The Thomas Sowell Reader Hardcover – October 4, 2011

Anyone who reads knows that Thomas Sowell is a genius. He's a brilliant economist.He has the ability to think clearly and objectively on many topics.He reasons without bias. He supports his conclusions.His books and articles are easy to understand and written with a bit of humor.Anyone seeking the truth on a variety of topics will enjoy his writings.

Yes, it is a reprint of many other articles and essays, but they are some of the master's favorites. If you do not have other Sowell books which might be redundant, this one will be delightful. He is a brilliant man. Wish he were president!

Whether you are a liberal or conservative, you need to read this great compilation book! Sowell covers a wide range of topics, ranging from economics to race and gender issues to U.S. history, to even simple, fun issues like the frustrations with instruction manuals, growing old, and grammar games with names on April fools day. With the barrage of narratives flooding the airwaves and schools, it is refreshing to hear from someone who actually cites facts about history and statistics relevant to today's economy and culture. GET THIS BOOK.

Once again, Thomas Sowell's common sense, wit, ability to communicate simply and clearly, and cut through political correct nonsense is on display.This book includes a collection of his commentary essays, which are spot on.However, what I liked most about it are the pieces about his childhood and adolescence. Our political mouthpieces, educators, lawyers, and politicians would do well to see and understand the America which produced this brilliant man, and compare it to the transformed "America" (I use that word loosely) of today, which they have given us.

This is a collection of short articles that Dr. Sowell wrote, I believe for publication in various news media. The essays are well worth reading and cover a myriad of important issues including race, social and political issues, and ethics. I doubt, though, that anyone under age 50 or so will be able to identify with some of the ideas, given the current thorough indoctrination of the young against conservative ideas (which, curiously, is viewed as teaching "tolerance").

This collection is a must read for anyone who values the truth. Sowell's dogged pursuit of evidence and eloquence in conveying these messages will convince the reader than even they too can understand government, finances, sociology and more to a higher degree than perhaps they ever imagined; all while simultaneously dispelling myths that have perpetuated & influenced our American way of life. This should be required reading for people before voting!

Everybody needs to read Sowell! He has so much to say that is logical and well researched and well thought out. He doesn't waste a single word and supports all that is said. He'll give you a different spin on a lot of concepts that the media takes for granted, give you the opportunity to step outside of the tide of all the one sided opinions we are assaulted with on a day to day basis. He is respectful of historical figures , offering some essays on people from Marx to George Washington Carver. He doesn't care what color someone's skin is and will criticize other blacks and praise non-blacks , or vice versa if it's fair, but he does so on merit rather than race. He seems very capitalist and encourages a free market, and he should know what he's talking about given his credentials and hard work ethic. His essays and ideas are a breath of fresh air in the smog infested tangled logic air of those with the blow horn nowadays.

I just love having Thomas Sowell's reasoned opinions at my fingertips, mostly because I think he is an enormous gift to America (and the world). He brings together a huge number of disparate threads, all the way from (1) why we talk so freely about sex, but so guardedly about love, and (2) the meaninglessness of the word "equality" in any politician's mouth, all the way to the general meaninglessness of the word "relevance," especially in education.I like this book because I agree with it. There are dozens of small, easy-to-digest essays and I find myself nodding my head when I read them. Sometimes there is a subtle bite to his thought, which I also agree with. For example (paraphrasing): "No matter how egalitarian our speech may be, it remains true that women in general make very bad men, and men cannot be women at all."A fantastic compendium.

For anyone wanting to know more about the important work of Thomas Sowell, this Reader is an essential starting point. It is divided into 8 diverse chapters (economics, politics, law, education, etc), with each chapter tackling a large number of issues and arguments in a brief and accessible manner. Most individual entries are 2-3 pages long, so can be read in 5 minutes whenever you have a few spare moments. Yet there is sufficient detail in each entry to impress upon you the original arguments and contributions made by Dr Sowell. Once you get through enough of the Reader, you’ll be well placed move on to one of his more specialist books like Discrimination and Disparities.

This man should be elevated to the highest policy offices across the globe. An economist who understands that counting counts. A man who cares deeply about his fellow human, and because of his own very humble beginnings, knows what a life best lived looks like. There’s an essay for every circumstance and occasion. A wonderful addition to my growing Thomas Sowell collection.

I only discovered Thomas Sowell recently. He has a brilliant mind that cuts through problems to get to the real issues. He always refers to the evidence to support conclusions. He was 90 on the 30th June and I hope we have the benefit of his wisdom for many more years.

This book shows Sowell at his best. He discusses various topics such as Marx, economics, race, politics, education, and many others. You don't stay on the same topic for too long, just short concise punches, this would definitely be a book you could recommend to introduce someone to Sowell as it covers so many varied subjects and is presented in a digestible, interesting, way.

This book should be sent to all members of parliament, so that they can understand what is required of them.Thomas Sowell applies common sense to world and local areas of concern that exposes big government in a very entertaining and knowledable way.