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)

Rethink your feelings on Black Culture

After reading this book I will rethink my ideals on black culture. I never really agree with the way African Americans gravitated to the notion that you were not really black unless you subscribed to hip-hop culture or dressed like a hoodlum. if you did not speak in slang or use proper English you were considered a sellout or you wanted to be white. this book breaks down the idea of wanting to be white and where it came from. The fact that our ignorant slang speaks and somewhat attitudes and not just holy hours but have transcended different cultures in generations for years is a surprise. after this book, I am more comfortable in my ideas of not wanting to assimilate to hip-hop culture or be like the others they call me whitewashed. I will push through my success I will make sure I am not falling into the black redneck or the liberal white mentality.

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.

A Fascinating Rebuttal To Common Race Teachings

My first book from Sowell and won't be my last. Sowell focuses on a number of topics regarding race relations between the majority and minorities around the world from Blacks in America to Jews to Germans after World War Two. Each one adding new information that I was never told in school, often because it does not fit the narrative commonly held on how race relations have occured and how they influence today. Sowell provides a different take on these events and thus a different stance on what policies and actions would improve current race related issues today. Fascinating read.

Reshaped my view of race and race relations in U.S

Sowell reached back into history to find the origins of race and class struggles across the globe. Americans will be surprised to learn that many of their prejudices towards blacks were first targeted towards whites in the British Isles.

A racist apology

I start this book thinking that it would provide interesting cultural insights. The first few chapters are good but then Sowell uses the historical facts of the first few chapters in order to make a racist political interpretation of history. Sowell posits that negative treatment of black Americans derives not from racism but what he characterizes as negative cultural attributes inherited by black slaves from uncivilized Irish and Scottish colonizers.

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.

A very slanted perspective

Although he makes a few good points, his sweeinging generalizations, emotionally charged language and the intentional bias reflected in the enormous amount of information omitted make this a poor choice for anyone seeking to better understand our history.

Who hurt you?

It’s just a southern hating book saying we are all lazy, stupid and not good people. There is no actual facts in this book. I assume the writer was wronged by a southerner at some point and wrote a book hating on all of us.

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.

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.

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.

An insightful and in depth analysis.

This should be required reading for all American and British teenagers. The fallacy of western guilt and the misreading of the history of slavery are addressed in suitable detail within and are as relevant in 2020 as they were in 2005.

Surface Level history, without circumstances

Initially I thought this book was good, first few chapters, but the more you got into, you realised how he used some surface Level statistics to come to his conclusion without actually reading the actual facts or condition when summarising his conclusion. Good thing I have read some historical books that details some of the names/culture/country that he mentioned to know his statistics doesn't reflect the actual events.

Also I find some parts where he is constantly repeating the same thing, perhaps he is trying to drum in his opinion.

Parts of the chapter also reads more like an essay and sometimes fit the actual context of the book.

Review

Giving a wider perspective in regards to the history of slavery giving food for thought.

5/5

This is a truly exceptional and eye-opening book. Every leftist and left-leaning person should read this - I've no doubt it would shake their core beliefs at the very least.

Outstandingly honest.

An expose that is shocking as it is instinctively accurate....and a warning against liberal group think not a moment too soon.
I particularly enjoyed the middlemen chapter.

Incredible. A rare message of unity, using history as a guide.

This is a gem which should be required reading at colleges & universities.

Dr. Thomas Sowell explains how, for long periods of history at a time, every single race, continent, & people has been oppressors or oppressed, knowledgeable or uneducated, successful or unsuccessful at one time or another.

His summarises with a powerful message of unity, and of freedom & co-operation between everybody, in order to live in a caring, happy, abundant & thriving society.

Politicians, opportunists, and those seeking power over others will continue to keep this book out of the public eye for as long as possible.

Relieve your white guilt much?!

Factual, engaging and educational to a point….However you must remember that this body of work is Sowells opinion and I feel comes from a right leaning capitalist… i.e. American view point. There are many points that I felt that the book was pandering to ease white guilt and playing down the impact and reality of white supremacy and the legacy and harm that has been and continues to impact other ethnic groups. The minimising and playing down of the responsibility that white Americans have had on the experience of Black people is laughable and could actually be quite harmful information in racist hands. That said it’s is always good to hear another perspective…However I believe you need to be very impartial yourself to truly get the most out of this book.

I Highly recommend

This book dispels the contemporary popular blame culture with well crafted in depth arguments. I was hooked from chapter one, it was broad in nature while simultaneously focused.

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.