The Lies That Bind

Rethinking Identity

By: Kwame Anthony Appiah

Narrated by: Kwame Anthony Appiah

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

We all know how identities - notably, those of nationality, class, culture, race, and religion - are at the root of global conflict, but the more elusive truth is that these identities are created by conflict in the first place.

In provocative, entertaining chapters, Kwame Anthony Appiah interweaves keen-edged argument with engrossing historical tales - from Anton Wilhelm Amo, the 18th-century African child who became an eminent European academic, to Italo Svevo, the literary genius who changed countries without leaving home - and reveals the tangled contradictions within the stories that define us. The concept of the sovereign nation, Appiah tells us, is incoherent. Our everyday notions of race are the detritus of discarded science; the very idea of Western culture is a shimmering mirage. These beliefs, and more, are crafted from confusions - confusions Appiah sorts through to imagine a more hopeful future.

©2018 Kwame Anthony Appiah (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"The author narrates his own work and does a terrific job. His reassuring, playful voice, tinged with a British accent, is immediately friendly and knowledgeable....overall, Appiah can count himself a double-threat." (AudioFile)

Identity Politics Demystified

The investments that leaders of various stripes and creeds have made in exacerbating the natural human tendency towards essentialist identities are beautifully repudiated here, suggesting that the reader, now understanding origins, can be set free, to restate and celebrate what brings them joy, to curb (with a wit and humor which may be like the author’s but will nevertheless be their own and a source of happy pride), the obfuscation, the hate, that have spoiled our capacity both to own and to own up. Delightful.

wonderful listen

ideas explained well.
Etymology of various commonly used terms was clearly explained.
worth listening a few times to get in all the names

Different perspectives

Including class as an identity group was helpful since it is commonly left out. It seems to be an overlay to all of the major identity groups.

Mind blown!

This is my new favorite book. It should be required reading for anyone who thinks of themselves as a member of the human race. It's a nice touch that the author reads the book since his own personal identity is the starting point for the book's exploration. And although the work has real academic credibility, it's also totally accessible and down to Earth.

I can't recommend this enough. Buy it!

Not full of SJW nonsense

I was skeptical at first. The last thing I need is to listen to some SJW drone on about micro-agressions and intersectionality. The book does contain a robust discussion of intersectionality, without the meaningless word salad that usually accompanies such piffle.

I was also quite irritated, at first, at the idea that "western culture" isn't really a thing. It sounds a bit like the racist trope of "white people have no culture", which often follows the laughable claim the people of color cannot be racist. However, he eventually gets to his actual point, that "western culture" is actually a fairly new concept, and the ideals we ascribe to western culture are hardly universal within countries that claim the western identity. I don't entirely disagree, but I do appreciate the author's attempts to not obfuscate the real progress that has been made by, what I call, western culture.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Riveting discussion of Identity, Class, Movement of Culture around the World and More

I loved this book. It is in some ways a series of stories about the development and migration of culture around the world. It weaves concepts of race, religion, power, human rights, wealth, nobility, slavery, prejudice, literature and philosophy into notions of how we see or identify ourselves and others. It is sometimes laugh out loud funny, many times troubling, fascinating and learned. The author has a complex personal family history that leads to the authenticity of his views and opinions.

I learned so much. Much to ponder deeply as I reflect on the book.

Fresh air for identity consideration

Appiah effectively describes, considers, and invites wonder about the ways we experience and judge identities. Religion, gender, race, class (including money, education, and social connections) are all tested and questioned and asked to hold up to a test of whether they indeed divide humanity or whether we make the mistake of projecting “essential” identity qualities on complicated humans and flatten our opportunities for reliable and humane relationships.

Highly recommended - especially the audio version read by the author. (For those of us who are audio learners)

Very good summary of identity

Appiah writes an extremely well thought through summary of identity and the various ways the concept of identity intersects with our personal and social lives.

DEMOCRACY'S STORM

“The Lies That Bind” examines the role of religion, culture, and government in society. Kwame Anthony Appiah casts a lifebuoy to those swimming in the stormy sea of democracy.

The democracy of which Appiah writes is one in which rule-of-law, freedom within the limits of rule-of-law, and equal opportunity are evident. However, contrary to Langston Hughes' poem, the sea is not calm. Democracies' sea is stormy because its principles are inconsistently practiced.

Appiah offers insight to how democracy can be improved. The key is equality of opportunity which implies democracy needs to focus on safety-net' issues which entail more help for lower- and middle-class income earners. In democracy, that means election of leaders who are willing to ensure equality of opportunity for all.

Fascinating and lovely!

I really enjoyed listening to this book and the lovely and engaging voice of Appiah.