Economic Facts and Fallacies
by Thomas Sowell
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Book Reviews of Economic Facts and Fallacies
Book Review: Fallacies unveiled but facts remain elusive
Summary: 3 Stars
As a first read of Thomas Sowell's work, I was impressed by the depth of information and the clarity of his writing. The organization of topics was clear and straightforward. However, if it were meant as a popular economic book, it comes across as dry due to its overtly academic style.
The main thesis of this book puts into question strongly held beliefs in urbanization, sex differences, third world versus first world differences and the like by encouraging readers to be questioning of statistics reported in the popular presses and media. Essentially, it is an exercise of spotting Simpson's paradox - where opposite associations are concluded depending on how one sliced, diced and spliced up the data.
While the reader (may) gain new insight into controversial topics drawn from group comparisons, Sowell does not provide any clear solution on how to navigate the high seas of information sifting through fallacies from something real, believable or true. His only recourse is a Fireabrand-like questioning of whatever is being presented.
While the ideas Sowell presents are not new, Economic Facts and Fallacies is certainly a courageous book in an attempt to tackle the misinformation bull by its horns, and puts to question certain held policies which may do more societal harm than good.
Book Review: Lies and Stastistics
Summary: 5 Stars
In this book Thomas Sowell shows again and again how "lies, damned lies, and statistics" are abused to buttress arguments--usually including a cry for some form of government intervention. The opening chapter alone should be required reading for anyone trying to understand the errors willfully propagated by politicians and media. Despite sharing a similar economic viewpoint much of the information was new to me. I found very interesting the different impacts of marriage on men and women, which of course made complete sense for social reasons, rather than any innate bias. Also interesting was the fact that income disparities between poorest and richest nations actually decreased over time when you compare the same countries, and not just the countries that are richest or poorest at different times. Many other interesting and illuminating facts can be found, and I would suspect most readers would be able to find something to make them think about an issue differently than they have in the past. The tone throughout is respectful and scholarly, and you may choose to disagree with some of his conclusions but as John Adams is quoted on the title page "Facts are stubborn things".Book Review: Required Reading for candidates
Summary: 5 Stars
My fantasy of having great wealth is to start a foundation that would give a book a week to every member of Congress, every state legislator, every government policymaker, every opinion columnist and every candidate. This would be the second book we'd give out. First would be Sowell's "Basic Economics." Yes, it might not do any good. I recently cited to a newspaper columnist Sowell's history of what happens to government revenues when you increase the Capital Gains tax (hint: the opposite of what's expected). The columnist told me those were "right wing facts" and he wasn't interested in any facts that supported business. Really. Too many people want to discard any facts that don't support their cherished illusions, preferring comfortable lies, which is why politicians of both parties get elected promising to do things that sound good, but hurt the majority of people they claim to be helping.
Reading Thomas Sowell would at least make it harder for them to do with a straight face. And if every voter read Sowell, it would be much harder for politicians to pander to their uninformed prejudice.
Book Review: excellent just before an election
Summary: 5 Stars
With all of the noise that comes before a presidential election, if you want to be grounded, if you want clarity, then read Thomas Sowell's newest book. Sowell provides a wealth of knowledge, on economic issues, based in facts you can further investigate.
Because this is a presidential year all issues will look very bleak to all canidates who are in the running for any political office. Any of Sowell's books are a great counterbalance to remove the unecessary emotion and blind nobility that can not produce the lofty promises made.
Sowell's newest book first defines classic fallacies to be on the look out, for the future. Also, he deals with specific issues like men and women earnings, academics, third world countries, and race. With each subject Sowell shows us classic fallacies the press or politicians will use to manipulate public perception.
Sowell makes his data and evidence very clear; therefore, if you like to go to the primary source, he'll show you how to get there, if you're a researcher.
Book Review: MORE PROOF THAT FREEDOM = WEALTH
Summary: 5 Stars
"Economic Facts and Fallacies" successfully debunks most of the fallacies used to justify the tyranny perpetrated by the fourth branch of government - the bureaucracy. Reading Mr. Sowell's book was part of the research done to write "21ST Century Common Sense" and the time was well spent. However, Mr. Sowell is too charitable towards those who would usurp our freedom and who use many of the fallacies listed in "Economic Facts and Fallacies" to that end.
These CHARLATANS routinely use such misinformation for political gain and most are much too intelligent to believe the validity of these fallacies. No wonder that those who support suppression of individual liberty and freedom hysterically denounce "Economic Facts and Fallacies".
Felton Williamson, Jr.
Author of "Common Sense - The Way Back"
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Common Sense - The Way Back