Completely up to date and offering a succinct new presentation, Kendall's SOCIOLOGY IN OUR TIMES: THE ESSENTIALS, 9e uses real-life stories, told by the people who have lived them, as well as familiar themes such as the American Dream, body image, the environment, and fake news media to introduce you to the study of sociology and engage your sociological imagination--a vital resource you may not know you have. Kendall shows you how sociology is at work in our society and can be applied to everyday life and to the pressing social issues we face. Every chapter includes a guide to how you can make a positive difference in both your immediate and extended communities. A vibrant new interior design complements the text's new coverage of such timely topics as health care legislation, the U.S. and global economies, Barack Obama's presidency, and the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.