Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2025 -

McCarthy (emer., Fordham Univ.), the author of this insightful and engagingly written book, is a sociologist who has published Emotional Lives: Dramas of Identity in an Age of Mass Media (2017), other books and collections on emotion, and many journal articles on the sociology of emotion. In this volume, she skillfully explicates the deep ways in which culture shapes human emotions and, ultimately, our sense of who we are. The book is aimed at a general, non-specialist audience, although those who study emotions would also benefit from reading it. McCarthy argues that emotions are cultural objects, and so they cannot be fully understood outside of their cultural context. Of special concern to her are the ways in which modern global media culture now constitutes the matrix of influences that determine humans' emotional makeup and, in particular, how people experience themselves as authentic persons. The book consists of six chapters and a preface, and each chapter concludes with a set of discussion questions that readers may use to further their understanding of the sociocultural aspects of emotions. Each chapter is also linked to an appendix of sources and further readings. This is unquestionably a critical resource.Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers through faculty; professionals.

Passionate Work offers a compelling exploration of the intersection between passion and labor in the world of dance. This sociological study focuses on the often overlooked dancers who form the backbone of the industry--those in the corps de ballet, smaller companies, and project-based ensembles. Horowitz (New York Univ.) deftly weaves personal narratives with broader sociological insights, examining how dancers navigate the challenges of their chosen career. The author of several books, including, most recently, In the Public Interest: Medical Licensing and the Disciplinary Process (2013), Horowitz explores the key aspects of a career in the performing arts, meticulously documenting each phase of a dancer's journey. Throughout the book's seven chapters, she illuminates the strategies used to maintain biographical continuity in a field marked by discontinuity and rupture. Her book provides a nuanced look at the realities of pursuing a dance career, addressing themes of ambition, grit, and determination. Although written in an academic tone, the text's engaging storytelling and thoughtful reflections and critique make it accessible. Complete with detailed references and a glossary, Passionate Work is a vital resource for anyone interested in labor studies or dance, or those willing to interrogate what it means to pursue a vocation. A must-read for scholars and practitioners alike.Summing Up: Essential. General readers through faculty; professionals.