• Ethnic America

  • By: Thomas Sowell
  • Narrated by: James Bundy
  • Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (494 ratings)

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Ethnic America

By: Thomas Sowell
Narrated by: James Bundy
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Publisher's summary

Thomas Sowell provides us with a useful and concise record tracing the history of nine ethnic groups: Irish, Germans, Jews, Italians, Chinese, Japanese, Blacks, Puerto Ricans, and Mexicans.

He offers perspective-building facts, such as the fact that there are more people of Irish ancestry in the United States than in Ireland and more Jews than in Israel. He explains each ethnic group's varied experiences in adapting to American society.

©1981 Basic Books, Inc. (P)1989 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"[This] should be required reading for anyone interested in policy questions involving race and ethnicity." (New Republic)
"Ethnic America is at once useful as a concise history of major ethnic groups and significant as a quiet but powerful attack on liberal beliefs about minorities, racism, segregation, and affirmative action." (The New York Times Book Review)

What listeners say about Ethnic America

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Understanding the ethnic tapestry of America

This is a fantastic book for understanding the histories of ethnic groups in America, and understanding how those histories tie into the history of America as a whole. This book isn’t political or decisive, but simply a record of complex histories of complex people.

I highly recommend this book (or any Thomas Sowell book) to anyone who wants to expand their understanding of America, and the world.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I love everything Dr Sowell pens!!

Dr Sowell weaves a tale of America we all know exists but, in this work, Sowell lays out the storyboard of ethnic America with facts and details of this nation's history making it come alive in an extraordinary way. This text, to me, is a socioeconomic study of America much like a chef examines a recipe for a new dish with careful dissection of each ingredient pondering it's flavorful impact. Is America a melting pot after all?

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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent in-depth analysis

Sowell presents a masterful and in-depth analysis that is unrivaled. It is an exhausting and yet refreshing approach to identifying the distinctions among ethnic groups. This is necessary for anyone truly interested in helping our world blaze a path forward, a path paved with proven solutions to ethnic tension. All other analyses seem shallow in comparison, and run the risk of offering "solutions" that actually move is further from our common goal rather than closer.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Somewhat dated with base 1970 Census

Interesting but as this was written 1989 is would have been better if base reference was the 1980 census as opposed to 1970 census. This skews the info for the sections which are The "Group" Today.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Super interesting and informative book!

Thomas Sowell is my favorite author. His writings clearly convey his points, using data.
In this book, I am fascinated with how very different Ethnic groups in America were both similar and different. How choices certain Ethnic groups made (one example: to stay in America or eventually go back to their country) made a difference on how well the Ethnic group did financially, etc.
Another interesting thing is comparing how IQs have changed dramatically from when an Ethnic group arrived in America to the next generation(s). For example, a certain Jewish group came from a certain area with lower IQs. Within a generation, their IQs increased and exceeded others.
The audio reader was very good.
Highly recommended!

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Sowell, always amazing

as to be expected from his studies of statistics and humanity and diversity in America

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Perspective

Well rounded details on ethnic groups that have become American. Was everything I was hoping it to be.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Monumental achievement

Rooted in facts, logical, brilliant. A major work of history.and a monumental achievement. Highly recommended to those seeking a better understanding of the world's people and Americz.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I learned a lot

I learned a lot about America. How most of the newcomers struggled for a while and if they worked hard it paid back in a couple of generations.

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  • LJ
  • 01-30-24

Wish I read it 10 years earlier

I wish I read this book before I moved to US, and this classic book still remains its value over time and becoming relevant even recently.

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