Haralambos and Holborn (The Blue Book)

soaringskies

While placing an order for Haralambos and Holborn (The Blue Book), I came across the following books and both have huge price difference, can someone please tell which is relevant to UPSC Sociology Optional? Both are 8th edition and have blue cover -

This costs Rs 4530
http://www.amazon.in/Haralambos-Holborn-Sociology-Themes-Perspectives/dp/0007498829/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

This costs Rs 742
http://www.amazon.in/HARALAMBOS-HOLBORN-SOCIOLOGY-THEMES-PERSPECTIVES/dp/0007583192?tag=googinhydr18418-21

^^ These two seem to be same but can't figure out the huge difference in prices of both.

This costs Rs 2983 (7th edition though)
http://www.flipkart.com/sociology-themes-perspectives-english-7th/p/itmdut4hhcwpbrvg?pid=9780007245956&otracker=from-search&srno=t_3&query=sociology-+themes+and+perspectives+by+haralambos+and+holborn&ref=9ae7b8ae-f49e-419d-a20c-01bee2a6d5a5

This costs Rs 1192 (AS and A2 student handbook)
http://www.flipkart.com/sociology-themes-perspectives-student-handbook-english/p/itmczymab7zwrrk2?pid=9780007310722&icmpid=reco_pp_same_book_book_1&ppid=9780195613797

Someone please clarify, which one to buy? Also if Haralombos and Heald (Orange Book) is recommended too?

takla_makaaan

Buy Rs 742 one from amazon with confidence. Its the Indian edition. So available dirt-cheap. I had to buy 7th edition for 2200 from Jawahar book depot. Haven't seen 8th but updated must be better.
Anyways, U have an option of buying Anthony Giddens too. If u find the price good, it covers well too.
Both are v interesting to read and comprehension is easy to medium.
Ignore flipkart ones.

soaringskies

@takla_makaaan, thanks I know the 742 one is too cheap plus it is a new edition. I have been trying to decode the difference between the two, but amazon has not given product description for this one, though the Index of the both books, it displays are same. (I just hope it's not the Student Handbook) On a weird note, the 7th edition is much expensive than the 8th edition, which is puzzling to me. Even 700 is a huge amount for me to invest in a book, so don't wanna risk my money. Is the Indian edition same, content-wise?

I do have Anthony Giddens 6th edition, with me. Does this book suffice, since Haralambos is considered to be a must have?

ashutosh_aditya

What about Orange Cover Book on Sociology: Themes and perspective by Haralambos and Heald ? I Just received it from Flipkart for Rs 217/-

:-SS

aman131

@ashutosh_aditya
Orange book has lost its relevance...Blue book is a good book to refer...but in my opinion if you have notes of upendra and mahapatra then no need to refer books except yojana, kurukshetra and some times ignou MA for paper 2

divine_tunes

@ soaringskies : Pls share your feedback once you have got the book. Me too starting my sociology preparation and facing the same confusion.

ashutosh_aditya

@aman131 : Thanks mate for sharing the information. After reading your comment, I returned this book to flipkart and ofcourse without any charge.

Inthefray

@aman131 what's the difference between the blue and orange horlombos?

aman131

@Inthefray you can get almost all the topics of paper1 from this blue book except the thinkers part has not been covered good here. Blue book is a detailed one and you wont feel adding anything extra to it which was not the case of with the orange book.
Guys I am giving my personal opinion plus the opinion of upendra sir. Rest is upto you

aman131

@aman131 : Thanks mate for sharing the information. After reading your comment, I returned this book to flipkart and ofcourse without any charge.

accha kya :P.. waise you can get Xerox of blue book in some 450 Rs...Check it out with any of your delhi friends...they may provide you the same

Ziel

@Inthefray
The orange one is the reprint edition of the book originally published in 1980. The authors are Haralambos & Heald.
The blue one is the updated/latest edition book co-authored by Haralambos & Holborn.