Black Rednecks and White Liberals

By: Thomas Sowell

Narrated by: Hugh Mann

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

This explosive new audiobook challenges many of the long-held assumptions about blacks, about Jews, about Germans and Nazis, about slavery, and about education. Plainly written, powerfully reasoned, and backed with a startling array of documented facts, Black Rednecks and White Liberals takes on the trendy intellectuals of our times as well as historic interpreters of American life.

Through a series of essays, Sowell presents an in-depth look at key beliefs behind many policies and trends. He presents eye-opening insights into the development of the ghetto culture, a culture cheered on toward self-destruction by white liberals who consider themselves "friends" of blacks.

Black Rednecks and White Liberals is the capstone of decades of outstanding research and writing on racial and cultural issues by Thomas Sowell.

©2005 Thomas Sowell (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic Reviews

"These vigorously argued essays present a stimulating challenge to the conventional wisdom." (Publishers Weekly)

Great Book, Somewhat Misleading Title

Thomas Sowell's scholarly expertise does not fail to disappoint in this enlightening book. Far from rendering blanket opinions, Dr. Sowell provides the reader/listener with an exceedingly well-sourced (but not at all dry) account of the origins of so-called "African American culture".

But the best surprise is that this book goes far beyond what the title appears to imply. Sowell provides one of the must elucidating explanations of the seemingly maniacal worldwide hatred of Jews that I have ever heard. He explains the role of the "middleman minority" and how their rational economic behavior often translates into class and ethnic stereotyping and hatred.

This book is a hard one to put down, and despite its scholarly merits, does not lull the reader into unconsciousness. Indeed, Sowell's writing style (the first book of his I've ever read) is crisp, clear, engaging, and always thought provoking. A solid narrative performance is also offered by Hugh Mann.

53 of 55 people found this review helpful

Sowell An American Treasure

This book is an extraordinary example of clear, honest, and insightful thinking about people, culture, and history. Although the title would indicate that the book is entirely about some specific segments of American black culture and the white liberals who promote and seek to perpetuate such ills, it is actually broader in overall subject matter. Dr. Sowell, however, sticks close to his purpose as he ranges across time and geography, history and ideas. And his purpose is to draw a bead on the terrible damage done by the dishonesty and revisionism of self-serving and self-proclaimed moral and intellectual thinkers, teachers, demagogues, and other voices who are reported in the media. These, who Sowell sometimes refers to as the Anointed, seek to set those of us who they believe are not so blessed on the path of true moral perception and right thinking, and by their position in academia or politics have largely achieved their objective.

Thomas Sowell's ideas may be novel to many who have not looked beyond the classroom, the newspaper, or the television. If any would read this book, they will find reason and understanding supported by a world of facts, not selected facts. His presentation is clear, understandable, and easily absorbed by any people who care to think for themselves. This book is not a dry discourse or dissertation written expressly for scholars, but a lively and entertaining education. The narrator is excellent. Give it a listen.

41 of 46 people found this review helpful

I'll Never Call Anybody a Redneck Again

I've read a number of books by Thomas Sowell. This one is at least as good as any I've read. Dr. Sowell discusses a number of topics related to race and culture that need to be discussed but aren't. As always, his writing is clear, concise and flows off the page. If you read one book this year, make it this one.

22 of 25 people found this review helpful

Topics beyond the title

This book was much better than I expected, given the unusual title. He builds upon the thesis that regional differences in American culture derive from variations in immigration patterns from Britain (who, where, when) which is covered in Albion's Seed, another good book (by a different author). He then adds generations of enslaved blacks living among one of these cultures and indirectly picking up behaviour and speech patterns derived indirectly from a certain time and place in Britain. He contrasts the results where blacks were not exposed to this culture, by not being enslaved or being enslaved elsewhere.

His history of Dunbar High School in DC was inspiring or threatening, depending on whether you believe blacks were as capable of competence as other immigrants or believe they need to be treated patronizingly forever, respectively. Dr. Sowell states that lack of enrollment restrictions and the parent's occupations did not make the students the cream of the crop, as the parent's occupations were maid, porter, etc., and that one third of DC blacks were going to Dunbar HS. Hence the earier nagative review.

The real treat in the book is the massive expansion of his treatment of "middle men" minorities (e.g. Jews, Chinese, Aremenians, etc), and why they are sometimes hated and periodically slaughtered.

Despite the title, this book has world wide scope.

This was a great book.

21 of 24 people found this review helpful

Thomas Sowell is my hero

Thomas Sowell book has taught me that history is the foundation to understanding ideologies, both economic and political.

