Books
Black Excellence: The Case of Dunbar High School
– "Black Excellence: The Case of Dunbar High School," The Public Interest, Spring 1974, p. 8.Excerpt: Social pathology has held an enduring fascination for researchers, and nowhere more so than in the study of black Americans. Isolated “successes” or “heroes” receive… More
Patterns of Black Excellence
– "Patterns of Black Excellence," The Public Interest, Spring 1976, p. 26.Excerpt: The history of the advancement of black Americans is almost a laboratory study of human achievement, for it extends back to slavery and was accomplished in the face of the… More
Myths About Minorities
– "Myths About Minorities," Commentary, August 1979, p. 33-37.Excerpt: Will Rogers once said that it’s not ignorance that is so bad, but all the things we know “that ain’t so.” Much of what we “know” about racial and ethnic minorities in… More
Knowledge and Decisions
– Knowledge and Decisions. Basic Books, New York, 1980.Sowell, one of America’s most celebrated public intellectuals, describes in concrete detail how knowledge is shared and disseminated throughout modern society. He warns that society… More
Poor Aim In War on Bias
– "Poor Aim In War on Bias," The New York Times, August 11, 1981.Excerpt: One of the tragedies about affirmative action is that there is very little empirical evidence of any benefits to blacks or women out of affirmative action. Further there is reason… More
The Economic Lot of Minorities
– “The Economic Lot of Minorities,” interview with William F. Buckley Jr., Firing Line, SECA, 12 November 1981.Marxism: Philosophy and Economics
– Marxism: Philosophy and Economics. Quill, 1986.Sowell leads the [reader] through the Marxian scheme of ideas, shattering some existing interpretations of Marx which have developed through repetition rather than through scholarship.… More
Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays
– Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays. William Morrow, New York, 1987.[Sowell] draws this collection of essays from his Scripps-Howard syndicated column and his contributions to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Sowell… More
A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles
– A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles. William Morrow, New York, 1987.Controversies in politics arise from many sources, but the conflicts that endure for generations or centuries show a remarkably consistent pattern. In this classic work, Thomas Sowell… More
Thomas Sowell’s Testimony at the Confirmation Hearing of Judge Robert Bork
– “Confirmation Hearing of Judge Robert Bork,” Senate Judiciary Committee, C-Span, 25 September 1987.Dr. Sowell testified in support of the nomination, citing Judge Bork’s commitment to judicial restraint. Sowell starts at 56:17
Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays
– Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 1993.Sowell challenges all the assumptions of contemporary liberalism on issues ranging from the economy to race to education in this collection of controversial essays, and captures his… More
Economic vs. Political Decision Making
– "Economic vs. Political Decision Making." Clip 1/4. An Address by Thomas Sowell to the Institution for World Capitalism. Jacksonville, Florida, 14 October 1993.Race and Culture: A World View
– Race and Culture: A World View, Basic Books, New York, 1995.Thomas Sowell here gives an international perspective to themes from earlier works like Ethnic America and Markets and Minorities. Arguing that major economic and social differences between… More
The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy
– The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy. Basic Books, New York, 1996.Sowell presents a devastating critique of the mind-set behind the failed social policies of the past thirty years [1966-1996]. Sowell sees what has happened during that time not as a series… More
The Quest for Cosmic Justice
– The Quest For Cosmic Justice, The Free Press, New York, 2002.This is not a comforting book — it is a book about disturbing issues that are urgently important today and enduringly critical for the future. It rejects both “merit” and… More
A Personal Odyssey
– A Personal Odyssey, The Free Press, New York, 2002.This is the gritty story of one man’s lifelong education in the school of hard knocks, as his journey took him from Harlem to the Marines, the Ivy League, and a career as a… More
Controversial Essays
– Controversial Essays, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 2002.One of conservatism’s most articulate voices dissects today’s most important economic, racial, political, educational, legal, and social issues, sharing his entertaining and… More
Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays
– Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays. Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 2006.Thomas Sowell takes aim at a range of legal, social, racial, educational, and economic issues in this latest collection of his controversial, never boring, always thought-provoking essays.… More
A Man of Letters
– A Man of Letters. Encounter Books, New York, 2007.A Man of Letters traces the life, career, and commentaries on controversial issues of Thomas Sowell over a period of more than four decades through his letters to and from family, friends,… More
Economic Facts and Fallacies
– Economic Facts and Fallacies. Basic Books, New York, 2007.Economic Facts and Fallacies exposes some of the most popular fallacies about economic issues — and does so in a lively manner… These include many beliefs widely disseminated in… More
Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions
– “Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions,” interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution, 27 October 2008.Intellectuals and Society
– Intellectuals and Society. Basic Books, New York, 2010.The influence of intellectuals is not only greater than in previous eras but also takes a very different form from that envisioned by those like Machiavelli and others who have wanted to… More
Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays
– Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays. Basic Books, New York, 2010.These wide-ranging essays — on many individual political, economic, cultural and legal issues — have as a recurring, underlying theme the decline of the values and institutions… More
The Thomas Sowell Reader
– The Thomas Sowell Reader. Basic Books, New York, 2011.These selections from the many writings of Thomas Sowell over a period of a half century cover social, economic, cultural, legal, educational, and political issues. The sources range from… More
Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society
– “Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society,” interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, 9 May 2012. Excerpt:
Intellectuals and Race
– Intellectuals and Race. Basic Books, New York, 2013. The role of intellectuals in racial strife is explored in an international context that puts the American experience in a wholly new light… Intellectuals and Race is not a book… More
The Reality of Multiculturalism
– Video. Interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution, 17 May 2013.“The Reality of Multiculturalism,” is an excerpt of: “Thomas Sowell discusses his newest book, Intellectuals and Race.”
Essays
Black Excellence: The Case of Dunbar High School
– "Black Excellence: The Case of Dunbar High School," The Public Interest, Spring 1974, p. 8.Excerpt: Social pathology has held an enduring fascination for researchers, and nowhere more so than in the study of black Americans. Isolated “successes” or “heroes” receive… More
Patterns of Black Excellence
– "Patterns of Black Excellence," The Public Interest, Spring 1976, p. 26.Excerpt: The history of the advancement of black Americans is almost a laboratory study of human achievement, for it extends back to slavery and was accomplished in the face of the… More
Myths About Minorities
– "Myths About Minorities," Commentary, August 1979, p. 33-37.Excerpt: Will Rogers once said that it’s not ignorance that is so bad, but all the things we know “that ain’t so.” Much of what we “know” about racial and ethnic minorities in… More
Knowledge and Decisions
– Knowledge and Decisions. Basic Books, New York, 1980.Sowell, one of America’s most celebrated public intellectuals, describes in concrete detail how knowledge is shared and disseminated throughout modern society. He warns that society… More
Poor Aim In War on Bias
– "Poor Aim In War on Bias," The New York Times, August 11, 1981.Excerpt: One of the tragedies about affirmative action is that there is very little empirical evidence of any benefits to blacks or women out of affirmative action. Further there is reason… More
The Economic Lot of Minorities
– “The Economic Lot of Minorities,” interview with William F. Buckley Jr., Firing Line, SECA, 12 November 1981.Marxism: Philosophy and Economics
– Marxism: Philosophy and Economics. Quill, 1986.Sowell leads the [reader] through the Marxian scheme of ideas, shattering some existing interpretations of Marx which have developed through repetition rather than through scholarship.… More
Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays
– Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays. William Morrow, New York, 1987.[Sowell] draws this collection of essays from his Scripps-Howard syndicated column and his contributions to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Sowell… More
A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles
– A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles. William Morrow, New York, 1987.Controversies in politics arise from many sources, but the conflicts that endure for generations or centuries show a remarkably consistent pattern. In this classic work, Thomas Sowell… More
