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The Thomas Sowell Reader (Unabridged Audio Book) How to debunk the left! See Description Details
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DaWCvaUzwY
Chapter Breaks - Click on Timecode to Skip to Section:
SOCIAL ISSUES
01:05 The Money of Fools
05:38 Boomers and Boomerangs
10:17 Is the Family Becoming Extinct?
15:16 Life at the Bottom
19:56 Twisted History
24:52 Animal Rights
29:14 Human Livestock
33:48 The Einstein Syndrome
38:39 The Wright Stuff
43:13 Revisionists Against America
48:27 Autism "Cures"?
52:58 Instructing the Instructors
57:33 April Fools' Party
01:01:47 Growing Old
01:06:14 Foreign Domestics
01:11:18 Cruel "Compassion"
01:16:40 Wars Over Values
01:22:17 Love is a Four-Letter Word
01:27:33 Meaningless "Equality"
01:33:15 Little Things
01:38:04 Mascots of the Anointed
01:43:28 The Anti-American Americans
01:48:08 "Dead Ball" versus "Lively Ball"?
ECONOMICS
01:58:27 One-Stage Thinking
02:02:16 Union Myths
02:07:08 "Affordability"
02:13:01 Saving Lives
02:17:03 Picturing the "Trust Fund"
02:21:56 The Economics of Crime
02:40:03 The Economics of Discrimination
03:05:31 "Income Distribution"
03:31:22 Minimum Wage Laws
03:54:37 The Role of Economics
POLITICAL ISSUES
04:13:43 Ivan and Boris -- and Us
04:18:24 Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)
04:22:54 The "Compassion" Racket
04:27:32 Spoiled Brat Politics
04:32:11 The Left's Vocabulary
04:36:59 Unfunded Mandates
04:42:14 Reflections on Term Limits
04:47:09 The Survival of the Left
04:52:14 Politics in One Lesson
04:57:27 The Pattern of the Anointed
05:54:19 "On Liberty" Reconsidered
06:03:15 Marx the Man
LEGAL ISSUES
06:51:00 Penny-Wise on Crime
06:55:55 Justice for Little Angelo
07:00:44 Love Those Killers!
07:05:52 Law on Trial
07:10:55 Aborted Knowledge
07:15:53 Gun Control Myths
07:20:43 Gun Control Myths II
07:25:21 Power to the Parasites
07:30:37 Medical Lawsuits
07:35:05 Passing in Review
07:40:46 Are Cops Racist?
07:45:29 The Meaning of Law
07:50:51 Freedom of Democracy
07:55:52 Judicial Activism and Judicial Restraint
RACE AND ETHNICITY
08:33:07 Older Budweiser
08:38:07 "Diversity" in India
08:43:11 The Slavery Card
08:48:26 "Minorities"
08:53:41 Race, Romance and Reality
08:58:40 Dog-in-the-Manger Politics
09:03:52 "Friends" of Blacks
09:08:47 Giving Business the Business
09:14:06 Stereotypes versus the Market
09:19:32 Recycled "Racism"
09:24:09 Geography versus Equality
09:29:10 Assumptions Behind Affirmative Action
09:35:04 The Multiculturalism Cult
09:40:11 Life is Culturally Biased
09:45:52 Booker T. Washington After One Hundred Years
10:09:01 Affirmative Action Around the World
10:54:50 The Influence of Geography
EDUCATION ISSUES
12:06:08 Tragi-Comic "Educators"
12:12:01 Scientists Need Not Apply
12:17:01 Higher Education and Low Comedy
12:22:39 Success Concealing Failure
12:27:46 "Public Service" -- or Disservice?
12:33:16 "Forced to Volunteer"
12:38:30 Goodbye to Sara and Benjamin?
12:43:44 Choosing a College
12:48:53 The Idiocy of "Relevance"
12:53:40 Julian Stanley and Bright Children
12:58:17 Anti-"Elitism" in Education
13:03:30 The Old Neighborhood
13:08:24 Wasting Minds
13:13:18 Do Facts Matter?
