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
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Editorial Reviews
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''Engaging and accessible . . . Sowell's careful explicating of and grappling with issues allow his thoughts to be clearly exhibited, understood, and welcomed. Even leftist thinkers will appreciate Sowell's personal charm and intellectual rigor.'' --Publishers Weekly
''A solid, representative collection by a writer and thinker whom one either agrees with or not--and there's not much middle ground on which to stand.'' --Kirkus Reviews --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.
''A solid, representative collection by a writer and thinker whom one either agrees with or not--and there's not much middle ground on which to stand.'' --Kirkus Reviews --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.
About the Author
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 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
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.
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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
117 of 121 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The republication of these short essays is useful mainly because it is timely. Thomas Sowell has a talent for applying the `unintended consequences/spontaneous order' line of economic reasoning to real economic events. There are several important lessons in these essays. Markets work in ways that are subtle- enough so that people often underestimate the connection between market competition and public welfare. The costs and consequences of government intervention are also subtle and often unseen by many. Finally, the concept of Social Justice has no real meaning. As Hayek put it decades ago, social justice is a dishonest insinuation that one ought to agree to the demand of some special interest which can give no reason for it. These ideas are not entirely new. Frederic Bastiat and, of course, Hayek, imparted these lessons to past generations. However, the recent resurgence of belief in government intervention or planning means that these lessons need to be relearned. Sowell's reader presents these concepts in an easily understood and topical fashion. Well done!
91 of 94 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Brilliant people understand and use very difficult concepts, while geniuses are that small group who can also explain those ideas simply enough for most others to understand them. Thomas Sowell, with his crystalline intelligence and erudite yet demystifying writing, is such a genius.
This book is a compendium of his works ranging over decades, yet so insightful and important are his thoughts that it is almost impossible to date them- their pertinence is literally timeless.
Ranging over politics, education, legal theory, race and other categories, Sowell brilliantly analyzes a broad spectrum of topics including the reason homeruns increased in the 1920's, the effects of affirmative action across the globe , Marx's life and personality, and the effects of geography on culture and economic development, always bringing to bear that ability to undermine commonly accepted assumptions with facts and logic.
As anyone who is familiar with Sowell knows, he is a Black Conservative philosopher whose main preoccupation is subjecting the thoughts and actions of those he calls the anointed, Progressive politicians and intellectuals, to the light of reality and commonsense, and in the process decimating their arguments while also demonstrating how dangerous they are. Given the partisan political environment today, this exegesis of so much of what is accepted as axiomatic fact is an invaluable guide for those who find themselves grasping to really understand and weigh the political and social aspirations and effects of the Left.
And therein lie the limits of the popularity of this book. For a Conservative or anyone who values the collective intelligence and experience that is institutionalized in the free market and cultural entities like the family and religions, or anyone with an open mind willing to be guided by one of the great thinkers of our times in navigating the treacherous maze that political and cultural discourse has become, this book is a delight and invaluable.
For Progressives and their intellectual allies this book will be anathema, something to be mocked and burned as a heresy.
You must decide who you are. For those who eagerly open this book to be enlightened or just comforted, you will find all your expectations more than fulfilled.
This book is a compendium of his works ranging over decades, yet so insightful and important are his thoughts that it is almost impossible to date them- their pertinence is literally timeless.
Ranging over politics, education, legal theory, race and other categories, Sowell brilliantly analyzes a broad spectrum of topics including the reason homeruns increased in the 1920's, the effects of affirmative action across the globe , Marx's life and personality, and the effects of geography on culture and economic development, always bringing to bear that ability to undermine commonly accepted assumptions with facts and logic.
As anyone who is familiar with Sowell knows, he is a Black Conservative philosopher whose main preoccupation is subjecting the thoughts and actions of those he calls the anointed, Progressive politicians and intellectuals, to the light of reality and commonsense, and in the process decimating their arguments while also demonstrating how dangerous they are. Given the partisan political environment today, this exegesis of so much of what is accepted as axiomatic fact is an invaluable guide for those who find themselves grasping to really understand and weigh the political and social aspirations and effects of the Left.
