Race and Culture

A World View

De: Thomas Sowell

Narrado por: Tom Weiner

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?” and 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.

Thomas Sowell has taught economics at Cornell, UCLA, Amherst, and other academic institutions, and his Basic Economics has been translated into six languages. He is currently a scholar in residence at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He has been published in both academic journals and such popular media as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes magazine, and Fortune, and he writes a syndicated column that appears in newspapers across the country.

©1994 Thomas Sowell (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“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.” (The Wall Street Journal)

“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.’” (Publishers Weekly)

“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.” (Washington Times)

One of Thomas Sowell's key works - in his words.

Thomas Sowell always has historical facts for his analysis. His books are a good foundation to be able to cut through the "narrative" that most reporting on both sides of the political spectrum espouse without regard to facts.

Thomas Sowell. Enough said.

The topic of race and culture is such a hot button issue it is hard to address it without using data to justify one's preconcieved notions. Dr. Sowell does his usual thorough analysis of the available information to reach a logical conclusion that cannot be dismissed except through emotion. It is now 24 years since publication but still is worth the time.

The big picture of the people of the world

This book is a truly deep and interesting research, observation of patterns and analysis of races and cultures. If you ever wanted to understand why certain nations, races and cultures are/were more successful than others in certain periods of human history (or at least, get closer to understanding, because even the author says many things are yet to be explained) - buy this book. If you're genuinely interested in history of human development as a civilization and different subtle patterns of interactions between different cultures and races - buy this book.

You will not only get some of the desired answers to those questions, you will also be presented with various fascinating examples from the history of different cultures and will learn a great deal of facts you may not have known. For example, a chapter on slavery is one of the most interesting ones in the book, as it portrays this institution in great detail pointing out not only the slavery in the western world, but in the rest of the world as well, describing various customs and peculiarities of slavery in different cultures. Turns out, Arab world imported a number of times more slaves from Africa than the US did during the same period of time, but because western world was much more concerned with slavery very little data and literature exists about slavery in the Arab world.

To sum it up: great book, very interesting story telling with lots of facts, superb narration.

What a Great Thomas Sowell !!!

Thomas Sowell always give us a surprise! No matter what you agree to disagree with Thomss sowell, His book worth your time.

A Must read book!

Fantastic as Always

Thomas Sowell is one of the greatest authors and thinkers of our time. This country would be a better place if his books were standard reading requirements in our high schools and colleges.

Intellectually nutritious

I'm pretty sure I've never had a frank and honest discussion of race and culture with anyone, ever. The risks of having such a discussion are enormous, unless of course one parrots politically acceptable talking points. Ironically, even a suggestion that the public discourse on this topic isn't frank or honest will trigger some people and mark me as a 'white supremacist'.

Sowell undoubtedly understood this dynamic, but went ahead anyways and turned his considerable intellect and academic training to the subject of race and culture, taking a global perspective and thus negating the disingenuous character of this particular American fishbowl.

The book surprised me. I knew of Sowell as a columnist and opiner, but I had no idea that he would have so much to offer me. It was like discovering a Fabrege egg among the pedestrian offerings at Walmart. Sowell doesn't flinch; ever. He methodically applies the best social science methodologies available to elicit truth and slay our myths. This is no right-wing screed, and Trump supporters may be chagrined to read Sowell's conclusions about the value of cultures-not-your-own. On the other hand, if you are an indoctrinated social liberal, there will be a lot to offend your sensibilities.

So about the performance...if you are expecting Harry Potter, this is going to disappointing, but in comparison with the performance of other non-fiction, academic works, it is remarkable fluid and 'listenable'. Nevertheless, I bought the paperback after listening to it, because there is a lot of factual material that one may want to reference later. If I had the time to read (which I don't), I would prefer the book over the audio, but the audio performance is no barrier to enjoying the book. I'm afraid that seems to be damning with faint praise, which is not really my intention.

So insightful!

A reeducation for sure. Thank you Thomas Sowell. Hearing history told using facts. This gives me a proper way of looking at the world.

The normal speed is too fast

And, the .75 speed is too slow. Some adjustment needs to be made. Please correct

Excellant

Origonal scholarship and concepts are well thought out and inciteful. top many required words. my last review

Some authors still have integrity and courage!

What made the experience of listening to Race and Culture the most enjoyable?

Sowell is such a intellect. He takes an issue, breaks it down into its key parts, and then analyses the whole to understand what is the cause and effect of the processes he is examining. Sowell follows the evidence, and the facts, where ever they lead. He is courageous and is not afraid of being attacked by the PC brigades.

What other book might you compare Race and Culture to and why?

The "Protestant Ethic" by Max Weber is looking at society and culture and trying to describe why American culture is the way it is. Sowell also is looking at the world, and trying to understand why we find what we find the culture.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, this could be a one sitting book.