Controversial Essays (HOOVER INST PRESS PUBLICATION) [Paperback]

Thomas Sowell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0817929924 | ISBN-13: 978-0817929923 | Publication Date: September 16, 2002

One of conservatism's most articulate voices dissects today's most important economic, racial, political, education, legal, and social issues, sharing his entertaining and thought-provoking insights on a wide range of contentious subjects.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book contains an abundance of wisdom on a large number of economic issues." --Mises Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 321 pages
• Publisher: Hoover Institution Press (September 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817929924
• ISBN-13: 978-0817929923
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,065,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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 in such popular media as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes magazine and Fortune, and writes a syndicated column that appears in newspapers across the country.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As expected for a book of columns, April 26, 2003

By 

T. Burket "tburket" (Potomac, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Controversial Essays (HOOVER INST PRESS PUBLICATION) (Paperback)

The book is a collection of columns, which barely qualifies as a book of "essays", which I normally consider lengthier and more complex. I have read many of Sowell's books and was quite familiar with his ideas, but had never seen most of these columns. Thus, I wanted to see his thoughts on various topics of recent years. No real surprises there, and he demonstrates the ability to pack a punch in a column.

The columns are organized into six parts: Economic, Racial, Political, Educational, Legal, and Social. My favorites tend to be on his core subjects of economics and race, especially those positions with libertarian orientation instead of straight conservatism. Familiar topics, such as affirmative action, slavery, and heavy-handed government, are all here. The author is also ready to take on hypocrites with little prompting.

I recommend the columns as an introduction to and summary of the ideas and breadth of Mr. Sowell. Personally, I actually prefer his books, where the scholarship has more opportunity to shine.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, But Thomas Sowell Has Done Even Better, December 9, 2003

By 

Terry Godat (Mission Viejo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Controversial Essays (HOOVER INST PRESS PUBLICATION) (Paperback)

The only drawback to a collection of newspaper columns like the present volume is that, as is usually the case with good writers, the quality of their writing is not quite as high as it is in their other books. Having said that, I must say this book is still good enough.

I think the best article is "Another Outrage," detailing Bill Clinton's unpatriotic speech at Georgetown University in the wake of the events of 9/11/01. Like Sowell, I am sick and tired of people who think present-day Americans are "paying the price" for having owned slaves and killed Indians. Those who think America is the cause of all the world's problems find kindred spirits in Bill and Hillary. Thomas Sowell isn't fooled.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, October 1, 2003

By 

M. Wilson "Cap3000" (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Controversial Essays (HOOVER INST PRESS PUBLICATION) (Paperback)

I highly recommend anyone interested in politics pick up this nice collection of editorials, along with a few other Sowell books. "Vision of the Annointed" is classic, and a true nightmare to leftist elites. Walter Williams also has some excellent books similar to this one.