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yorgos_a's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute must-read, especially if you work in human genetic variation like me. Apart from providing a thorough account of the origins of race science, the author does a great job helping us realise how racist discourse can infiltrate seemingly innocuous scientific research. This book should become an obligatory read at school. Highly recommended
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Genocide
softiereads's review
5.0
Crazy look into how “race science” has persisted, really deconstructs how we look at race and what it means and doesn’t mean
hollyleaf's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Fantastic and important book. I'd read Inferior in 2020, on the same theme but around sexism, and have been meaning to get around to this one since finding out it existed. As frustrating a read as the first, in that brilliant, important way.
I feel more than slightly validated in my belief that all fields of study need to be interdisciplinary. I have mostly being saying this about history, as historians are consistently tricked by misunderstanding or abuse of statistics, but the refrain throughout this book is the failure of this entire scientific field to even consider that the answer to these inequalities come not from biology but from sociology and history. They keep returning to the same issue over and over again because they have a hammer and insist that race is a nail. They are almost like flat earthers in the sense that it doesn't matter how many times they prove themselves wrong, they are determined that race is a biological rather than sociological reality, and insist that with just a little more research they will be able to prove it even with the mounting body of evidence to the contrary.
The damage they cause, even when their research is well-intentioned, is sustaining a strain of ideological thought that ought to be dead ten times over. The horror that comes from this is not history, it is present reality.
I feel more than slightly validated in my belief that all fields of study need to be interdisciplinary. I have mostly being saying this about history, as historians are consistently tricked by misunderstanding or abuse of statistics, but the refrain throughout this book is the failure of this entire scientific field to even consider that the answer to these inequalities come not from biology but from sociology and history. They keep returning to the same issue over and over again because they have a hammer and insist that race is a nail. They are almost like flat earthers in the sense that it doesn't matter how many times they prove themselves wrong, they are determined that race is a biological rather than sociological reality, and insist that with just a little more research they will be able to prove it even with the mounting body of evidence to the contrary.
The damage they cause, even when their research is well-intentioned, is sustaining a strain of ideological thought that ought to be dead ten times over. The horror that comes from this is not history, it is present reality.
sturgeonfish's review
5.0
absolutely FANTASTIC, comprehensive and eye opening book written in language very accessible to the layperson and not too jargon-y whatsoever. i'm extremely excited to read angela saini's other book, this was so so frank and insightful and informative. cannot say enough good things.
“There are plenty of ignorant racists, but the problem is not just ignorance. The problem is that, even when people know the facts, not everyone actually wants an end to racial inequality. Some would rather things stayed the way they are, or even went backward. And this means that those committed to the biological reality of race won’t back down if the data prove them wrong. There’s no incentive for them to admit intellectual defeat. They will just keep reaching for fresher, more elaborate theories when the old ones fail. If skin color doesn’t explain racial inequality, then maybe the structure of our brains and bodies will. If not anatomy, then maybe our genes. When then this, too, produces nothing of value, they will reach for the next thing. All this intellectual jumping through hoops to maintain the status quo. All this to prove what they have always really wanted to know: that they are superior.
Well, keep reaching, keep reaching. One day there will be nothing left to reach for.”
Excerpt
“There are plenty of ignorant racists, but the problem is not just ignorance. The problem is that, even when people know the facts, not everyone actually wants an end to racial inequality. Some would rather things stayed the way they are, or even went backward. And this means that those committed to the biological reality of race won’t back down if the data prove them wrong. There’s no incentive for them to admit intellectual defeat. They will just keep reaching for fresher, more elaborate theories when the old ones fail. If skin color doesn’t explain racial inequality, then maybe the structure of our brains and bodies will. If not anatomy, then maybe our genes. When then this, too, produces nothing of value, they will reach for the next thing. All this intellectual jumping through hoops to maintain the status quo. All this to prove what they have always really wanted to know: that they are superior.
Well, keep reaching, keep reaching. One day there will be nothing left to reach for.”
Excerpt
potatoaficionado's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.25
Some parts, especially around earlier race science and eugenics, seemed to get a little redundant and started to lose my interest. The last third really picked up though, and made me glad I'd read it.
I especially liked the sections on how companies like 23 & Me fit into the story, and the argument that race science doesn't always need to convince the general public - it just lurks until a politician or movement comes along to champion it.
I especially liked the sections on how companies like 23 & Me fit into the story, and the argument that race science doesn't always need to convince the general public - it just lurks until a politician or movement comes along to champion it.