Initially, the title seemed extreme to me -- BUT right away, this book is a history lesson. When I say to friends, "Do you know where the word 'redneck' came from?", they all give the same answer I had before listening to this book.

This book is a good investment, especially if you want to understand how history has shaped some of the radical thinking of today.

15 of 17 people found this review helpful

Another great read by Sowell

Sowell makes the argument that black culture was impacted more by what he calls the red neck culture of the Southern white culture which in turn was molded by the region in The Scotland highlands the bulk of the southern whites came from. He points out the differences between southern black culture and the northern black culture before the great migration of southern blacks throughout the states as described by Wilkerson in the book "The Warmth of Other Suns". Sowell than goes on to point out liberal causes such as bussing that have done more to help blacks than help. Very thought provoking read.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

THE ANSWERS TO SOME OLD QUESTIONS

For a long time I've wondered why Mississippi's average income is the lowest in the country, way lower than the New England and West Coast states. Mississippi isn't alone. The other Southern states are only slightly better. Well, this book goes a long way to explaining why. The answer is Southern culture.

This is a black libertarian's explanation of black underachievement and a strong argument for high academic standards and expectations. Hard work doesn't hurt either.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Informative Book

Any additional comments?

I learned a great deal from this book. I feel it is one of the best books ever written about Black culture and White liberals. I like the fact Thomas Sowell backed up every narrative with facts. The book move along very quickly. I would highly recommend this book.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

The Solid Hybrid Sowell

I can not recommend Mr. Sowell's work highly enough, he is a rational treasure who has rare ability to expand the mind of any reader, regardless of political views. I've bought and enjoyed 7 of his books, but this book has a political creep. I love Mr. Sowell's more political books like Visions and Intellectuals, but this book has a Hybrid feel to it where at times he moves between is views and his other Work a little too easily for my taste. I don't mean to say this is a bad book or you shouldn't read it, in fact I did still very much enjoy it, but you should know what you are getting.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

A Great Book

Thomas Sowell has again shown that he is a think tank of our age. His wisdom and logic cannot be defeated at face, as shown by Elton's weak criticism. One can get away with demagoguery on a TV clip or sign waved in a demonstration, but lay out your argument paper simple terms it becomes obvious that Thomas Sowell's logic cannot be refuted...

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Really interesting

Interesting ideas, well researched, and clearly understood, black rednecks and white liberals offers some good arguments against the perceived wisdom that seems to drive certain political ideologies.

A couple of things to be aware of:
- Sowell tends to write in essay format which is fine but it does mean that sometimes the overall book lacks structure. Additionally, chapters often rehash the same ground as early ones, often even reusing examples.
- the narrator is good and clear but talks rather slowly. You might want to consider listening on double speed.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Excellent book

Superb and entertaining book. The reading voice is somehow monotonous but you forget about it when the subject is so interesting. It is great to see somebody against the politically correct tide.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Truly thought provoking

Even if you disagree with the author, there is enough here to want to go out and find out more.
Tom Sowell raises points that need to part of a wider conversation.

A comprehensive history of slavery and more...

Thank you, Thomas Sowell, and Hugh Mann. Loved this book. Sowell tells it straight with no axe to grind. Make no mistake, this is facinating and yet still an education. I wish I had read this book years ago. Mann's narration has a warmth to it that pulled me in from the start. Nothing in this made me feel I wanted to skip to the next chapter and I know I will definitely be revisiting this audio book again in the near future.

Wow! Every page an eye opener.

Enlightening work from beginning to end. Fascinating insights into history backed up by well researched statistical evidence.

Expertly narrated capturing the mood of the information being conveyed.

Incredible, insightful, life changing

Amazing. This shifts thoughts and prejudice. A must read for all ages. Inspiring words from a true scholar.

wordy but a broad look at culture

An interesting view into what can drive groups to perform the way they do without the convenience of victim labels.

A must listen

This book bringings clarity to a deliberately obfuscated subject; the national and cultural identity of the US.

Thomas Sowell lays out, both clearly and candidly, the cultural chronology of the US peoples and where they came from. He takes particular attention to the fallacies of identity politics.

Excellently writen and skillfully narrated, I highly recommend this audiobook as a must listen.

Outspoken Truth

Brilliant exposure of the truth that liberals and blacks refuse to admit. A must read for any scholar wishing to understand this subject.

wow!

This makes you see the world in a different way and is a good starting point in being able to think for yourself rather than what is said by politicians or journalists. One peice of advice, take it with a pitch of salt. It's a well written and thought out book but with everything there will be an agenda for good or bad which results in not the whole story being told.