Ethnic America

By: Thomas Sowell

Narrated by: James Bundy

Thomas Sowell provides us with a useful and concise record tracing the history of nine ethnic groups: Irish, Germans, Jews, Italians, Chinese, Japanese, Blacks, Puerto Ricans, and Mexicans.

He offers perspective-building facts, such as the fact that there are more people of Irish ancestry in the United States than in Ireland and more Jews than in Israel. He explains each ethnic group's varied experiences in adapting to American society.

©1981 Basic Books, Inc. (P)1989 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[This] should be required reading for anyone interested in policy questions involving race and ethnicity." (New Republic)
"Ethnic America is at once useful as a concise history of major ethnic groups and significant as a quiet but powerful attack on liberal beliefs about minorities, racism, segregation, and affirmative action." (The New York Times Book Review)

Sowell is Amazing!

Thomas Sowell is one of the greatest economists of all time! He is consistent and he does his homework.

excellent survey

very good review of how we all came to be here in the USA. realistic census information, somewhat dated, support the facts.

Good for history, otherwise out of date

This book is now 40 years old. Although the historical data is excellent for the most part, so much has changed in the field of cultural studies within the past 40 years as to make this book out of touch with current terminology, philosophy, and statistics.

Good book for learning racial facts not hype

The facts written in this book are as pertinent today as ever. Interesting to get a general understanding of racial differences and similarities, based on their histories and assimilation into America as a whole.

Gotta love Sowell

Extremely enlightening. Great presentation of the facts and reasoned argument. Clear headed discussion on ethnic integration into the US.

Wish I read it 10 years earlier

I wish I read this book before I moved to US, and this classic book still remains its value over time and becoming relevant even recently.

the facts

Wonderful book. Highly recommend. The while thing is filled with explanations that are so intentionally overlooked by people in 2024. who's feelers direct them, not the rational mind.

Thomas Sowell is a national treasure

Although this book could be revised with updated data, it is still an excellent reference for understanding the interesting histories and realities of Americans.

Dr Sowell breaks down American ethnicity

Dr. Sowell uses economics, history, sociology to break down ethnicity in America. Enjoyed the reading too. This book is worthy of a second listen.

My Favorite Sowell so far

Filled with lots of interesting topics an perhaps misnamed. This should a history of immigration assimilation compared to the African American.