The Practical Skeptic: Core Concepts in Sociology by Lisa J. McIntyre is a trade paperback textbook designed for a college audience, offering a concise introduction to sociology focusing on core concepts. Written in a conversational style, with various pedagogical features, the book covers topics such as the history of sociology, the sociological eye, social structures, socialization, deviance, stratification, and inequality. With a table of content organized in a conceptual framework, this 3rd edition illustrated book of 269 pages is a valuable resource for students looking to understand sociology and its application in the real world.