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Buy the Book
A Lifetime of Sowell-Full Thought
Buy yourself and everyone you know an early Christmas present.
(Page 2 of 2)
On the liberal/progressive sense of entitlement: “It is amazing how many people seem to think that the government exists to turn their prejudices into law.”
A warning that needs no explanatory note: “If the battle for civilization comes down to the wimps versus the barbarians, the barbarians are going to win.”
On the left: “A careful definition of words would destroy half the agenda of the political left, and scrutinizing evidence would destroy the other half.”
Just so. And Professor Sowell has brought his considerable intellectual power to scrutinizing the evidence for a half-century now. The results of his thought, well-treated in this distillation, deserve the attention of anyone seeking to understand today’s world.
About the Author
Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (21) | Leave a comment
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Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 11.2.11 @ 7:26AM
Great quotes.
One of the smartest men in America that few would recognize.
Michael Tomlinson| 11.2.11 @ 7:36AM
One of the greatest minds in America whose seminal work on the negative impact of the welfare state on the African-American community and the nation as a whole will influence thoughtful conservatives for generations.
RT| 11.2.11 @ 8:14AM
I love reading Thomas Sowell's writings.
D. Wallace| 11.2.11 @ 8:20AM
Thomas Sowell - A true American treasure.
PJ| 11.2.11 @ 9:19AM
OMG! Thomas Sowell is 81 yrs old! Who's going to fill in his shoes when the time comes?
I don't know of anyone living who is extremely versed in many well, thought-out ideas as he is.
Chalkdust| 11.2.11 @ 2:32PM
I was struck by the same thought.
Al Adab| 11.2.11 @ 11:09AM
Dr. Sowell, whos' book will take an honored place alongside Kirk and Buckley on my shelf, should be our President. A man who understands and studies the limitations of government action is needed now more than ever.
Maddox| 11.2.11 @ 11:40AM
If only Dr. Sowell had been asked to head the advisory panel on the economy...
edward del colle| 11.2.11 @ 11:45AM
all should go th NRO for uncommon knowledge with peter robinson currently interviewing the inimitabke Dr sowell on this book. the first section begins with a past show of firing line with buckley's bio intro. and accolades of dr sowell 30 years ago. timeless, significant treasures of american conservatism.
fmm| 11.2.11 @ 11:54AM
Dr. Sowell's book "Basic Economics" has been gifted to all my proginy for their instruction in economic reality.
Anthony| 11.2.11 @ 12:17PM
Dr. Sowell is a national treasure. What a shame the left has ignored this most accomplished man for all these decades.
It's a national loss, except for those of us who don't operate in MSM land.
Ah, but Jessie Jackson (child out of wedlock with a former staffer) and Al (the felon) Sharpton, now those are black men the left want America to emulate.
Can't wait until we clean house!!!
cicero| 11.2.11 @ 1:59PM
Dr. Sowell - brilliant. I only wish that he could live and keep working until he is at least 181 years.
I have given his works to my children (post college) over the years, so that they could begin their real education.
MOS was 71331| 11.2.11 @ 2:12PM
I first became aware of Dr Sowell when I watched the 1980 PBS series "Free to Choose" by Milton Friedman. Dr Sowell, in the audience, asked MF a question, and my initial reaction, probably based on my prejudice, was to expect a challenge from the left. I was surprised that Sowell's question was thoughtful and that the question and MF's answer added value to the episode.
Dr Sowell and, later, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas have disabused me of my thoughts of Negro mental inferiority, despite the counter examples of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.
Butch| 11.2.11 @ 2:55PM
I'm pretty sure Sowell was Milton Friedman's direct student; that is, Friedman was Chair of Sowell's dissertation committee. That is as close as it gets.
Dan Mathewson| 11.2.11 @ 6:13PM
Not only that, Butch, but Sowell has admitted to still being a Marxist for about a year after gaining his Ph. D. Guess it took him that long after studying under Friedman to see the light.
PattyMor| 11.2.11 @ 2:25PM
Dr. Sowell, Clarence Thomas, Walter Williams, and Herman Cain are examples of excellence that is capable within the black community. It doesn't have to be the intercity plantations (public housing), drugs, dispair, dilapidated schools, and undisciplined kids.
Chalkdust| 11.2.11 @ 2:51PM
White or black, a better word-smith (maybe A. Lincoln) never drew a more manly breath.
If I were king for a day, Thomas Sowell would have his own day.
idalily| 11.2.11 @ 7:26PM
If I were king for a day, I'd appoint Thomas Sowell the President and I'd resign.
absinthe| 11.2.11 @ 3:02PM
I largely have Dr. Sowell to thank for making me a true conservative. Nothing I've read has had as much effect on my thinking as 'The Quest for Cosmic Justic,' 'A Conflict of Visions,' and 'The Vision of the Anointed.' I re-read all of them from time to time.
POST American| 11.2.11 @ 11:27PM
----AS the FUKISHIMA world depop op
goes into its 9th month of Globalist
media cover up ---and with the lockstep
DENIAL about everything from 'Agenda 21'
---to full-blown TREASON, one and all
might order the upgraded DVD of Akira Kurosawa's 1952
--------------------------'IKIRU'--------------------------
NO matter how 'calm-pro-mized' and
'COW--ardly' you are, no matter how many years
of 'bennie rectum worship' ---when you
circumscize your porn clotted eyes
---and WATCH ---you'll be missing the
genuine adventure ---of your soul.
CHECK IT OUT.
AS all around us, the GM food and
POLIO vaccine viruses 'kick in',
as FUKSIHIMA fallout mixes with our
CHEM-trail knitted skies --
-------SEND IT TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW-------
VonMisesJr| 11.3.11 @ 11:18AM
I am the proud owner of over two-dozen of Dr. Sowell's tomes. He is our modern Von Mises or Hayek, but writes in straight-forward and understandable style. You can read his columns at www.jewishworldreview.com.
Another newer and terrific book is "Intellectuals and Society." It explores intelligence (IQ), intellect (the ability to grasp and maipulate complex ideas) and intellectuals (who's work begins and ends with ideas). Intellectual does not refer to good or valid ideas, but simply a lack of physical output.
As Orwell so aptly cited: "Some ideas are so preposterous that only an intellectual could believe them." Dr. Sowell is not one of these intellectuals, but a brilliant and logical gift to America and the world. Obama, Hillary and their progressive friends are perfect examples of intellectuals that Orwell refers to in his famous quote. Just look at teh job market, the financial markets and the economy and it is obvious.