13:18:23 Deep Trouble from Shallow People
13:23:31 "Good" Teachers
13:28:29 Behind "Publish or Perish"
13:33:29 Glimpses of Academe
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
13:38:38 Carolina in the Morning
14:05:32 Memories
14:20:00 RANDOM THOUGHTS
#BasicEconomics #liberty #sowell #money #economics
===
Product description
Review
America's best writer on economics, particularly when that discipline intersects with politics.--World
It's a scandal that economist Thomas Sowell has not been awarded the Nobel Prize. No one alive has turned out so many insightful, richly researched books.--Steve Forbes
Thomas Sowell is, in my opinion, the most interesting philosopher at work in America.--Paul Johnson, author of Modern Times
From the Publisher
A one-volume introduction to over three decades of the wide-ranging writings of one of America's most respected and cited authors. The Thomas Sowell Reader includes essays on:Social IssuesEconomicsPolitical IssuesLegal IssuesRace and EthnicityEducational IssuesBiographical SketchesRandom Thoughts &ldquoMy hope is that this large selection of my writings will reduce the likelihood that readers will misunderstand what I have said on many controversial issues over the years. Whether the reader will agree with all my conclusions is another question entirely. But disagreements can be productive, while misunderstandings seldom are.&rdquo - Thomas Sowell 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 published in both academic journals and such popular media as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investors Business Daily, and Fortune, and he writes a syndicated column that appears in newspapers across the country.
About the Author
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.
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Product details
Publisher : Basic Books; 1st edition (4 October 2011)
Language : English
Hardcover : 464 pages
===
Top reviews from other countries
MH
Bite sized wisdom from a true intellectual heavyweight.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 March 2021Verified Purchase
For anyone wanting to know more about the important work of Thomas Sowell, this Reader is an essential starting point. It is divided into 8 diverse chapters (economics, politics, law, education, etc), with each chapter tackling a large number of issues and arguments in a brief and accessible manner. Most individual entries are 2-3 pages long, so can be read in 5 minutes whenever you have a few spare moments. Yet there is sufficient detail in each entry to impress upon you the original arguments and contributions made by Dr Sowell. Once you get through enough of the Reader, you’ll be well placed move on to one of his more specialist books like Discrimination and Disparities.
Olivia Fitzgerald
What a scholar.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 February 2021Verified Purchase
This man should be elevated to the highest policy offices across the globe. An economist who understands that counting counts. A man who cares deeply about his fellow human, and because of his own very humble beginnings, knows what a life best lived looks like. There’s an essay for every circumstance and occasion. A wonderful addition to my growing Thomas Sowell collection.
MR A THORPE
Thomas Sowell is a must read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 July 2020Verified Purchase
I only discovered Thomas Sowell recently. He has a brilliant mind that cuts through problems to get to the real issues. He always refers to the evidence to support conclusions. He was 90 on the 30th June and I hope we have the benefit of his wisdom for many more years.
Nick H
Thought provoking book. A bit dated.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 May 2022Verified Purchase
It's a bit dated. That's not really a critiicism of the artciles in it as such but more recent references and examples would be nice.
JK
Must read for a criticque of the left
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 January 2014Verified Purchase
This book shows Sowell at his best. He discusses various topics such as Marx, economics, race, politics, education, and many others. You don't stay on the same topic for too long, just short concise punches, this would definitely be a book you could recommend to introduce someone to Sowell as it covers so many varied subjects and is presented in a digestible, interesting, way.
===
A wonderful collection of articles and essays written by Sowell. If you’ve read some of Sowell’s other books you will notice that many of the essays are from other great books he has written. Among the most notable chapters in this book are “The Economics of Discrimination,” “Marx the Man,” “Affirmative Action Around the World,” and “Patterns of the Anointed.” My favorite essay has to be “Patterns of the Anointed,” which covers social policies in the 1980s and above and how they were destructive. This book also gives you some insight into how his youth years were like growing up in Harlem. (less)
Mar 12, 2012Fred Forbes rated it really liked it
I was surprised at the end of this weighty tome to find that I agree with most of what he said. Why? As an independent I tend to be a centrist in political matters and his reputation had been presented to me as a pretty hard core conservative which usually brings to mind a level of shrillness and inaccuracy that leaves me pretty cold. I tend toward being a liberal in social matters and a conservative in the fiscal arena so I was surprised that many of the social topics he discusses can be handled in a positive fashion while disclosing the inherent weaknesses in many favored liberal approaches. I think the reason I responded positively to his arguments is that they do not include the evangelical, "this is right because I say so" which is common in many tracts on the same subject. He appears a person one could work with, his prescriptions feature sound logic and verifiable proof. The book is well written and informative and I am glad I took the time to read it. (less)
Jul 29, 2018Jeanette rated it it was amazing
Beyond superb. Not only the best economics of specific nuance that I've ever read, but also the most exactly and succinctly worded. Some of these I have read reprinted as 2 page definitions or essay articles in numerous other publications. But to have them all together!
The following article divisions should be read and reread in all levels of education- and in each and every ethnicity or national background:
The Money of Fools
Life at the Bottom
Cruel "Compassion"
The Anti-American Americans
Union Myths
The Economics of Crime
The "Compassion" Racket
The Pattern of the Annointed
Love Those Killers!
Aborted Knowledge
"Friends" of Blacks (This one should be read every year of schooling at least once, as it contains historical and empirical data upon racial adjustments in schools etc. and what that result has harvested.)
