Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays

by Thomas Sowell

Book Overview

These wide-ranging essays -- on many individual political, economic, cultural and legal issues -- have as a recurring, underlying theme the decline of the values and institutions that have sustained and advanced American society for more than two centuries. This decline has been more than an erosion. It has, in many cases, been a deliberate dismantling of American values and institutions by people convinced that their superior wisdom and virtue must...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465022510
• ISBN13: 9780465022519
• Release Date: August 2010
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.6" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Excellent...a gem on every page

A wonderful collection of essays that clearly demonstrate why acclaimed economist Thomas Sowell is also one of the foremost philosophers of our time. Sowell writes with a clarity of thought and precision of language seldom seen or appreciated these days and his wry humor and insightful observations reveal the truth and depths of the difficult issues he covers. No hyperbole, no cant, no preconceived or superficial notions. His work, as always, gently exposes such mental laziness and the excuses that prop it up. This book is five-star dining for the brain: Sowell skillfully crafts a refreshing, stimulating, satisfying, surprising and delightful experience not soon forgotten.

Fantastic

Sowell's ability to explain things clearly and logically will cause many people to rethink their positions on many societal issues. He is a brilliant guy, this book is a must for rethinking social issues. Anything by him is a great read.....

OUTSTANDING BOOK

I believe Thomas Sowell is the best current OP-ED writer. His columns are consistently outstanding. As a black man and one who grew up in Harlem, he can make some of the candid comments needed on race without the "racist" protests from Yo-Yos like Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton. His sage economic and political observations are excellent. I have several of his books, and am now "gifting" them to my children and grandchildren.

Excellent

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.

As expected for a book of columns

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.