A paradigm shift on the subject of equality

Common Sense. It is a term so reflexively invoked that its true meaning has been diluted and its significance misplaced. But it is with this foundational component that Dr. Sowell concocts all of his brilliant analyses of economic conundrums, many of which are truly not as complex as they have been made out to be.

Wielding the power of Occam's Razor, Wealth, Poverty, and Politics is the latest in this long stream of impactful contributions from Sowell. He is my favorite economist, though if you happen to find yourself deeply embedded within the throes of the intelleligentsia, he could very easily become your least favorite after his crystal-clear interpretations of statistical quagmires effectively shatters everything you thought you knew about current affairs.

Proceed with caution and excitement. Highly Recommended.

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Important Contribution

The author brings clarity and common sense to questions of importance. If you are interested in the many reasons for social progress, prosperity, inequality and the success or failure of government programs, read this book.

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Simply amazing factual analysis!

I've reviewed two other Thomas Sowell books here so it should be no surprise that I view him as a national treasure. He is also one of the wisest people in the world. Wealth, Power and Politics covers a lot of human economic history as well as surveying economic conditions in the around much of the world today. Sowell makes the case that social justice warriors hate concerning income distribution: The five quintiles of income distribution are not static because people move from poverty to comfort and even wealth sometimes to drop back to lesser earnings during their lives. Personal and family income is not static during out lives. Many people leave poverty while others descent into poverty. He also notes that income is not wealth although our tax laws treat it as such. Sowell also makes the often missed point that government income statistics are based on family income and that those with higher income also have larger and intact families.

As a southerner who grew up in a rural white redneck culture and , indeed, in such a family, I appreciate that Sowell writes that what one often sees in urban black neighborhoods is a very similar culture. He makes that case more strongly in his book Black Rednecks and White Liberals.

Sowell also discusses slavery as a situation that was not a situation unique US or one that has only impacted blacks. Slavery has been practiced in many societies for many centuries. The west ended slavery. My personal view is that slavery and Jim Crow that followed its end in the south are major blots on US history.

It is a pity that the people who most need to read or listen to this book are the progressives who will not read it.

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Liberals may not like but they should read

This is a great explanation of how affirmative action not based on productivity, causes more hindrance than help.

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disappointing

This book has 6 chapters and an epilogue. Chapters 1-4 are very interesting and his arguments are sound. However, the rest of the book can only be described as a rant. He does not provide sufficient evidence for his conclusions, which is quite suspect of an economist who is quite forthcoming on the data in "Basic Economics" and the earlier chapters of this book. Be warned, that chapters 5 and 6 seem to have been written in 1990, and ignore everything that has come since.

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Shallow

Glad I bought it on sale. When John D. Rockefeller was described without mentioning his predatory business practices the book became an opinion piece instead of a serious study.

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Great insight on the global economy

Where does Wealth, Poverty, and Politics rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the top books I've listened to so far... the facts help an individual approach situations on a new level.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't have an extreme reaction, but the book really did make me think of how every situation has two sides to it.

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Below average, don't bother with this one.

Very obvious observations, little data, compounded with biased conclusions and criticisms. No proposed solutions for problem.

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Thomas Sowell what else one need to know?

brilliant. while a lot of it already covered in his other books, such as culture and conquest, this book is still amazing. I can't recommend it enough and should be required reading.

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Assists in understanding modern cultural movements

This book uses an information based argument to better understand the driving forces of cultural movements of 2015. The book spends time showing similar movements causes and effects on a global scale.

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