Ethnic America

By: Thomas Sowell

Narrated by: James Bundy

Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins

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.

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)

excellent survey

very good review of how we all came to be here in the USA. realistic census information, somewhat dated, support the facts.

Good for history, otherwise out of date

This book is now 40 years old. Although the historical data is excellent for the most part, so much has changed in the field of cultural studies within the past 40 years as to make this book out of touch with current terminology, philosophy, and statistics.

Sowell is Amazing!

Thomas Sowell is one of the greatest economists of all time! He is consistent and he does his homework.

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.

Fascinating insight into the fabric we call America

My only wish is that there was a Sowell "Book 2" with current information. Yet, the book did not disappoint . It gave me great insight into why some cultures are the way they are still today - with slight differences. I enjoyed learning about my own ethnic heritage (from multiple counties). Another takeaway was that no ethnicity has the right to hold themselves up as "most oppressed" - all these groups discussed had their struggles, obstacles, heartaches, trials and injustices.
All the more reason for us to be kind, accepting, and unified as Americans today and always .

Now dated, but still very instructive.

Sowell's style of letting the data speak for itself, over and over again puts the lie to the claim that racial prejudice or stereotyping accounts for the advancement of stagnation of any of America's many ethnic groups. At thirty years old, this book should be required reading in high schools and colleges across the country.

Good book for learning racial facts not hype

The facts written in this book are as pertinent today as ever. Interesting to get a general understanding of racial differences and similarities, based on their histories and assimilation into America as a whole.

Gotta love Sowell

Extremely enlightening. Great presentation of the facts and reasoned argument. Clear headed discussion on ethnic integration into the US.

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.

Thomas Sowell is a national treasure

Although this book could be revised with updated data, it is still an excellent reference for understanding the interesting histories and realities of Americans.