The World Factbook provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities.

2005 ed. Examines the roots of contemporary social theory, presenting the global landscape of all the key theories and the theorists behind them.

2000 ed. A classic reference updated to reflect the many changes in society and in the field of sociology in recent years with articles covering issues such as race, poverty, violence, economics, pregnancy, abortion, the Internet, privacy, and epidemiology.

2011 ed. One-volume work with both US and international entries, and each entry has suggested readings for follow-up research.

2009 ed. Covers the major theories, research, people, and issues in contemporary gender studies. This comprehensive, two-volume encyclopedia is distinguished by a cross-national/cross-cultural perspective that provides comparative analyses of the life experiences of men and women around the world.

2008 ed. Offers an interdisciplinary perspective into many social issues that are a continuing concern in our lives, whether we confront them on a personal, local, regional, national, or global level. With more than 600 entries, these two volumes cover all of the major theories, approaches, and contemporary issues in social problems and also provide insight into how social conditions get defined as social problems, and the ways different people and organizations view and try to solve them.

2008 ed. A thoroughly updated look at the world of gangs, charting their growth and development in the United States and worldwide, as well as the efforts to curb their expanding criminal enterprises.

2009 ed. Covers issues in both historical and contemporary context, with information on race and ethnicity and their impact on crime and the administration of justice. These two volumes offer a greater appreciation for the similar historical experiences of varied racial and ethnic groups and illustrate how race and ethnicity has mattered and continues to matter in the administration of American criminal justice.

Examines the anthropological, sociological, historical, economic, and scientific theories of race and racism in the modem era. Delves into the historic origins of ideas of race and racism and explores their social and scientific consequences. Includes biographies of significant theorists, as well as political and social leaders and notorious racists.

2005 ed. A compilation of the history, problems, impacts, and solutions relating to media violence

2006 ed. A current assessment of world population and the range of economic, social, and environmental issues it raises.

2005 ed. Overviews of principal cult groups, personalities, and issues.

2003 ed. Adopts an international, cross-cultural approach to such diverse topics in marriage and family issues such as adolescent parenthood, cohabitation, widowhood, domestic violence, and commuter marriages. Also examines the history of family life within different cultures and discussing how families have been affected by political and social change.

2004 ed. An encyclopedia of marriage rites, traditions, and beliefs from around the world, ranging from ancient practices to contemporary ceremonies.