After offering a description of the general historical development of Catholic social thought, Thompson provides five chapters that each deal with a specific theme: faithful citizenship, economic justice, human rights, war and peace and the consistent ethic of life, and care for the earth. Each chapter identifies key documents and explores their meaning and how they are applied today. Stories of key practitioners include figures ranging from César Chávez and Mother Teresa to John Leary and Dorothy Stang. Written by an experienced teacher in accessible language, Introducing Catholic Social Thought is appropriate for courses in Catholic social teaching, Christian ethics, and social justice for undergraduates and non-religion majors, as well as for adult and parish study groups.