Thomas Sowell is one of America’s leading voices on matters of race and ethnicity. In his book Inside American Education he surveyed the ills of American education from the primary grades to graduate school with “an impressive range of knowledge and acuity of observation,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Now in his book Race and Culture he asks the question: “What is it that allows certain groups to get ahead?” The answer will undoubtedly create debates for years to come.
The thesis of Race and Culture is that productive skills are the key to understanding the economic advancement of particular racial or ethnic groups, as well as countries and civilizations—and that the spread of those skills, whether through migration or conquest, explains much of the advancement of the human race. Whether this body of skills, aptitudes, and disciplines is called “culture” or “human capital,” it explains far more than politics, prejudice, or genetics. Rather than draw on the experience of one country or one era of history, Race and Culture encompasses dozens of racial and ethnic groups, living in scores of countries around the world, over a period of centuries. Due to its breadth and scope, this study is able to test alternative theories empirically on a vast canvas in space and time. Its conclusions refute much, if not most, of what is currently believed about race and about cultures.
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"Thomas Sowell just has a way to see things that I really like. This book was interesting in how it traced slavery throughout history and around the world. He points to 1960s liberal policies as creating todays current black culture rather than slavery or any other reason or excuse used. " — Jennifer (4 out of 5 stars)
"Thomas Sowell just has a way to see things that I really like. This book was interesting in how it traced slavery throughout history and around the world. He points to 1960s liberal policies as creating todays current black culture rather than slavery or any other reason or excuse used. "
“For the better part of the last decade, Mr. Sowell’s books on race, economics, and markets have constituted a rare repository of insights on some of the most pressing social-science concerns of our times.”
“Thomas Sowell is a unique national resource. Almost alone among academic economists, he fulfills the true calling of the intellectual, which is to explain the world so that we can know how to save what we cherish—so that we have no excuse for ignorance.”
“Thomas Sowell has produced a book that will compel every careful reader…to rethink their most confident views on matters of race and culture…the reader cannot help but find reasons to hope for a better world, culturally and racially, in this grimly realistic assessment.”
“Sowell draws on a worldwide range of examples and more than a decade of research in this intriguing exploration of the role of cultural attributes on group advancement…He tackles a host of issues: the costs and benefits of residential segregation; how affirmative action primarily helps better-off members of preferred groups; how prominent political leaders are not crucial to group success; how low-scoring groups on intelligence tests do their worst on abstract questions devoid of ‘cultural bias.’”
“Sowell’s study undoubtedly will arouse controversy and provoke debate. A valuable addition to minority studies collections in public and academic libraries alike.”
“Thomas Sowell’s views on race and culture must command the respect of any informed, unbiased person…The book is a tour de force that will set the standards on this important and complex subject for years to come.”
“One finishes reading this book awed with Sowell’s capacity to bring together so much material in such a readable fashion.”
“Sowell has no match in his breadth of knowledge on these issues…Race and Culture is ultimately a cautionary tale of human history with broad implications for current public policies directed at racial and ethnic groups in the US.”
" Race & Culture is the first book in a three book series. Migrations & Culture and Conquests & Culture are the other two books. All three are highly recommended. "
" Another broad and deep work from America's most important living author. Shows that when we talk about race we really should be discussing culture. "
" Clear thinking on one of the murkiest topics. "
" But of course this is exceptional. Satisfying in every way. I must say (although Sowell would not approve) there is nothing more seductive than critical analysis that finds the truth. "
" Sowell proves again he is the smartest man in the world. A national treasure. "
" This book was incredible. Thomas sowell breaks down the confusion about race and culture that has been perpetuated by those with a self-annointed vision who have incentive to stunt clarification through verbal virtuousity. "
" This book was very thought-provoking. He makes some very strong points in supporting his world view. Race has a lot more to do woth how the world still moves than I would like to think, blood may still be a lot thicker than we would even like to think. "
" Excellent, broad primer on sociology. I would recommend this as an introduction to students over the dry textbooks that I've read as part of my college's standard "core" humanities course. "
" A good book, if a little dull. Best at clearing away the superficial moralizing that passes for thinking about race. "
" I've read the audio version of this three times in about six months. It is FULL of information and provoking ideas but it seems somewhat nebulous. I think that I need to settle down with print version in order to pull all of the ideas together in mind. "
" An eclectic conglomeration of policy, politics, race relations and other topics delivered in the author's easy to read, easy to understand, enlightening, thought provoking and entertaining style. "
" My sister gave me this book and advised me to remove the jacket and cover the title with a piece of tape if I were reading it in public. Good advice! It's a very provocative topic. Later...love it! I am going to read more by this author. "
" This book dispels some stereotypes I had as well as some misconceptions formed by popular opinion. It's a good book to read (though the print is quite fine!) although not as easy to read as Dismantling America. "
" I loved this book. Sowell makes me want to be a historian. "
" Where is his Nobel? Seriously, why isn't Sowell our first black president? "
" First chapter the best: Black Culture is descended from the Scots-Irish redneck culture in the American South. "
" Okay, this guy is a stud. I love the rare academic who will actually shoot straight with you. This was a collection of 6 refreshingly incisive essays that systematically debunked many of the pet beliefs and agendas of today's intelligentsia. "
Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is the author of dozens of books and the recipient of various awards, including the National Humanities Medal, presented by the president of the United States in 2003.
Tom Weiner, a dialogue director and voice artist best known for his roles in video games and television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Transformers, is the winner of eight Earphones Awards and is an Audie Award finalist. He is a former member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
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