Thomas Sowell’s Testimony at the Confirmation Hearing of Judge Robert Bork
– “Confirmation Hearing of Judge Robert Bork,” Senate Judiciary Committee, C-Span, 25 September 1987.Dr. Sowell testified in support of the nomination, citing Judge Bork’s commitment to judicial restraint. Sowell starts at 56:17
Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays
– Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 1993.Sowell challenges all the assumptions of contemporary liberalism on issues ranging from the economy to race to education in this collection of controversial essays, and captures his… More
Economic vs. Political Decision Making
– "Economic vs. Political Decision Making." Clip 1/4. An Address by Thomas Sowell to the Institution for World Capitalism. Jacksonville, Florida, 14 October 1993.Race and Culture: A World View
– Race and Culture: A World View, Basic Books, New York, 1995.Thomas Sowell here gives an international perspective to themes from earlier works like Ethnic America and Markets and Minorities. Arguing that major economic and social differences between… More
The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy
– The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy. Basic Books, New York, 1996.Sowell presents a devastating critique of the mind-set behind the failed social policies of the past thirty years [1966-1996]. Sowell sees what has happened during that time not as a series… More
The Quest for Cosmic Justice
– The Quest For Cosmic Justice, The Free Press, New York, 2002.This is not a comforting book — it is a book about disturbing issues that are urgently important today and enduringly critical for the future. It rejects both “merit” and… More
A Personal Odyssey
– A Personal Odyssey, The Free Press, New York, 2002.This is the gritty story of one man’s lifelong education in the school of hard knocks, as his journey took him from Harlem to the Marines, the Ivy League, and a career as a… More
Controversial Essays
– Controversial Essays, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 2002.One of conservatism’s most articulate voices dissects today’s most important economic, racial, political, educational, legal, and social issues, sharing his entertaining and… More
Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays
– Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays. Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 2006.Thomas Sowell takes aim at a range of legal, social, racial, educational, and economic issues in this latest collection of his controversial, never boring, always thought-provoking essays.… More
A Man of Letters
– A Man of Letters. Encounter Books, New York, 2007.A Man of Letters traces the life, career, and commentaries on controversial issues of Thomas Sowell over a period of more than four decades through his letters to and from family, friends,… More
Economic Facts and Fallacies
– Economic Facts and Fallacies. Basic Books, New York, 2007.Economic Facts and Fallacies exposes some of the most popular fallacies about economic issues — and does so in a lively manner… These include many beliefs widely disseminated in… More
Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions
– “Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions,” interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution, 27 October 2008.Intellectuals and Society
– Intellectuals and Society. Basic Books, New York, 2010.The influence of intellectuals is not only greater than in previous eras but also takes a very different form from that envisioned by those like Machiavelli and others who have wanted to… More
Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays
– Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays. Basic Books, New York, 2010.These wide-ranging essays — on many individual political, economic, cultural and legal issues — have as a recurring, underlying theme the decline of the values and institutions… More
The Thomas Sowell Reader
– The Thomas Sowell Reader. Basic Books, New York, 2011.These selections from the many writings of Thomas Sowell over a period of a half century cover social, economic, cultural, legal, educational, and political issues. The sources range from… More
Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society
– “Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society,” interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, 9 May 2012. Excerpt:
Intellectuals and Race
– Intellectuals and Race. Basic Books, New York, 2013. The role of intellectuals in racial strife is explored in an international context that puts the American experience in a wholly new light… Intellectuals and Race is not a book… More
The Reality of Multiculturalism
– Video. Interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution, 17 May 2013.“The Reality of Multiculturalism,” is an excerpt of: “Thomas Sowell discusses his newest book, Intellectuals and Race.”
