We all have a body, but how does it impact upon our everyday life? This new and accessible introduction to the sociology of the body explores how ordinary women, men and children talk about their bodies.

Jonathan Watson Health Education Board for Scotland, Edinburgh Bill Bytheway Stratford upon Avon, Julie Johnson Stratford upon Avon, Nick Watson University of Edinburgh, Alexandra Howson University of Edinburgh, Bethan Williams and Julie Barlow both at Coventry University, Sarah Cunningham-Burley University of Edinburgh, Eileen Fairhurst University of Manchester, Gillian Bendelow and Simon Williams both at University of Warwick, Mick Bloor University of Wales Cardiff, Mike Hepworth and Mike Featherstone University of Aberdeen, Deborah Lupton Charles Strut University, Bathurst, Australia, Professor Emily Martin Princeton University, USA.

'A fascinating and wide-ranging collection that is bound to engage the reader with new ideas and understandings.' - Laura Potts, Health Matters Issue 36 Spring 1999'A significant contribution to research relating to the embodied self as experienced in daily life and real world situations. It combines a wide range of research approaches, settings and topics and yet maintains a specific focus throughout' - Steve Robertson, Medical Sociology News vol 26 June 2000