New Books in Sociology

Joseph Darda, an Associate Professor of English at Michigan State University, dives into the intricate relationship between race and sports in his book, exploring how notions of 'gift' and 'grit' shape societal perceptions. He discusses the moral obligations placed on gifted athletes and the historical evolution of athletic perceptions, highlighting figures like LeBron James and Muhammad Ali. Darda also critiques how these dynamics reflect broader issues of race, ability, and labor, ultimately revealing the deeper narratives behind athletic success and societal advantage.

Bruce Springsteen was keenly aware and excited by the sounds of the CBGBs scene during the Seventies. With his own bands, the Boss performed in the same venues associated with punk rock and ultimately wrote songs for Patti Smith and the Ramones. Yet Springsteen’s sound has remained distinct from punk rock as it emanated from New York. In the seventh episode of Soundscapes NYC, host Ryan Purcell talks with Bruce Springsteen biographer Jim Cullen and Melissa Ziobro the head curator of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University about Springsteen’s complicated relationship with punk rock in 1970s New York. As an NJ native, the Boss was a so-called “Bridge-and-Tunnel-Boy” but that socio-cultural infrastructure worked both ways. By the end of the Seventies, Springsteen did not need to travel to New York to engage with the punk sound. Punk culture was traveling to Asbury Park, NJ. Jim Cullen is a historian of American popular culture and has taught at several colleges and universities, including Harvard, Brown, and Sarah Lawrence College. He was a longtime faculty member and History Department chair at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York before moving to the recently founded Greenwich Country Day School in 2020. Cullen is the author of multiple award-winning book books on music including Born in the USA: Bruce Springsteen and the American Tradition (Harper Collins, 1997). His latest book, Bridge and Tunnel Boys: Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Metropolitan Sound of the American Century (Rutgers University, 2023), compares the musical careers of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. Melissa Ziobro is a Professor of Public History at Monmouth University where she is currently the Head Curator for the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. Former editor of New Jersey Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, Ziobro is deeply committed to documenting New Jersey history with the broader context of the American story. She curated a traveling exhibition called Music America: Iconic Objects from America’s Music History which is now on display at the Grammy Museum in Mississippi and is expected to return to Monmouth University for the opening of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music in Spring 2026.  Contact Soundscapes NYC Here Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Kelsea Best, an assistant professor at The Ohio State University specializing in climate impacts and adaptations, joins the discussion about migration and displacement amid climate change. She explores how climate-induced events cause both voluntary and forced relocations, sharing insights from regions like coastal Bangladesh and Hurricane Katrina. The role of place attachment in post-disaster decisions offers a poignant view of emotional ties to home. Best also addresses the urgent need for equitable adaptation strategies, especially for marginalized communities facing the brunt of climate crises.

Ezra Glinter, a writer and biographer known for his work at the Yiddish Book Center, dives into the complex life of Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the last Lubavitcher rebbe. The discussion highlights how Schneerson revitalized the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and became one of the most controversial rabbinic figures of the 20th century. Glinter also addresses the challenges in interpreting Schneerson's legacy and the broader implications of his messianic beliefs, exploring themes of faith, identity, and the ongoing quest for redemption within the Jewish community.

Daanika Kamal, a Lecturer in Law at Royal Holloway University, focuses on gender law and domestic violence in Pakistan. She discusses how societal labels of 'bad' and 'mad' women undermine the credibility of victims in the legal system. Through her research, she reveals the cultural narratives and legal challenges faced by women seeking justice. Kamal addresses the gap between legal protections and actual policing practices, highlighting the biases in courtroom dynamics and the need for a broader understanding of domestic violence that includes psychological harm.

Hans Joas, a leading sociologist at Humboldt University, and Matthias Bormuth, a professor specializing in intellectual history, dive deep into Karl Jaspers’ influential philosophy. They discuss Jaspers’ connections with pivotal thinkers like Max Weber and Hannah Arendt, explore his insights on the Axial Age, and examine his critiques of tyranny. The conversation also touches on Jaspers’ views on religion, capitalism, and existentialism, showcasing his enduring relevance in contemporary philosophical discourse and the challenges of modernity.

Véronique Altglas, a sociology lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast with a focus on religion, discusses her book on the Judaization of evangelical Christianity in Northern Ireland. She explores how Messianic congregations combine Jewish and Christian practices, shedding light on evolving religious identities. Altglas tackles the blending of traditions, the complexities of faith in the region, and the disbandment of a key congregation due to internal conflict. She also examines the relationship between Jewish identity and nationalism in contemporary contexts.

Thiago P. Barbosa, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Leipzig, delves into the intricate relationship between racialization and caste through the work of Irawati Karve. He discusses how Karve challenged the racial hypotheses of her time and addresses the colonial legacies affecting contemporary anthropology. Barbosa also critiques outdated racial classifications in education and explores the intersection of genetics and social factors in understanding caste, emphasizing the need for decolonization in scientific practices.

Matthew Allen, a Senior Lecturer in Historical Criminology at the University of New England, uncovers the fascinating interplay between alcohol and democratic ideals in colonial Australia. He discusses how public drinking rituals both unified and excluded different societal groups, notably women and Indigenous people. The toast, once a symbol of fraternity, also reflected the social hierarchies of the time. As temperance movements emerged, they reshaped notions of citizenship and respectability, highlighting alcohol's role in enforcing political boundaries. A riveting exploration of history and social dynamics!

Lieba Faier, a Professor at UCLA specializing in geography and gender studies, explores the complexities of the UN’s fight against human trafficking. She critiques the ineffectiveness of these well-funded campaigns, particularly in Japan's approach to assisting Filipina migrants. Faier introduces the concept of the 'banality of good,' revealing how bureaucratic protocols often neglect the voices of the very individuals they aim to help. The discussion includes disparities in global narratives and highlights the need for grassroots solutions over top-down strategies in combating trafficking.