Commentary
Black Excellence: The Case of Dunbar High School
– "Black Excellence: The Case of Dunbar High School," The Public Interest, Spring 1974, p. 8.Excerpt: Social pathology has held an enduring fascination for researchers, and nowhere more so than in the study of black Americans. Isolated “successes” or “heroes” receive… More
Patterns of Black Excellence
– "Patterns of Black Excellence," The Public Interest, Spring 1976, p. 26.Excerpt: The history of the advancement of black Americans is almost a laboratory study of human achievement, for it extends back to slavery and was accomplished in the face of the… More
Myths About Minorities
– "Myths About Minorities," Commentary, August 1979, p. 33-37.Excerpt: Will Rogers once said that it’s not ignorance that is so bad, but all the things we know “that ain’t so.” Much of what we “know” about racial and ethnic minorities in… More
Knowledge and Decisions
– Knowledge and Decisions. Basic Books, New York, 1980.Sowell, one of America’s most celebrated public intellectuals, describes in concrete detail how knowledge is shared and disseminated throughout modern society. He warns that society… More
Poor Aim In War on Bias
– "Poor Aim In War on Bias," The New York Times, August 11, 1981.Excerpt: One of the tragedies about affirmative action is that there is very little empirical evidence of any benefits to blacks or women out of affirmative action. Further there is reason… More
The Economic Lot of Minorities
– “The Economic Lot of Minorities,” interview with William F. Buckley Jr., Firing Line, SECA, 12 November 1981.Marxism: Philosophy and Economics
– Marxism: Philosophy and Economics. Quill, 1986.Sowell leads the [reader] through the Marxian scheme of ideas, shattering some existing interpretations of Marx which have developed through repetition rather than through scholarship.… More
Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays
– Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays. William Morrow, New York, 1987.[Sowell] draws this collection of essays from his Scripps-Howard syndicated column and his contributions to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Sowell… More
A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles
– A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles. William Morrow, New York, 1987.Controversies in politics arise from many sources, but the conflicts that endure for generations or centuries show a remarkably consistent pattern. In this classic work, Thomas Sowell… More
Thomas Sowell’s Testimony at the Confirmation Hearing of Judge Robert Bork
– “Confirmation Hearing of Judge Robert Bork,” Senate Judiciary Committee, C-Span, 25 September 1987.Dr. Sowell testified in support of the nomination, citing Judge Bork’s commitment to judicial restraint. Sowell starts at 56:17
Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays
– Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 1993.Sowell challenges all the assumptions of contemporary liberalism on issues ranging from the economy to race to education in this collection of controversial essays, and captures his… More
Economic vs. Political Decision Making
– "Economic vs. Political Decision Making." Clip 1/4. An Address by Thomas Sowell to the Institution for World Capitalism. Jacksonville, Florida, 14 October 1993.Race and Culture: A World View
– Race and Culture: A World View, Basic Books, New York, 1995.Thomas Sowell here gives an international perspective to themes from earlier works like Ethnic America and Markets and Minorities. Arguing that major economic and social differences between… More
The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy
– The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy. Basic Books, New York, 1996.Sowell presents a devastating critique of the mind-set behind the failed social policies of the past thirty years [1966-1996]. Sowell sees what has happened during that time not as a series… More
The Quest for Cosmic Justice
– The Quest For Cosmic Justice, The Free Press, New York, 2002.This is not a comforting book — it is a book about disturbing issues that are urgently important today and enduringly critical for the future. It rejects both “merit” and… More
A Personal Odyssey
– A Personal Odyssey, The Free Press, New York, 2002.This is the gritty story of one man’s lifelong education in the school of hard knocks, as his journey took him from Harlem to the Marines, the Ivy League, and a career as a… More
Controversial Essays
– Controversial Essays, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 2002.One of conservatism’s most articulate voices dissects today’s most important economic, racial, political, educational, legal, and social issues, sharing his entertaining and… More
Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays
– Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays. Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 2006.Thomas Sowell takes aim at a range of legal, social, racial, educational, and economic issues in this latest collection of his controversial, never boring, always thought-provoking essays.… More
A Man of Letters
– A Man of Letters. Encounter Books, New York, 2007.A Man of Letters traces the life, career, and commentaries on controversial issues of Thomas Sowell over a period of more than four decades through his letters to and from family, friends,… More
Economic Facts and Fallacies
– Economic Facts and Fallacies. Basic Books, New York, 2007.Economic Facts and Fallacies exposes some of the most popular fallacies about economic issues — and does so in a lively manner… These include many beliefs widely disseminated in… More
Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions
– “Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions,” interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution, 27 October 2008.Intellectuals and Society
– Intellectuals and Society. Basic Books, New York, 2010.The influence of intellectuals is not only greater than in previous eras but also takes a very different form from that envisioned by those like Machiavelli and others who have wanted to… More
Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays
– Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays. Basic Books, New York, 2010.These wide-ranging essays — on many individual political, economic, cultural and legal issues — have as a recurring, underlying theme the decline of the values and institutions… More
The Thomas Sowell Reader
– The Thomas Sowell Reader. Basic Books, New York, 2011.These selections from the many writings of Thomas Sowell over a period of a half century cover social, economic, cultural, legal, educational, and political issues. The sources range from… More
Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society
– “Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society,” interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, 9 May 2012. Excerpt:
Intellectuals and Race
– Intellectuals and Race. Basic Books, New York, 2013. The role of intellectuals in racial strife is explored in an international context that puts the American experience in a wholly new light… Intellectuals and Race is not a book… More
The Reality of Multiculturalism
– Video. Interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution, 17 May 2013.“The Reality of Multiculturalism,” is an excerpt of: “Thomas Sowell discusses his newest book, Intellectuals and Race.”