Multiculturalism Cult
Wasting Minds
Glimpses of Academe
There are more quotes that are prime superb by the dozens in every single article- even his Random Thoughts section. Those I listed above are not even 1/2 of what's in this combination reader. Some of the economics and business sections are not true just for the USA, but for every system. About what PRODUCES progress, value, goods and not only what redistributes them.
This book becomes more brilliant by the year. Each and every projection he made upon economics of urban environments for schooling and much else has occurred precisely as he foresaw.
It's a keeper. Worth buying just for the references and quotable gold alone! (less)
The following article divisions should be read and reread in all levels of education- and in each and every ethnicity or national background:
The Money of Fools
Life at the Bottom
Cruel "Compassion"
The Anti-American Americans
Union Myths
The Economics of Crime
The "Compassion" Racket
The Pattern of the Annointed
Love Those Killers!
Aborted Knowledge
"Friends" of Blacks (This one should be read every year of schooling at least once, as it contains historical and empirical data upon racial adjustments in schools etc. and what that result has harvested.)
Multiculturalism Cult
Wasting Minds
Glimpses of Academe
There are more quotes that are prime superb by the dozens in every single article- even his Random Thoughts section. Those I listed above are not even 1/2 of what's in this combination reader. Some of the economics and business sections are not true just for the USA, but for every system. About what PRODUCES progress, value, goods and not only what redistributes them.
This book becomes more brilliant by the year. Each and every projection he made upon economics of urban environments for schooling and much else has occurred precisely as he foresaw.
It's a keeper. Worth buying just for the references and quotable gold alone! (less)
May 31, 2012Kevin Farrell rated it it was amazing
If you have not read Thomas Sowell, this may be the place to start. He writes about many things, in general, but I will try to boil it down to a few descriptive words. Sowell is an economist. He is an intellectual. He is African American. He writes with precision and some warmth about economics, politics, racism, and the US government. His writing tends to be in the essay style which can take some effort for me to delve into.
He will surprise you. He firmly believes that ideas can be tested and measured for effectiveness and takes issue with those in power who have adopted big ideas but refuse to put any measurement to them.
This book is a collection of very short articles for those of us with short attention spans. He explores many subjects that he has written about over his long career. He takes a very unpopular stand on many things.
Slavery is in the past and blacks are owed nothing.
We live in a society where it is popular to create victims for every incident.
Individual responsibility is disappearing quickly.
It is not the governments job to "take care of everyone".
And many more such thoughts. Unlike many authors and pundits, Sowell supports his assertions with clearly presented examples and references. He is not a smoke and mirrors kind of guy. The writing and the arguments are quite clear - that is his goal. To be clear. (less)
He will surprise you. He firmly believes that ideas can be tested and measured for effectiveness and takes issue with those in power who have adopted big ideas but refuse to put any measurement to them.
This book is a collection of very short articles for those of us with short attention spans. He explores many subjects that he has written about over his long career. He takes a very unpopular stand on many things.
Slavery is in the past and blacks are owed nothing.
We live in a society where it is popular to create victims for every incident.
Individual responsibility is disappearing quickly.
It is not the governments job to "take care of everyone".
And many more such thoughts. Unlike many authors and pundits, Sowell supports his assertions with clearly presented examples and references. He is not a smoke and mirrors kind of guy. The writing and the arguments are quite clear - that is his goal. To be clear. (less)
Mar 04, 2018Jonathan Maas rated it it was amazing
To quote Thomas Sowell:
Well, this frames his conservative-intellectual ideology in a great light.
Here's an idea, here's my reasoning - now it's up to you to come to your own conclusions.
I began reading this under the mantra - I believe it was Nate Silver who said this - that a person who likes ideas actively reads those who do not share his or her viewpoint.
Well Thomas Sowell does not share my viewpoint in any way - but he does make you think. He comes from an ultra-conservative angle, and then argues it well.
In this day and age it's mild - he refrains from insulting anyone or even bringing up names. He attacks institutions and ideas, and that is it.
The only criticism I have is the same that I pushed against Ta-Nehisi Coates and Roxane Gay - is that Sowell doesn't surprise.
After you get used to his arguments, pick an issue, and you can guess what he is going to say before he says it. It's just that he comes from a conservative viewpoint.
If you're a conservative, get this - it acts as a go-to source - whatever issue you want, he'll have a well-argued, if not unpredictable, argument on the issue.
If you're liberal or anything else - still read it anyway. It will challenge you, but in a good way.
(less)
My hope is that this large selection of my writings will reduce the likelihood that readers will misunderstand what I have said on many controversial issues over the years. Whether the readers will agree with all my conclusions is another question entirely. But disagreements can be productive, while misunderstandings seldom are.
