Rate this book

A Troublesome Inheritance: Genes, Race And Human History (2014)

by Nicholas Wade(Favorite Author)

3.54 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1594204462 (ISBN13: 9781594204463)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Penguin Press HC, The

review 1: A troublesome but thought-provoking book. The author is credible, having been science writer for the New York Times for many years and author of several good books. He lays out a plausible argument that geographical and environmental differences between continents forced slightly different evolutionary adaptations among the respective peoples, which likely drove slight differences in social behavior (trust, fairness, reciprocity are some of the main ones he describes), which then influenced the respective social institutions and cultures that those peoples evolved, which then feeds back and becomes part of the environmental context. He uses this to explain why some of the key civilizations/cultures (African, East Asian, European, Middle Eastern) cultures developed as they ... moredid, and why they are resistant to certain changes (i.e., why it is so difficult to transplant "democracy" in Africa and the Middle East). The author lays out a speculative argument, grounded in a number of relevant findings from several disciplines. While it is plausible and nominally supported by the evidence he presents, even he acknowledges the argument is only a hypothesis at this point, and he admits that no genes have been identified that would confirm the hypothesis. He is careful to admit the biological/genetic differences are small, representing about 15% of the human variation (the other 85% is due to individual variation). And he repeatedly states that genes don't "determine" human behavior, but that genetic differences simply nudge people one way or another such that, taken over a large population, can lead to cultural and institutional differences between societies. Wade has essentially stepped forward as "devil's advocate" and taken the skeleton out of the closet to lay out a very risky proposition - one that ultimately places his career and reputation in jeopardy. He lays it out there for other minds to analyze, test, shoot at, and ultimately either confirm or reject. That's how science works. I imagine it will take quite a few years to before the verdict is in. The book was very readable, and the evidence was reasonably presented. It was a little repetitive (presumably to help overcome some of the resistance he undoubtedly expected), and there are obvious holes. However, I found it stimulating, and while Wade certainly didn't convince me, he brought the subject out of the closet and moved the needle, so to speak.
review 2: This book examines the connection (In Wade's opinion) between racial genetics and social behavior. I was oddly intrigued when I saw this guy on one of the late night shows (Colbert? Stewart?), and decided to read his book. I don't know how I feel about his premise, but the material made me think. And think some more. I know that most of us want to believe in nurture instead of nature when it comes to human behavior, and of course I lean that way, but every now and then someone presents an argument that leads me to reconsider. This book is controversial; many have denounced it as racist garbage. I personally don't believe that the author's arguments are very scientific, but then again, I don't believe sociology is a science. Wade has voiced a possibility that many of us have considered, but not mentioned in public. Maybe we should have conversations about these theories. less

Download links for: A Troublesome Inheritance: Genes, Race and Human History

Advertising