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  • Intellectuals and Race

  • Written by: Thomas Sowell
  • Narrated by: Robertson Dean
  • Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (89 ratings)

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Intellectuals and Race

Written by: Thomas Sowell
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
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Publisher's Summary

Intellectuals and Race is a radical book in the original sense - one that goes to the root of the problem. The role of intellectuals in racial strife is explored in an international context that puts the American experience in a wholly new light.

Intellectuals have played a major role in racial issues throughout the centuries. Though their individual views may differ, as a whole their views tend to group, and just over the course of the twentieth century, they have shifted from one end of the spectrum to the other. Surprisingly, these radically different views of race were held by intellectuals whose views on other issues were often very similar.

Intellectuals and Race is not, however, a book about history, even though it has much historical evidence, as well as demographic, geographic, and economic evidence - all of it directed toward testing the underlying assumptions about race that have prevailed at times among intellectuals in general, and especially at their highest levels.

Nor is this simply a theoretical exercise. Sowell’s ultimate concern is the impact of intellectual movements on the larger society, both past and present. These ideas and crusades have ranged widely from racial theories of intelligence to eugenics to “social justice” and multiculturalism.

In addition to in-depth examinations of these and other issues, Intellectuals and Race explores the incentives, the visions, and the rationales that drive intellectuals at the highest levels to conclusions that have often turned out to be counterproductive and even disastrous, not only for particular racial or ethnic groups but for societies as a whole.

©2013 Thomas Sowell (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What the critics say

"Sowell brings an all-too-rare perspective to whatever he writes about - that of a conservative black intellectual, especially valuable for this book’s topic." ( Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

What listeners say about Intellectuals and Race

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Essential Reading

Excellent, rational, well referenced exploration of ideological views and empirical evidence. highly recommended for anyone trying to engage in the discussion of race in our culture.

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great book

I enjoyed this book, I've only seen Mr Sowell on YouTube and found his views to be intriguing. Hearing a full lenght version made me think of other possibilities and disproves what appears to be long held biases

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tight

truly amazing. Well researched, clean delivery looking forward to the next one Thomas Sowell!

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Rigorous and mind-changing

Sowell cannot be said to be a prosaic or particularly stimulating author, but he deserves credit for providing example after example of the point he is trying to make, which ultimately amounts to a comprehensive analysis which any thinking and empirically-minded person cannot help but be convinced by. Intellectuals deserve credit only insofar as they have provided input in the narrow range of expertise from which they have good evidence and which engages with the real world rather than arm-chair philosophy. When they make claims without evidence or beyond their expertise, especially on ideas with wide-ranging social and economic implications, they deserve as much credit as any other person making the same claim who doesn’t have the luxury of a public platform—which is to say very little

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Well worth considering

A very interesting experience listening to this. I have no horse in the race, and yet I am interested in conversations held at the track. You may find equal interest.

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Concise and Clear Empiricism for the Average Joe

Compelling argument with stunning evidence clearly presented for the masses to understand. 10/10, highly recommend.

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