Well, this frames his conservative-intellectual ideology in a great light.
Here's an idea, here's my reasoning - now it's up to you to come to your own conclusions.
I began reading this under the mantra - I believe it was Nate Silver who said this - that a person who likes ideas actively reads those who do not share his or her viewpoint.
Well Thomas Sowell does not share my viewpoint in any way - but he does make you think. He comes from an ultra-conservative angle, and then argues it well.
In this day and age it's mild - he refrains from insulting anyone or even bringing up names. He attacks institutions and ideas, and that is it.
The only criticism I have is the same that I pushed against Ta-Nehisi Coates and Roxane Gay - is that Sowell doesn't surprise.
After you get used to his arguments, pick an issue, and you can guess what he is going to say before he says it. It's just that he comes from a conservative viewpoint.
If you're a conservative, get this - it acts as a go-to source - whatever issue you want, he'll have a well-argued, if not unpredictable, argument on the issue.
If you're liberal or anything else - still read it anyway. It will challenge you, but in a good way.
(less)
Jun 05, 2021David rated it it was amazing
Whenever you pick up a book by Thomas Sowell, you can count on being much more informed and educated upon finishing it than you were before. Having read quite a few of them, I would be hard pressed to point out a favorite, until I read The Thomas Sowell Reader by Thomas Sowell; it is a one-volume introduction to over three decades of the wide-ranging writings of one of America's most respected and cited authors. Most of the others I have read focused on a specific topic or issue and provided an in-depth analysis with plenty of supporting facts and references. This book was more like a buffet that addressed a variety of Dr. Sowell's earlier writings that are mostly still relevant to this day. "These selections from the many writings of Thomas Sowell over a period of a half century cover social, economic, cultural, legal, educational, and political issues. The sources range from Dr. Sowell's letters, books, newspaper columns, and articles in both scholarly journals and popular magazines. The topics range from late-talking children to "tax cuts for the rich," baseball, race, war, the role of judges, medical care, and the rhetoric of politicians. These topics are dealt with by sometimes drawing on history, sometimes drawing on economics, and sometimes drawing on a sense of humor. The Thomas Sowell Reader includes essays on:* Social Issues* Economics* Political Issues* Legal Issues* Race and Ethnicity* Educational Issues* Biographical Sketches* Random Thoughts!"
"My hope is that this large selection of my writings will reduce the likelihood that readers will misunderstand what I have said on many controversial issues over the years. Whether the reader will agree with all my conclusions is another question entirely. But disagreements can be productive, while misunderstandings seldom are." -- Thomas Sowell
Highly recommended for all readers! (less)
"My hope is that this large selection of my writings will reduce the likelihood that readers will misunderstand what I have said on many controversial issues over the years. Whether the reader will agree with all my conclusions is another question entirely. But disagreements can be productive, while misunderstandings seldom are." -- Thomas Sowell
Highly recommended for all readers! (less)
Oct 25, 2018Peter Tillman rated it liked it
Shelves: did-not-finish, bios-memoirs, history, at-slo-paso-bg-pa
While I generally agree with Thomas Sowell, I got tired of his book's format, mostly 2 to 3 page vignettes. But he leads off with a rewrite of the Grasshopper and the Ant story, and it’s great. He adds Lefty the ant, who’s been to college! “I’m in public service,” Lefty said loftily. “I want to ‘make a difference’ in this world.” —available on the Kindle sample, nearby, which you should definitely get. 5+ stars!
And the sample will definitely give you a good idea of whether to go on to the book, in a half-hour or so of reading.
The other part of the book that was gripping was his autobiographical sketch at the end. And I see that Sowell has written an autobiography, "A Personal Odyssey," which I may want to try.
Sowell was born in 1930. His dying father asked an aunt to adopt him, she did, and the baby moved in with his great-aunt in Charlotte, NC. In 1939, his adoptive family moved to Harlem. His adoptive parents separated, and his adoptive mother fell on financial hard times. But Sowell qualified for Stuyvesant High School, a selective school that gave him a good education. He was able to go to college later, got advanced degrees, including his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago. He went on to a long academic career, accumulating both honors and brickbats. Sowell wrote that it was much harder for black students who came later to succeed as he did. In particular, he wrote that the use of racial quotas and affirmative action made the achievements of blacks (and other minorities) look suspect. Not least to themselves....
I’m in awe of his achievements, and agree with him that mush-minded “progressives” are doing great damage to the people they are trying to help. But, y’know, I’m a technical guy. I’m basically allergic to this stuff, and wish it would just go away. Can’t we all just get along? (less)
And the sample will definitely give you a good idea of whether to go on to the book, in a half-hour or so of reading.
The other part of the book that was gripping was his autobiographical sketch at the end. And I see that Sowell has written an autobiography, "A Personal Odyssey," which I may want to try.
Sowell was born in 1930. His dying father asked an aunt to adopt him, she did, and the baby moved in with his great-aunt in Charlotte, NC. In 1939, his adoptive family moved to Harlem. His adoptive parents separated, and his adoptive mother fell on financial hard times. But Sowell qualified for Stuyvesant High School, a selective school that gave him a good education. He was able to go to college later, got advanced degrees, including his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago. He went on to a long academic career, accumulating both honors and brickbats. Sowell wrote that it was much harder for black students who came later to succeed as he did. In particular, he wrote that the use of racial quotas and affirmative action made the achievements of blacks (and other minorities) look suspect. Not least to themselves....
I’m in awe of his achievements, and agree with him that mush-minded “progressives” are doing great damage to the people they are trying to help. But, y’know, I’m a technical guy. I’m basically allergic to this stuff, and wish it would just go away. Can’t we all just get along? (less)
Dec 29, 2012Don rated it it was amazing
words as the money of fools, rent control, 4xabuse and poverty when no marriage, foreigners not entitled, retrain responsibility, little authority to ?, pitcher Ruth fences, unions for unions, economy is trade offs vs singular govt unions and price controls and govt medical care, scarce resources with alternative uses, crime drops 89% with guns in home, bias in science welcomed, ideas have to work or not-ed govt, late term condemned by ama, geography, ed breakdowns, demonized producers subsidized non-producers canonized complainers, honest afraid of court and criminals are not, convince parasites they are victims, if can’t learn both sides of issue don’t bother to vote, provers prove what jerks they are, envy breeds anger and loss of money and freedom as hitler mao lenin stalin and now class warfare politicians, can’t do just one bailout, to help others tell truth to help self tell what desire, entitled vs gratitude is sad vs happy, no policy can change past, exempting from criticism is most harmful, evading truth is complicated, intimidation of disagreement is tragedy, waste to reason with unreasonable, learn what fool was before, human rights orgs degenerate to extortion, laugh at absurdity, maintain trust vs repair, non judgmental is judgmental, ivan the inappropriate. (less)
Sep 10, 2016Jerry rated it it was amazing
If you need a bathroom reader that’s well above the average, this would make a great choice—most of these essays are two pages long. Each section leads off with newspaper essays; then ends with some longer essays for more depth on the topic. The longer pieces are either written for this book, or are excerpted from earlier books by the author.
These essays provide short, packed introductions to Sowell’s approach to economics, and his research into other social problems facing the United States and the world today. It’s a great choice for a first book if you haven’t read any of his other books yet; and if you haven’t, you should.
It’s also a great choice if, like me, you have read some of his books but want a collection of his newspaper writings.
And as a complete change of subject, the larger essays on the influence of geography on culture are very useful for gamers and fantasy writers looking for tips on world-building.
He also includes a very short biographical sketch of himself in the final section which is interesting, and ties into some of his essays on race and economics. (less)
These essays provide short, packed introductions to Sowell’s approach to economics, and his research into other social problems facing the United States and the world today. It’s a great choice for a first book if you haven’t read any of his other books yet; and if you haven’t, you should.
It’s also a great choice if, like me, you have read some of his books but want a collection of his newspaper writings.
And as a complete change of subject, the larger essays on the influence of geography on culture are very useful for gamers and fantasy writers looking for tips on world-building.
He also includes a very short biographical sketch of himself in the final section which is interesting, and ties into some of his essays on race and economics. (less)
Dec 01, 2013Andrea Olson rated it really liked it
An excellent first exposure to Thomas Sowell, covering a large variety of subjects, many of them political in nature. He has a plethora of other books worth reading that go more in depth on topics such as economics or race politics.
While it might not sit well with people who staunchly support the current political 'left', try something outside your comfort zone. People who don't identify with the 'left', unlike like many 'conservative' or 'right wing' hosts of today which dissolve into shouting matches over stuff that really doesn't matter, Sowell says it like it is without yelling or name calling, instead with simple, sometimes painful, honesty. Often he doesn't just bemoan what is wrong with policies, he gives a solution as well. This world needs more "old-fashioned" folks like him. (less)
While it might not sit well with people who staunchly support the current political 'left', try something outside your comfort zone. People who don't identify with the 'left', unlike like many 'conservative' or 'right wing' hosts of today which dissolve into shouting matches over stuff that really doesn't matter, Sowell says it like it is without yelling or name calling, instead with simple, sometimes painful, honesty. Often he doesn't just bemoan what is wrong with policies, he gives a solution as well. This world needs more "old-fashioned" folks like him. (less)
Jun 08, 2019Jordan rated it it was amazing
“It is amazing how many people seem to think that government exists to turn their prejudices into laws.” ... Sowell has the remarkable ability to succinctly express truth. Sowell’s usual pattern is to take an issue, and break it down with remarkable depth and clarity. The Thomas Sowell Reader, on the other hand, briefly touches on a wide spectrum of issues, allowing the reader to get a glimpse of his thoughts in more breadth than usual.
This book is a compilation of Sowell’s columns and essays over time: social issues, economics, political issues, legal issues, race and ethnicity, educational issues, and biographical sketches.
Sowell is the greatest economist, sociologist, and philosopher of our times. Do yourself a favor and enjoy these fine works. (less)
This book is a compilation of Sowell’s columns and essays over time: social issues, economics, political issues, legal issues, race and ethnicity, educational issues, and biographical sketches.
Sowell is the greatest economist, sociologist, and philosopher of our times. Do yourself a favor and enjoy these fine works. (less)
Oct 04, 2012Danmcgohan rated it really liked it
Excellent read! The book should have been titled "Common Sence." The book would have been worth reading for just the last chapter, Random Thoughts. This book was a collection of segments from a varitey of Sowell books. I hav eread several of his other publications and the book just made me want more. (less)
Sep 08, 2017Dan Perik rated it it was amazing
Thomas Sowell has a way of addressing important and controversial areas in a simple, logical, and succinct way. This was a very interesting read on a wide variety of topics. Some chapters were short and some were long, and you can jump around easily. So this is a good book to have on hand when you only have a few minutes, or if you have a whole evening available. Highly recommended.
This isn't my normal type of book. I don't normally enjoy things that are highly political, but I do like things that make me think. And make me think, Sowell did.
I thought I'd be getting more into economics, but it turns out that Sowell has a mind for a wide variety of things from a unique standpoint. Sowell was born in the "old south" and in poverty. He gives a small account of what it was like growing up with a loving family, poverty, and narrowly escaping things that would poison his mind and heart -- like racism and abuse.
Topics that Sowell writes on in this book from his experiences and view are:
- Social issues
- Economics
- Political issues
- Legal issues
- Race and ethnicity
- Educational issues
He ends the book with a biographical sketch of himself and some random, uncompleted thoughts.
Sowell has a lot of conservative points of view, but I wonder if they aren't more "classical liberal". I'm no political expert by a long shot, so the labels are meaningless to me. Instead, I like to focus on themes and values that stood out.
The theme that stood out the most to me about this book was that if you hold someone to higher standards, remind them that they are better than a handout, that they can rise to the occasion and be a truly amazing person. He gives several pages of sources of evidence for these ideas as well.
In the end, it's a good, dense read. The chapters range from two pages to several pages, so you can read just a chapter a day. Sowell's writing is good enough, though, that you'll find it easy to breeze through a few chapters at a time without issue. That alone made it very, very enjoyable. (less)
I thought I'd be getting more into economics, but it turns out that Sowell has a mind for a wide variety of things from a unique standpoint. Sowell was born in the "old south" and in poverty. He gives a small account of what it was like growing up with a loving family, poverty, and narrowly escaping things that would poison his mind and heart -- like racism and abuse.
Topics that Sowell writes on in this book from his experiences and view are:
- Social issues
- Economics
- Political issues
- Legal issues
- Race and ethnicity
- Educational issues
He ends the book with a biographical sketch of himself and some random, uncompleted thoughts.
Sowell has a lot of conservative points of view, but I wonder if they aren't more "classical liberal". I'm no political expert by a long shot, so the labels are meaningless to me. Instead, I like to focus on themes and values that stood out.
The theme that stood out the most to me about this book was that if you hold someone to higher standards, remind them that they are better than a handout, that they can rise to the occasion and be a truly amazing person. He gives several pages of sources of evidence for these ideas as well.
In the end, it's a good, dense read. The chapters range from two pages to several pages, so you can read just a chapter a day. Sowell's writing is good enough, though, that you'll find it easy to breeze through a few chapters at a time without issue. That alone made it very, very enjoyable. (less)
May 23, 2018Ryan rated it really liked it
A good book to start with for people wanting to gain an insight or introduction in Thomas Sowell and his works. For those who have read some of his other books, there is some overlap (as is normally the case) however overall there is enough material that I hadn't seen to warrant the purchase and the score.
Some of the insights and knowledge Thomas Sowell has on a range of issues are truly refreshing and goes some lengths to get you to think anew about issues perhaps you thought resolved in your own mind. I think where this is most pronounced is on the issues of race and ethnicity as well as the interesting passages on the disparities in geography, education and crime.
One particular example that has stuck with me from the book is in a passage about American society:
" Some people think the issue is whether the glass is half empty or half full. More fundamentally, the question is whether the glass started out empty or started out full.
Those who are constantly looking for the "root causes" of poverty, of crime, and of other national and international problems act as if prosperity and law-abiding behaviour were so natural that it is their absence that has to be explained. But a casual glance around the world today, or back through history, would dispel any notion that good things just happen naturally, much less inevitable."
In particular, the first paragraph struck me as incredibly profound and applicable to many aspects of one's life and one's assessments on life. (less)
Some of the insights and knowledge Thomas Sowell has on a range of issues are truly refreshing and goes some lengths to get you to think anew about issues perhaps you thought resolved in your own mind. I think where this is most pronounced is on the issues of race and ethnicity as well as the interesting passages on the disparities in geography, education and crime.
One particular example that has stuck with me from the book is in a passage about American society:
" Some people think the issue is whether the glass is half empty or half full. More fundamentally, the question is whether the glass started out empty or started out full.
Those who are constantly looking for the "root causes" of poverty, of crime, and of other national and international problems act as if prosperity and law-abiding behaviour were so natural that it is their absence that has to be explained. But a casual glance around the world today, or back through history, would dispel any notion that good things just happen naturally, much less inevitable."
In particular, the first paragraph struck me as incredibly profound and applicable to many aspects of one's life and one's assessments on life. (less)
Nov 25, 2018Leonard rated it it was amazing
Thomas Sowell is one of my favourite scholars of all time. His witty, straight-forward, simple way of explaining things made 'The Thomas Sowell Reader' an eye opening book.
He breaks down political issues, social issues, race relations, economics and many other perspectives to the table. The main theme of the book centres around the fact that in Thomas Sowell's perspective, many social liberal policies were done with good intentions, but resulted in catastrophic consequences. By providing a diff ...more
He breaks down political issues, social issues, race relations, economics and many other perspectives to the table. The main theme of the book centres around the fact that in Thomas Sowell's perspective, many social liberal policies were done with good intentions, but resulted in catastrophic consequences. By providing a diff ...more
Recommend for the newest reader to Thomas Sowell, covers his work on Economics, Race and the Political Scene. A little to much emphasis on Intellectuals and Society, but could see why considering it is a recent book that covered a lot of the same ground as his previous works. The only excerpt that didn't work for me was the section on Geography and Racial behavior.
For my money Thoms Sowell is one of the most important thinkers certainly on the Conservative side of the aisle and although he would cause many liberals heads to explode who aren't open to his ideas I feel like many people I know on the left or center-left would do well to at least try to get through this book. It may not change your mind, but it may make you work harder to come up with better counter arguements to the conservatives point of view other then "fairness" and "social justice."
Overall, his books are well researched and reflect a thoughtfulness not seen with many writers let alone those who propose to be intellectuals.
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For my money Thoms Sowell is one of the most important thinkers certainly on the Conservative side of the aisle and although he would cause many liberals heads to explode who aren't open to his ideas I feel like many people I know on the left or center-left would do well to at least try to get through this book. It may not change your mind, but it may make you work harder to come up with better counter arguements to the conservatives point of view other then "fairness" and "social justice."
Overall, his books are well researched and reflect a thoughtfulness not seen with many writers let alone those who propose to be intellectuals.
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Aug 10, 2017Ian Ferguson rated it really liked it
Thomas Sowell’s collection of short columns and medium length essays spans a variety of social and political topics, but stretches to include even geography and the history of baseball. As an economist, Sowell lends an economic perspective to these issues by discussing how behavior is incentivized and the second and third order effects of actions that often go overlooked in more typical analysis. The result is a refreshingly concise and common-sense approach that simplifies otherwise obscured subjects. Although the reader may be saddened to realize the damage that well-intentioned government intervention has caused to the economy, race relations, and education in the modern world, she will be encouraged to learn that markets have succeeded in the past and prosperity is within reach if our society embraces individual freedom and rationality. The wisdom and humor emanated through Sowell’s writing make The Thomas Sowell Reader an enlightening and fulfilling experience. (less)
Oct 07, 2012Jim rated it really liked it
Good read. A lot of short pieces on social issues politics, economics, race, education, along with personal reflections, as well as a couple of humor pieces. Sowell is extremely blunt but not inflammatory. A free market economist, he's intent at identifying incentives and looking at physical factors. His piece on the effect of geography on regional economies is fascinating, reminiscent of Jared Diamond. In this collection, I prefer the longer pieces to the shorter magazine articles. His personal stories about growing up in North Carolina and Harlem in the 30's and 40's are also excellent. I recommend this to anyone who wants to see the positions of conservatives and classical liberals laid out without any rancor. Sowell is well worth many readings. (less)
Nov 30, 2016Rob Squires rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: economics, essays, culture-and-society, favorites, philo-of-living, blackamerican
I wish I could give this book six stars! I thoroughly appreciated every chapter of this engaging book which covered a wide diversity of topics—from economics to racism and from education to geography. With the last few chapters fresh in my mind, I'll mention that I found Dr. Sowell's treatment of world geography to be quite informative and fascinating. Likewise, his brief autobiographical sketch was a great way to wrap up the collection of essays since it provided an inside look at the author himself after learning how he views the world—which is a mark of thoughtful editing. Now that I've finally read this, I fully understand why it has changed so many lives and altered so many opinions. I've already added it to my list of favorites. (less)
Jul 25, 2018Dawn rated it it was amazing
Excellent. Should be required reading in public high schools to provide balance to the leftist agendas being taught there. Mr. Sowell speaks in a clear and concise way. Yes, he often uses sarcasm and biting wit but to me it just at a dash of cayenne to what he has to say. ;) Absolutely refreshing to have a black man be strong and unapologetic in his conservative beliefs.
