This book offers an up-to-date portrait of the realities of social class and its consequences in the United States today, focusing on the increasing inequality gap; the shrinking middle class; the myth and realities of social mobility; the consequences of class for work, health care, education, the justice system, war, and the environment; and progressive solutions for reducing inequality and improving human life.

D. Stanley Eitzen is professor emeritus of sociology at Colorado State University, where he taught for twenty-one years, the last as John N. Stern Distinguished Professor. Janis E. Johnston received her Ph.D. from Colorado State University, where she is currently working as an adjunct instructor.

Part I: Dimensions of Social Stratification Chapter 1: Social Class in America Chapter 2: The Inequality Gap Chapter 3: The Disappearing Middle Chapter 4: Social Mobility Part II: The Consequences of Class Chapter 5: Work Chapter 6: Health Care Chapter 7: Education Chapter 8: Justice and Injustice Chapter 9: Natural Disasters Chapter 10: Unequal Sacrifice in War Chapter 11: Environmental Classism Part III: Reducing Inequality Chapter 12: Progressive Solutions for Reducing Inequality