The Thomas Sowell Reader

Great publication of some wisdom from a great American author and thinker

Brilliant man. His commentary is intelligent and his approach to understanding the history and the complexity of race relations in our country is unique, solid, and rings true. This book will change the way you watch the news on television. My goodness! How easy it is to manipulate the masses.

I found it randomly in the library of Anderson University, and shortly after bought my own copy. Each chapter is a short article on some hot topic from a conservative viewpoint. I love the format, and I love the author, it’s nice to know that common sense’s not dead! I read this with my teens the short article format is perfect for it, and we discuss it, great way to introduce and discuss and laid the foundation for the young people, or anyone really!

A great book for a liberal to read... Living in a town full of mainly liberals, this book and it's brilliant author, are relatively unknown. This man, once a former marxist in his earlier years, had become one of the brightest intellectuals in America. How can he be ignored in such a town, full of "intellectuals?" Since I am exposed to liberal views, liberal ideas and liberal rhetoric EVERYDAY, I will tell you this book a wiff of fresh air. His views are fairly biased but coming from what a lot of liberals discuss about economics, he is spot on with them. All of his facts can be verified from the back of the book... Well, his views which a great deal are crammed tightly into this book. If you have read his Basic Economics textbook, this will be nice supplement! There is a bias to the book. It's Thomas Sowell! Although he can be biased, he makes a note of the opposing argument which is nice. Keep in mind that Dr. Sowell chooses to let his intellectual cannon shoot down anybody.....left or right. Even in his Housing Boom and Bust he tore after a great deal of Republicans (but mostly democrats). As a moderate conservative, he argues his points nicely and gives you a great perspective of a myriad of issues we still face today in America. For the love of (insert your favorite Deity here), tell your friends and family about this man and his books! Unfortunately, many Democratic and Republicans follow Keynesian style economic policies and it's wrecking our economy. I hope this man and his brilliant work and scholarship will bring a new chapter into American society. Oh, and he's a Marine!

Thomas Sowell is such an amazing man. The world would be a better place if governments really listened to people like him. He is not just a voice of common sense in a crazy world, but he has really done his homework and he knows the statistics inside and out. The chapter that touched me more was the one where he tells his story as a student of how he came to realize that you should think many steps ahead of the policy you are supporting. There are many bright minds in the world but very few recognise, especially in public, that what they first though was wrong. Thomas Sowell is one of those few men that have the courage to face reality instead of cowering away, and that is exactly what makes you a better person so you can move ahead and improve yourself. His story is also very touching: a poor orphan boy from Harlem getting an educations and climbing to the top of the intellectual world. You cannot help but to admire this man.

Good read from Thomas Sowell. Everyone should read his books.

This is a life's work masterpiece. As the author says himself in the preface his purpose it not to change your mind but to eliminate misunderstandings. Since all facts are friendly, Thomas tries hard to show that there are more than one side to every national issue. His relentless pursuit of empirical evidence to substantiate the continued spending of taxpayer (our) money, is refreshing. The author has gone to great lengths in nearly every subject matter to NOT give you his personal opinion, although it may seem obvious by the preponderance of his evidence. He is skeptical of vague definitions and implores constituents to demand accountability, not only in government but to life in general. As other reviews have indicated, the book is written in short essays which make it very easy to digest and easy to skip around to topics of interest without loss of continuity. There are so many observations and world lessons in the book that you will want to keep it in reach for future reference. Whether you love it or hate it, I think that all of the information presented NEEDS to be considered in light of all of the recent world events. If you keep your mind open, you will recommend this book to someone when you are finished. Well done!

Excellent with Thomas Sowell's opinions on a wide range of subjects

Thomas Sowell speaks of subjects where an consensus has been accepted and gives reasons to overturn the consensus. This is enormously valuable in an age where many people claim to have arrived at a position of consensus, but careful examination of the facts turns everything upside down. My view of the internet is that never in the history of mankind has so much information been so freely available, with perhaps a majority of it being wrong. Even the definitions provided by standard dictionaries need to be thought about rathered than accepted, and urban dictionaries usually contain a varying mixture of ignorance and lies. Wikipedia entries on the properties of batteries can generally be relied on, but there is so much else that does not stand up to close attention. Hence Thomas Sowell writes in an excellent tradition of 'check everything' and don't assume that even the conclusions you thought you had held for 50 years are correct. I enjoy his material so much. Thank you Sir!

Um livro que pode ser uma introdução ao pensamento de Thomas Sowell pois apresenta vários escritos divididos por assuntos, como, por exemplo, a educação. O que é uma falha da obra, no entanto, é não haver a menção da data em que os ensaios foram escritos. Ótima leitura digna de reflexão a cada página.

Each of Sowell's essays are worth reading and re-reading.

Man lernt vieles über die USA, über den sozialen Werdegang der vergangenen Jahrzehnte, und man versteht heutige Reaktionen der Politik etwas besser.

Is it conservative thought? Many times yes Is it common sense? Many times yes Is it what many people are afraid to hear? Yes to that too. At a time when many feel the world is broken Thomas Sowell in his writings and thoughts helps to repair the damage. New isn't always better. Thinking its right isn't always the case Its time to stop shouting and listen to one of the best Thomas Sowell