I am proud that the Economic Sociology and Political Economy community blogs and social media have become a source of knowledge and learning in various forms for students at all levels. It is also gratifying to see links to the ES/PE websites appear in syllabi. In this context, a common question I receive from lecturers is “What book would you include in an undergraduate syllabus that introduces this or that topic?” Students also sometimes ask me if I can name a book that clearly covers a particular area of economic sociology. Over the years, I have found myself repeatedly recommending several excellent books written by leading scholars, written in my opinion specifically for undergraduates and the general public, and as part of a series from a single publisher. Most of these books are not new, but I think they do a really good job of illustrating and emphasizing the sociopolitical, historical, and cultural nature of various aspects of economics and economics. The wealth of arguments and teaching presented in these books, coupled with the extensive arguments and teaching they present in their specific areas of study, make them an excellent source of reference material. Here is a list of clear and illuminating books that are worth delving into:
