Noble Leaney Noble Laura Harvey

A boring and academic survey of the history and theories behind class systems, centered mostly on Western cultures and thinkers.

It calls itself "A Graphic Guide" and is shelved in my local library in the graphic novel section, but it is basically a PowerPoint presentation with giant slabs of typeset text at the top of each page and illustrations that generically reinforce the point of the text without really expanding on it. The pictures are basically disposable; the book could be published without them with little detriment. Heck, a good portion of the illustrations are just headshots of an endless stream of sociologists, philosophers, and academics next to bubbles that we are told a couple times in the book "should not be read as direct quotes or necessarily representative of their views." (So, sock puppets?)

What is the intended audience for this? The "Graphic Guide" would make one assume the authors were trying to reach a lay audience, but the writing is dry and dull. It alternates between assuming a certain level of knowledge in the audience and spending page after page defining individual terms like a textbook glossary section. At times it seems less concerned with the subject matter than in how many sociologists it can cite. I tallied 174 names in as many pages. Mike Savage wins for the most individual references, if you're wondering, with Beverley Skeggs and Wendy Bottero up there in the Pokémon rankings. Gotta catch 'em all!

There is some interesting information hiding in here, but I zoned out too frequently to really process or appreciate it.… (més)

While some of it is a bit simple and there appears to be more emphasis on Middle Class changes rather than Middle and Working dealing with some of the inequity of Upper Class issues and as well dealing with the way in which it appears that the middle class is being squeezes and thereby causing them to turn on the working class.
It all reminds me of the cartoon with the guy in a suit with a full plate of biscuits; on his left is a guy with two biscuits and on his right a guy with no biscuits and the suit saying, "he's trying to take your biscuit".
We need more equity in the world
Well worth a read and a think about where you are afterwards.… (més)