Multimedia
Black Excellence: The Case of Dunbar High School
– "Black Excellence: The Case of Dunbar High School," The Public Interest, Spring 1974, p. 8.Excerpt: Social pathology has held an enduring fascination for researchers, and nowhere more so than in the study of black Americans. Isolated “successes” or “heroes” receive… More
Patterns of Black Excellence
– "Patterns of Black Excellence," The Public Interest, Spring 1976, p. 26.Excerpt: The history of the advancement of black Americans is almost a laboratory study of human achievement, for it extends back to slavery and was accomplished in the face of the… More
Myths About Minorities
– "Myths About Minorities," Commentary, August 1979, p. 33-37.Excerpt: Will Rogers once said that it’s not ignorance that is so bad, but all the things we know “that ain’t so.” Much of what we “know” about racial and ethnic minorities in… More
Knowledge and Decisions
– Knowledge and Decisions. Basic Books, New York, 1980.Sowell, one of America’s most celebrated public intellectuals, describes in concrete detail how knowledge is shared and disseminated throughout modern society. He warns that society… More
Poor Aim In War on Bias
– "Poor Aim In War on Bias," The New York Times, August 11, 1981.Excerpt: One of the tragedies about affirmative action is that there is very little empirical evidence of any benefits to blacks or women out of affirmative action. Further there is reason… More
The Economic Lot of Minorities
– “The Economic Lot of Minorities,” interview with William F. Buckley Jr., Firing Line, SECA, 12 November 1981.Marxism: Philosophy and Economics
– Marxism: Philosophy and Economics. Quill, 1986.Sowell leads the [reader] through the Marxian scheme of ideas, shattering some existing interpretations of Marx which have developed through repetition rather than through scholarship.… More
Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays
– Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays. William Morrow, New York, 1987.[Sowell] draws this collection of essays from his Scripps-Howard syndicated column and his contributions to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Sowell… More
A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles
– A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles. William Morrow, New York, 1987.Controversies in politics arise from many sources, but the conflicts that endure for generations or centuries show a remarkably consistent pattern. In this classic work, Thomas Sowell… More
Thomas Sowell’s Testimony at the Confirmation Hearing of Judge Robert Bork
– “Confirmation Hearing of Judge Robert Bork,” Senate Judiciary Committee, C-Span, 25 September 1987.Dr. Sowell testified in support of the nomination, citing Judge Bork’s commitment to judicial restraint. Sowell starts at 56:17
Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays
– Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 1993.Sowell challenges all the assumptions of contemporary liberalism on issues ranging from the economy to race to education in this collection of controversial essays, and captures his… More
Economic vs. Political Decision Making
– "Economic vs. Political Decision Making." Clip 1/4. An Address by Thomas Sowell to the Institution for World Capitalism. Jacksonville, Florida, 14 October 1993.Race and Culture: A World View
– Race and Culture: A World View, Basic Books, New York, 1995.Thomas Sowell here gives an international perspective to themes from earlier works like Ethnic America and Markets and Minorities. Arguing that major economic and social differences between… More
The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy
– The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy. Basic Books, New York, 1996.Sowell presents a devastating critique of the mind-set behind the failed social policies of the past thirty years [1966-1996]. Sowell sees what has happened during that time not as a series… More
The Quest for Cosmic Justice
– The Quest For Cosmic Justice, The Free Press, New York, 2002.This is not a comforting book — it is a book about disturbing issues that are urgently important today and enduringly critical for the future. It rejects both “merit” and… More
A Personal Odyssey
– A Personal Odyssey, The Free Press, New York, 2002.This is the gritty story of one man’s lifelong education in the school of hard knocks, as his journey took him from Harlem to the Marines, the Ivy League, and a career as a… More
Controversial Essays
– Controversial Essays, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 2002.One of conservatism’s most articulate voices dissects today’s most important economic, racial, political, educational, legal, and social issues, sharing his entertaining and… More
Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays
– Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays. Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 2006.Thomas Sowell takes aim at a range of legal, social, racial, educational, and economic issues in this latest collection of his controversial, never boring, always thought-provoking essays.… More
A Man of Letters
– A Man of Letters. Encounter Books, New York, 2007.A Man of Letters traces the life, career, and commentaries on controversial issues of Thomas Sowell over a period of more than four decades through his letters to and from family, friends,… More
Economic Facts and Fallacies
– Economic Facts and Fallacies. Basic Books, New York, 2007.Economic Facts and Fallacies exposes some of the most popular fallacies about economic issues — and does so in a lively manner… These include many beliefs widely disseminated in… More
Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions
– “Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions,” interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution, 27 October 2008.Intellectuals and Society
– Intellectuals and Society. Basic Books, New York, 2010.The influence of intellectuals is not only greater than in previous eras but also takes a very different form from that envisioned by those like Machiavelli and others who have wanted to… More
Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays
– Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays. Basic Books, New York, 2010.These wide-ranging essays — on many individual political, economic, cultural and legal issues — have as a recurring, underlying theme the decline of the values and institutions… More
The Thomas Sowell Reader
– The Thomas Sowell Reader. Basic Books, New York, 2011.These selections from the many writings of Thomas Sowell over a period of a half century cover social, economic, cultural, legal, educational, and political issues. The sources range from… More
Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society
– “Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society,” interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, 9 May 2012. Excerpt:
Intellectuals and Race
– Intellectuals and Race. Basic Books, New York, 2013. The role of intellectuals in racial strife is explored in an international context that puts the American experience in a wholly new light… Intellectuals and Race is not a book… More
The Reality of Multiculturalism
– Video. Interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution, 17 May 2013.“The Reality of Multiculturalism,” is an excerpt of: “Thomas Sowell discusses his newest book, Intellectuals and Race.”
Teaching
Black Excellence: The Case of Dunbar High School
– "Black Excellence: The Case of Dunbar High School," The Public Interest, Spring 1974, p. 8.Excerpt: Social pathology has held an enduring fascination for researchers, and nowhere more so than in the study of black Americans. Isolated “successes” or “heroes” receive… More
Patterns of Black Excellence
– "Patterns of Black Excellence," The Public Interest, Spring 1976, p. 26.Excerpt: The history of the advancement of black Americans is almost a laboratory study of human achievement, for it extends back to slavery and was accomplished in the face of the… More
Myths About Minorities
– "Myths About Minorities," Commentary, August 1979, p. 33-37.Excerpt: Will Rogers once said that it’s not ignorance that is so bad, but all the things we know “that ain’t so.” Much of what we “know” about racial and ethnic minorities in… More
Knowledge and Decisions
– Knowledge and Decisions. Basic Books, New York, 1980.Sowell, one of America’s most celebrated public intellectuals, describes in concrete detail how knowledge is shared and disseminated throughout modern society. He warns that society… More
Poor Aim In War on Bias
– "Poor Aim In War on Bias," The New York Times, August 11, 1981.Excerpt: One of the tragedies about affirmative action is that there is very little empirical evidence of any benefits to blacks or women out of affirmative action. Further there is reason… More
The Economic Lot of Minorities
– “The Economic Lot of Minorities,” interview with William F. Buckley Jr., Firing Line, SECA, 12 November 1981.Marxism: Philosophy and Economics
– Marxism: Philosophy and Economics. Quill, 1986.Sowell leads the [reader] through the Marxian scheme of ideas, shattering some existing interpretations of Marx which have developed through repetition rather than through scholarship.… More
Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays
– Compassion Versus Guilt and Other Essays. William Morrow, New York, 1987.[Sowell] draws this collection of essays from his Scripps-Howard syndicated column and his contributions to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Sowell… More
A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles
– A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles. William Morrow, New York, 1987.Controversies in politics arise from many sources, but the conflicts that endure for generations or centuries show a remarkably consistent pattern. In this classic work, Thomas Sowell… More
