN-13: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9781394362561\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePaperback \/ softback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePage Count: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e272\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight (oz): \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12.8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Wiley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44348301115532,"sku":"9781394362561","price":42.26,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/9781394362561_248254cf-90e1-4abb-9f50-933e1109bddd.jpg?v=1780282489","url":"https:\/\/lateknightbooks.com\/products\/9781394362561","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}