Including classic essays from top names in the field, this new volume of extracts from Grusky's classic "Social Stratification" is an essential, accessible primer on the major concepts and processes of inequality for students who are new to the topic The field of inequality emerged out of a classic set of texts that continue to be reread and to inform ongoing research. This new reader brings together the 20 classic readings in the field with which every student of inequality must be familiar. Edited by respected scholars David B Grusky and Szonia Szelenyi, this new essential reader provides: a solid introduction to fundamental concepts, theories and empirical results; skillful editing highlights essential contributions while allowing ample context for informed, serious discussion; and core readings for all inequality courses. The resulting collection is critical for all new students of inequality as well as seasoned scholars who wish to reacquaint themselves with the classics. When used in inequality courses, the classic selections provided here may be supplemented with contemporary articles and books, thus allowing professors the convenience of relying on a single source the distills the 'must-reads' with the flexibility of tailoring contemporary readings to a particular course focus.