Thomas Sowell’s Testimony at the Confirmation Hearing of Judge Robert Bork
– “Confirmation Hearing of Judge Robert Bork,” Senate Judiciary Committee, C-Span, 25 September 1987.Dr. Sowell testified in support of the nomination, citing Judge Bork’s commitment to judicial restraint. Sowell starts at 56:17
Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays
– Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 1993.Sowell challenges all the assumptions of contemporary liberalism on issues ranging from the economy to race to education in this collection of controversial essays, and captures his… More
Economic vs. Political Decision Making
– "Economic vs. Political Decision Making." Clip 1/4. An Address by Thomas Sowell to the Institution for World Capitalism. Jacksonville, Florida, 14 October 1993.Race and Culture: A World View
– Race and Culture: A World View, Basic Books, New York, 1995.Thomas Sowell here gives an international perspective to themes from earlier works like Ethnic America and Markets and Minorities. Arguing that major economic and social differences between… More
The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy
– The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy. Basic Books, New York, 1996.Sowell presents a devastating critique of the mind-set behind the failed social policies of the past thirty years [1966-1996]. Sowell sees what has happened during that time not as a series… More
The Quest for Cosmic Justice
– The Quest For Cosmic Justice, The Free Press, New York, 2002.This is not a comforting book — it is a book about disturbing issues that are urgently important today and enduringly critical for the future. It rejects both “merit” and… More
A Personal Odyssey
– A Personal Odyssey, The Free Press, New York, 2002.This is the gritty story of one man’s lifelong education in the school of hard knocks, as his journey took him from Harlem to the Marines, the Ivy League, and a career as a… More
Controversial Essays
– Controversial Essays, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 2002.One of conservatism’s most articulate voices dissects today’s most important economic, racial, political, educational, legal, and social issues, sharing his entertaining and… More
Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays
– Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays. Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA, 2006.Thomas Sowell takes aim at a range of legal, social, racial, educational, and economic issues in this latest collection of his controversial, never boring, always thought-provoking essays.… More
A Man of Letters
– A Man of Letters. Encounter Books, New York, 2007.A Man of Letters traces the life, career, and commentaries on controversial issues of Thomas Sowell over a period of more than four decades through his letters to and from family, friends,… More
Economic Facts and Fallacies
– Economic Facts and Fallacies. Basic Books, New York, 2007.Economic Facts and Fallacies exposes some of the most popular fallacies about economic issues — and does so in a lively manner… These include many beliefs widely disseminated in… More
Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions
– “Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions,” interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution, 27 October 2008.Intellectuals and Society
– Intellectuals and Society. Basic Books, New York, 2010.The influence of intellectuals is not only greater than in previous eras but also takes a very different form from that envisioned by those like Machiavelli and others who have wanted to… More
Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays
– Dismantling America: And Other Controversial Essays. Basic Books, New York, 2010.These wide-ranging essays — on many individual political, economic, cultural and legal issues — have as a recurring, underlying theme the decline of the values and institutions… More
The Thomas Sowell Reader
– The Thomas Sowell Reader. Basic Books, New York, 2011.These selections from the many writings of Thomas Sowell over a period of a half century cover social, economic, cultural, legal, educational, and political issues. The sources range from… More
Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society
– “Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society,” interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, 9 May 2012. Excerpt:
Intellectuals and Race
– Intellectuals and Race. Basic Books, New York, 2013. The role of intellectuals in racial strife is explored in an international context that puts the American experience in a wholly new light… Intellectuals and Race is not a book… More
The Reality of Multiculturalism
– Video. Interview with Peter Robinson, Uncommon Knowledge, Hoover Institution, 17 May 2013.“The Reality of Multiculturalism,” is an excerpt of: “Thomas Sowell discusses his newest book, Intellectuals and Race.”