Customer Reviews

Thicker Than Blood: How Racial Statistics Lie

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Contrary to what most people would expect, "Thicker than Blood" delves into how statistics in themselves are "facts" but may be misleading depending on the theory of society that those facts are gleaned from. In his book, Tukufu shows how notable people can come to polar opposite conclusions from the same data, revealing one's own agenda and ideologies. To see how racial statistics lie, we must examine the social context in which they arise.

I read this book after having read "Damned Lies and Statistics", hoping to gain a deeper appreciation of the manipulation of statistics in the everyday world. This book disappointed me from the onset. The author delves into a long diatribe about the history of eugenics. While I found this interesting, I felt it consumed too much of the book. Part of his title, ".....How Racial Statistics Lie", is never even touched on. He does not give one example of a 'racial statistic that lies'. This should have been a mystery book because you are always waiting for the chapter that is going to reveal what you are looking for. That chapter never arises in this book. I thought the author would give a plethora of racial statistics and in turn break down each one, showing the falsity in each. That never happens here.

To be fair the author does list almost 400 references, which is very impressive. He has done his research and appears to be very well-read on the subject. This book is not for the everyday person to just pick up and learn ".....How Racial Statistics Lie". This book should be targeted towards those with a degree in social sciences. I felt confused due to the lack of explanations of some of the terminology.

Overall, this book is not terrible, but it is not what the title implies. Less theory and more examples would have made this much more readable for the casual, interested reader.

"Thicker Than Blood" is an outstanding book that all serious students of race must engage. Zuberi at once pinpoints the conceptual failure of most social scientists who analyze "racial statistics" and makes the compelling case for a historically and theoretically grounded discussion of race. In an era when too many people--including within the academy-are fearful of discussing race, Zuberi lights a path to a sound social science of race.

Great book. Challenges both the logic and practice of racial statistics by scholars and policy makers. From slavery and nazi germany to current debates on racial classification.

Good book. Had to get it for an class. Okay read if you are interested in this field a very clear and condensed history and explaination. Easy to follow and understand

It is a plesure to see an American scholar leading the charge to shift the ethnocentric base of social science. The volume is truely revolutionary. The scholar takes on both the theorist and methodologist in a way that is quite unique. If you believe that researchers have an impact on what they do then you must read this book. If you think you understand race, then you must read this book. I found myself connecting things I thought I understood in new ways. If you are looking for an easy read then go elsewhere. This book is for those that want to think.

I knew after reading the overview, I would completly disagree with this book. I find it hard to belive that the author really thinks that blacks are the only race overviewed for statistics. Its not a coincidence when statistics show that a particular race may lean towards the less desiarable end on any matter. Whites, Hispanics, Asians, ect are all overviewed. It disgusts me when I hear more and more excuses for the way people can act or live. If the rape rate or murder rate for african american males is higher than with any other race, it is automatically ludacrist just because they're black, well I find THAT ludacrist. Instead of getting angry because the truth is exposed for everyone to see, mabye the right action would be to try and change what a person could, but I doubt that will ever happen.