How to Argue with a Racist: What Our Genes Do (and Don't) Say about Human Difference
Adam Rutherford
(Author)
21,000+ Reviews
Bookshop.org has the highest-rated customer service of any bookstore in the world
Description
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knowledge is sorely needed in our casual conversations about race.How to Argue With a Racist emphatically dismantles outdated notions of race by illuminating what modern genetics actually can and can't tell us about human difference.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 a science writer and broadcaster. He is an editor at Nature, writes for the Guardian, and regularly presents programs for BBC Radio 4 in the UK. He has also presented several acclaimed science series for BBC television, including the award-winning three-part series The Cell. A geneticist by training, he has a PhD from University College London.
Reviews
An International Bestseller
One of New Scientist's 13 Best Science and Technology Books of 2020
A Goodreads Choice Awards Best Book of 2020, Science & Technology, Runner Up
One of BBC Science Focus Magazine's 28 Best Nonfiction Books of 2020
One of Big Think's 10 Best Science and Technology Books of 2020
A Daily Telegraph Book of the Year
"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
A fascinating debunking of racial pseudoscience . . . engaging and enlightening.--Manjit Kumar, 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
This book [shows] that race is biologically meaningless and that modern genetic science is a racist's worst enemy, [revealing] that you are related to royalty, that every Nazi had Jewish ancestors and that you share no DNA with half your ancestors. An essential book on a critical issue.--David Olusoga, professor of public history at the University of Manchester
Smashes race myths that plague society.--Layal Liverpool, New Scientist
[Proves] that the concept of 'race' has no basis in science . . . an excellent overview of human genetics.-- "Kirkus Reviews"
A book that could save lives.--Kathryn Paige Harden, The Spectator
Rutherford equips readers with the tools to discredit the prejudices of both racists and well-intentioned people. Despite its fraught history, scientists' understanding of genes has long since converged on one truth: race, while very real as a social construct, has no foundation in science.--Scott Hershberger, Scientific American
Short but impactful. . . . Rutherford's work provides ample ammunition to anyone wishing to use science to combat racial stereotypes.-- "Publishers Weekly"
Bringing together compelling stories, irreverent humor, and informed science reporting, Rutherford debunks some of the most pernicious myths and fallacies about race. . . . Recommended. All readers.-- "Choice"
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
As timely as it is invigorating and important.--Peter Frankopan, professor of global history at the University of Oxford
Lucid, enlightening, witty, and delightful.--Kate Fox, codirector of the Social Issues Research Centre
A counter-blast to those who would use science to justify prejudice.--Tom Gatti, New Statesman
Timely and accessible.-- "The Bookseller, Editor's Choice"
One of New Scientist's 13 Best Science and Technology Books of 2020
A Goodreads Choice Awards Best Book of 2020, Science & Technology, Runner Up
One of BBC Science Focus Magazine's 28 Best Nonfiction Books of 2020
One of Big Think's 10 Best Science and Technology Books of 2020
A Daily Telegraph Book of the Year
"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
A fascinating debunking of racial pseudoscience . . . engaging and enlightening.--Manjit Kumar, 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
This book [shows] that race is biologically meaningless and that modern genetic science is a racist's worst enemy, [revealing] that you are related to royalty, that every Nazi had Jewish ancestors and that you share no DNA with half your ancestors. An essential book on a critical issue.--David Olusoga, professor of public history at the University of Manchester
Smashes race myths that plague society.--Layal Liverpool, New Scientist
[Proves] that the concept of 'race' has no basis in science . . . an excellent overview of human genetics.-- "Kirkus Reviews"
A book that could save lives.--Kathryn Paige Harden, The Spectator
Rutherford equips readers with the tools to discredit the prejudices of both racists and well-intentioned people. Despite its fraught history, scientists' understanding of genes has long since converged on one truth: race, while very real as a social construct, has no foundation in science.--Scott Hershberger, Scientific American
Short but impactful. . . . Rutherford's work provides ample ammunition to anyone wishing to use science to combat racial stereotypes.-- "Publishers Weekly"
Bringing together compelling stories, irreverent humor, and informed science reporting, Rutherford debunks some of the most pernicious myths and fallacies about race. . . . Recommended. All readers.-- "Choice"
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
As timely as it is invigorating and important.--Peter Frankopan, professor of global history at the University of Oxford
Lucid, enlightening, witty, and delightful.--Kate Fox, codirector of the Social Issues Research Centre
A counter-blast to those who would use science to justify prejudice.--Tom Gatti, New Statesman
Timely and accessible.-- "The Bookseller, Editor's Choice"
