The field of inequality emerged out of a set of classic texts'' important works that students and scholars continue to read and to rely on to inform their ongoing research. Often controversial and deeply influential, these texts formed the field as we know it and serve as cornerstones even today. For the first time, these twenty calssic texts have no been brought together in a new reader, Inequality: Classic Readings in Race, Class, and Gender. Edited by David B. Grusky and Sonja Szelenyi, this important new volume provides: A solid introduction to fundamental concepts, theories, and empirical results; Carefully excerpted pieces that highlight the essential contributions while maintaining ample context for informed, serious discussion; A coherent selection of core readings appropriate for all inequality courses.

The collection is a natural starting point for all new students of inequality as well as a useful reference for advanced scholars who could benefit from easy access to the classics. When used in inequality courses, the selections provided here may be supplemented with contemporary articles and books, thus allowing teachers the convenience of relying on a single source that distills the must-reads with the flexibility of tailoring contemporary readings to a particular course focus.