How to Argue with a Racist: What Our Genes Do (and Don't) Say about Human Difference
Adam Rutherford
(Author)
Description
Race is not a biological reality.Racism thrives on our not knowing this. Racist pseudoscience has become so commonplace that it can be hard to spot. But its toxic effects on society are plain to see--feeding nationalism, fueling hatred, endangering lives, and corroding our discourse on everything from sports to intelligence. Even well-intentioned people repeat stereotypes based on "science," because cutting-edge genetics are hard to grasp--and all too easy to distort. Paradoxically, these misconceptions are multiplying even as scientists make unprecedented discoveries in human genetics--findings that, when accurately understood, are powerful evidence against racism. We've never had clearer answers about who we are and where we come from, but this knowledge is sorely needed in our casual conversations about race. How to Argue With a Racist emphatically dismantles outdated notions of race by illuminating what modern genetics actually can and can't tell us about human difference. We now know that the racial categories still dividing us do not align with observable genetic differences. In fact, our differences are so minute that, most of all, they serve as evidence of our shared humanity.
Product Details
Price
$21.95
$20.41
Publisher
Experiment
Publish Date
August 04, 2020
Pages
240
Dimensions
5.3 X 7.6 X 0.9 inches | 0.75 pounds
Language
English
Type
Hardcover
EAN/UPC
9781615196715
BISAC Categories:
Earn by promoting books
Earn money by sharing your favorite books through our Affiliate program.
Become an affiliate
About the Author
Adam Rutherford is the author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived. He lives in London, UK.
Reviews
An International Bestseller "A fascinating debunking of racial pseudoscience. . . . Engaging and enlightening."--The Guardian "Nobody deals with challenging subjects more interestingly and compellingly than Adam Rutherford, and this may be his best book yet. This is a seriously important work."--Bill Bryson "An earnest review proving that the concept of "race" has no basis in science. . . . An excellent overview of human genetics."--Kirkus Reviews "Smashes race myths that plague society."--New Scientist "Rutherford debunks [racism] brilliantly. What he shows, carefully and in detail, is that genetics, properly understood, doesn't support any of this disgusting nonsense."--UnHerd "A fascinating and timely refutation of the casual racism on the rise around the world. The ultimate anti-racism guide."--Caroline Criado-Perez, author of Invisible Women "Short but impactful . . . Rutherford's work provides ample ammunition to anyone wishing to use science to combat racial stereotypes."--Publishers Weekly "As timely as it is invigorating and important."--Peter Frankopan, Oxford professor of global history "Don't get frenetic when racists cite genetics: just use hard science to prove them wrong."--Evening Standard "A counter-blast to those who would use science to justify prejudice."--Tom Gatti, New Statesman "Timely and accessible."--The Bookseller, Editor's Choice "Poignant . . . A 21st-century manifesto for understanding human evolution and variation related to race. It is also a timely weapon against the misuse of science to justify bigotry and casual racism."--Cosmopolitan "This fascinating, illuminating, and original book on human evolution and development is essential reading in an age of false science, resurgent racism, and conspiracy theory--and the perfect antidote to racial bigotry."--Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and author of The Romanovs "Lucid, enlightening, witty, and delightful."--Kate Fox, codirector of the Social Issues Research Centre "Adam Rutherford is the perfect writer to arm you with evidence."--Claudia Hammond, author of Time Warped