And therein lie the limits of the popularity of this book. For a Conservative or anyone who values the collective intelligence and experience that is institutionalized in the free market and cultural entities like the family and religions, or anyone with an open mind willing to be guided by one of the great thinkers of our times in navigating the treacherous maze that political and cultural discourse has become, this book is a delight and invaluable.
For Progressives and their intellectual allies this book will be anathema, something to be mocked and burned as a heresy.
You must decide who you are. For those who eagerly open this book to be enlightened or just comforted, you will find all your expectations more than fulfilled.
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Thomas Sowell ReaderDr. Sowell doesn't suffer from tunnel vision. Nor does he spew venom. What he does is make an educated summary of a topic and then produce unending evidence and backup for his conclusions. I remember in college reading some of his works and having professors rave about his ability. Some thirty years later my boss's daughter is reading him in her AP high school class and telling him that his books are enjoyable, accessible and educational.
Milton Friedman was proud of Dr. Sowell and Dr. Sowell has done his best to carry on a great tradition of extraordinary insight and accessible teaching.
He is too old to run for president and he wouldn't touch D.C. with a ten foot pole, but if any of our last 4 presidents had followed his advice we'd not be grappling with a downturn that has not just put us,but the entire globe in peril.
I have some hope that by word of mouth young people, bored with the transparently liberal drivel shoved at them, will find Dr. Sowell and come to realize that they've been sold out by the last three generations and will have a fight not much easier than our founding fathers if they want to reclaim America.
Milton Friedman was proud of Dr. Sowell and Dr. Sowell has done his best to carry on a great tradition of extraordinary insight and accessible teaching.
He is too old to run for president and he wouldn't touch D.C. with a ten foot pole, but if any of our last 4 presidents had followed his advice we'd not be grappling with a downturn that has not just put us,but the entire globe in peril.
I have some hope that by word of mouth young people, bored with the transparently liberal drivel shoved at them, will find Dr. Sowell and come to realize that they've been sold out by the last three generations and will have a fight not much easier than our founding fathers if they want to reclaim America.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Thomas Sowell Reader by Thomas Sowell
I don't think many of our political leaders have read this man. He hits very close to the reality of a lot of current 'issues' that are being exploited to the detriment of our... Read more
Published 2 days ago by beakyou
A worthy anthology of one of America's finest social thinkers
This anthology of Professor Sowell's writings underlines the amazing breadth of his work. Although primarily an economist, the essays are also biographical, autobiographical,... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Slavophile
Less than one star
Thomas Sowell is an uneducated person's idea of a smart man. His goals, as far as I can tell, are to get lower middle class whites to vote against their economic self interests.
Published 17 days ago by jimbiz
Love It
Thomas Sowell is a blessing to our society. He is an inspiration especially in these dark times our country is in.
Published 1 month ago by Rilee
Sowell's Greatest Hits
If you haven't read all of Sowell's books already reading this one will make you want to. This is a great introduction to the works of one of the best thinkers and writers of our... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jonathan Doyon
Like the short-essay format
I enjoy Thomas Sowell's writings and ideas. The short-essay format allows me to pick the book up at any time and enjoy thought-provoking concepts.
Published 2 months ago by Broomfield, CO
ANOTHER SOWELL BOOK WORTH THE PRICE.
I PURCHASED THIS BOOK, HAVING READ MANY OF DR. SOWELL'S PRIOR BOOKS, AND I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED. I FEEL IT IS MORE THAN WORTH THE PRICE PAID. Read more
Published 2 months ago by F. C. RYAN
Nuggets of Wisdom
Thomas Sowell is one of the greatest American thinkers of our time. This book is a compilation of excerpts from his books, essays, and newspaper columns covering a wide range of... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Steve McCullough
Thomas Sowell
[[ASIN:0465022502 The Thomas Sowell ReaderThe book "The Thomas Sowell Reader" is easy reading and to the point. As usual, all his books I have gotten through Amazon are great. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Illah M. Pratt
Great collection of articles
I had previously enjoyed Sowell's economics books, so I was happy to received this title as an audio book for Christmas. Read more
Published 3 months ago by John Carmack
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Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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