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  • The Thomas Sowell Reader

  • By: Thomas Sowell
  • Narrated by: Robertson Dean
  • Length: 14 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (894 ratings)

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The Thomas Sowell Reader

By: Thomas Sowell
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
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Publisher's summary

These selections from the many writings of Thomas Sowell over a period of half a century cover social, economic, cultural, legal, educational, and political issues. The sources range from Dr. Sowell’s letters, books, newspaper columns, and articles in both scholarly journals and popular magazines. The topics range from latetalking children to tax cuts for the rich, baseball, race, war, the role of judges, medical care, and the rhetoric of politicians. These topics are dealt with by drawing sometimes on history, sometimes on economics, and sometimes on a sense of humor.

©2011 Thomas Sowell (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
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Critic reviews

“Engaging and accessible…Sowell’s careful explicating of and grappling with issues allow his thoughts to be clearly exhibited, understood, and welcomed. Even leftist thinkers will appreciate Sowell’s personal charm and intellectual rigor.” ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about The Thomas Sowell Reader

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Another great book

If you want common sense,
Please read/listen to this book. I bought both because I need a hard cover for this one.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

Always great to hear the wisdow of sowell

Would you listen to The Thomas Sowell Reader again? Why?

There is a lot of information in the boo, well worth a repeated listen.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I was impressed by the breadth of material covered.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed his comparison of diverse times and places.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It from his many articles so great for listening in bits and pieces.

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3 people found this helpful

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One of the truly great minds of our nation!

Once again Mr. Sowell explains with reason and fact what so many of us struggle to understand. Thanks again to this brilliant and reasoned man.

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1 person found this helpful

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Unsurpassed Excellence

Impeccable logic, understated humor, wholesome intent. It does not get any better than Thomas Sowell. If only the politicians agreed.

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I can't say enough about this book

If ever there was a book that should be required reading for all students of all ages this would be the one to pick. Easy to understand, easy to read, entertaining through-and-through with examples.

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Best of Sowell

I Love this man, plain & simple.
These are all his best anecdotes in one convenient book.

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Common sense wisdom

I loved the book because it doesn’t get mired in the drama of social issues but rather it takes a calm and objective approach when addressing those issues.

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The antidote to fuzzy, well-meaning thinking

Thomas Sowell thinks and speaks clearly. This is a lost art. His primary talent is demonstrating that certain important questions are often skipped over as we evaluate the world around us. He asks those important questions and arrives at unexpected answers.

For instance, it's customary to survey companies before and after implementation of minimum wage laws to demonstrate that they've fared tolerably. However, companies that have failed during the transition are not surveyed. Sowell points out that, by that logic, Russian Roulette could be shown to be a perfectly safe recreational activity. He has a similar view on the "safety" of minimum wage laws.

Not an essay goes by that doesn't make me gasp with a mixture of delight, surprise, and horror that I never thought of that before.

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7 people found this helpful

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A Good Sampling

After listening to his biography this provided exposure to his published works and a revisit to parts of the biography.

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Outstanding read!

Prof. Sowell has renewed my faith in common sense. Critical thinking has become a lost art, it seems, but this refresher course has me thinking that there might be hope, yet! Thank you, Prof. Sowell, for presenting such important concepts in an interesting and entertaining format.

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