Knowledge and Decisions

By: Thomas Sowell

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

This reissue of Thomas Sowell’s classic study of decision making, which includes a preface by the author, updates his seminal work in the context of The Vision of the Anointed. Sowell, one of America’s most celebrated public intellectuals, describes in concrete detail how knowledge is shared and disseminated throughout modern society. He warns that society suffers from an ever-widening gap between firsthand knowledge and decision making—a gap that threatens not only our economic and political efficiency but our very freedom. This is because actual knowledge is being replaced by assumptions based on an abstract and elitist social vision of what ought to be.

Knowledge and Decisions, a winner of the 1980 Law and Economics Center Prize, was heralded as a landmark work and selected for this prize “because of its cogent contribution to our understanding of the differences between the market process and the process of government.” In announcing the award, the center acclaimed that the “contribution to our understanding of the process of regulation alone would make the book important, but in reemphasizing the diversity and efficiency that the market makes possible, [this] work goes deeper and becomes even more significant.”

Thomas Sowell 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, and Fortune and writes a syndicated column for newspapers across the country.

©1980 Basic Books, Inc. Preface 1996 by Thomas Sowell (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“This is a brilliant book. Sowell illuminates how every society operates. In the process he also shows how the performance of our own society can be improved.” (Milton Friedman)

“In a wholly original manner [Sowell] succeeds in translating abstract and theoretical argument into a highly concrete and realistic discussion of the central problems of contemporary economic policy.” (F. A. Hayek)

Awesome

One of the best books I've ever read. If you're a liberty loving individual, this book puts a lot of our government structure into perspective and really breaks down all thats wrong with it. Absolutely loved it.

How the Political Class Evolved in America

This is a classic that, sadly, is timeless. It would have been nice to look back on this book’s writings as no longer relevant but this is not the case. This book is still essential reading as the ideas observations and conclusions are as true today as they were when written.

Love Thomas Sowell. Very informative !

Packed full of good information! A little on the monotone side. Still great work though.

Great Insight!

Sowell is a great intellectual mind! Full of Deep Knowledge. I am excited to read the next book!

Read at least first half

The most important and foundational of Sowell's book. The first part is superb, while the second is boring at times. I enjoyed second part too because it is 30 years old and gives contemporary account, which is different than reading history books now.

Outstanding! Required reading for all!!

Outstanding! Required reading for all!!
I recommend that everyone who wishes to develop a better understanding of what we know—and how we decide—should read this book.

Terrific book.

Another empirical data driven masterpiece. Love the subject matter, the author, the way the information is delivered (in a no nonsense manner), and the narrator.

A good book, but harder to understand than his other works

A good book, I think I would have to sit again to get most of it. However, it also seemed more dry than basic economics.

Part 2 made it worthwhile for me

As a non-economist, part one was a bit difficult to get through. Here he applies economic principles to social processes. Part two where he applied those principles to current trends in economics, law and politics was much more relatable and therefore more interesting for me.

A must-read master piece

If you could sum up Knowledge and Decisions in three words, what would they be?

Best best and best

What was one of the most memorable moments of Knowledge and Decisions?

Every moment

What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A good narrative

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

from cover to cover

Any additional comments?

I just love Thomas sowell, and this book!