I particularly enjoyed this collection of essays because it was such a wide variety of topics. It helps to show many facets of conservative thought applied to issues of today. I am looking forward to reading more of his material and also that of Walter Williams. (less)
I particularly enjoyed this collection of essays because it was such a wide variety of topics. It helps to show many facets of conservative thought applied to issues of today. I am looking forward to reading more of his material and also that of Walter Williams. (less)
Apr 17, 2019XWXH020 rated it it was amazing
A great introduction to a brilliant, practical, reflective and often bittersweet author. I particularly valued the chapters on economic equality ( the “bottom 20%” is not always the same group of people, people jump in and out of brackets for all sorts of good reasons, such as age leading to promotions), the geography of Africa (not a good system of rivers), and the micro auto biography at the end. Had to put away my phone when reading because was taking too many screenshots of passages I wanted to remember. I don’t give a lot of books 5 stars. Laughed out loud at the times he talks about “the anointed” dictating their theories “from on high.” (less)
Apr 22, 2017Al rated it it was amazing
This is a compendium of writings of the brilliant Mr. Sowell, and should be required reading for every American over the age of 16. Sowell began adult life as an economist, but morphed into political and social commentary of the highest order. This book offers a convenient introduction to his writings, and can serve to guide the reader to reading some of the dozens of books Sowell has authored over the course of his long and productive life. He is an American treasure. Highly recommended.
May 13, 2013Sandy rated it really liked it
Ordered the book because I have enjoyed Sowell's editorials. He is an economist at a time when we wonder where the economy is going. He's African American and against affirmative action. He is a professor schools should educate not entertain. He refuses to become a politician but quips in the last chapter: One of the sad signs of our times is that we have demonized those who produce, subsidized those who refuse to produce, and canonized those that complain. ...more
Oct 27, 2013Paul rated it liked it
There are quiet a few good essays on here that have well supported arguments. The essay on Marx's personal history was interesting.
What stops me from really loving this book are the stereotypical right wing defenses of Ronald Reagan, the actions of police officers and parental authority. Also calling out the "Left" and "Liberals" specifically while never looking at what the Right does (in this book at least) is rather annoying. (less)
What stops me from really loving this book are the stereotypical right wing defenses of Ronald Reagan, the actions of police officers and parental authority. Also calling out the "Left" and "Liberals" specifically while never looking at what the Right does (in this book at least) is rather annoying. (less)
Feb 07, 2021Mackenzie King rated it it was amazing
“Essential” should’ve been worked somewhere into the title. Always a quick wit and sharp pen, Sowell is easily and quickly read here. I have picked up and put down this volume many times over the past few years, which has suited its format well. There is much to be reaped from his prolific writings.
Mar 01, 2013Greg rated it it was amazing
Thomas Sowell is one of the smartest and clearest thinking man in America today. I would vote for this man for president in a heartbeat. Fascinating series of essays on a wide range of subjects. I recommend ANY book this man has written.
Apr 07, 2013Mike rated it it was amazing
Anything and everything written by Dr. Sowell is worth reading. Dr. Sowell is insighful, thought provocing, and just a great read. Every US Citizen should be reading everything written by Dr. Sowell.
Jan 08, 2016Del rated it really liked it
An engaging collection of writings and articles by one of my favorite modern supporters of the ideas of classical liberalism and human freedom. A good introduction to one of the sharpest minds of our times, in my opinion.
Enjoyable. Few writers can deliver lessons so fundamental that the mind can be altered to a different state just by reading their prose. Sowell is a perfect example of the seriousness of people with a well developed sense of humor.
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