"This book captures the vitality and theoretical innovation at work in the field. It explains new theorizations of rural life, landscape, and work and leisure over the last 10 years. The three main sections are devoted to: key approaches to the sociology of rural knowledge, spatial, social, economic, resources, planning, key theoretical coordinates in survey of the state of the area, and new ruralities, new formulations of rural citizenship and social movements." -- APADE The Handbook of Rural Studies attempts to address that question by bringing together scholars from both sides of the Atlantic to consider key approaches, theoretical developments, and contemporary conditions in rural communities. The editors contend there is revival afoot, and their aim is to convey what they see as new intellectual excitement and heightened relevance of rural studies. The 35 diverse essays include work by scholars trained in sociology, geography, planning, economics, psychology, tourism management, and development. One of the clear strengths of the book is its broad, even eclectic, approach. The stronger chapters include well-written, thoughtful introductory road maps to their argument, review the relevant literature to date, and assess what it adds up to for the field or a particular subfield. These authors bring a rural lens to key contemporary concerns about issues such as racial, gender, and class inequality, politics, environmental degradation, and new community and regional development efforts. -- Chris R. Colocousis and Cynthia M. Duncan * Journal of Regional Science * "SAGE Handbooks set a standard amongst compendia for fields within the social sciences...The book is well produced and includes an excellent index..one that will prove useful to graduate students..." -- Paul B. Thompson * Agriculture and Human Values *