Maverick: A Biography of Thomas Sowell by Jason L. Riley
Thomas Sowell, born in 1930, is perhaps the greatest economist and social theorist of our age. He is the author of more than 45 books, covering topics from economic history and social inequality to political philosophy, race, migration, and culture.
Jason L. Riley, the author, does a masterful job of describing Sowell’s mindset and integrity. Sowell doesn’t back down from empirical data, facts, and logic.
Years ago, I read Sowell’s Culture trilogy: Race and Culture: A World View (1994), Migrations and Cultures: A World View (1996), and Conquests and Cultures: An International History (1998). I was very impressed by the breadth of his thoughts, the integration of many facts, and the clarity with which he presented them. And not only that, but his analysis and conclusions were based on facts and data, not on unsubstantiated opinions. He is a role model of thinking for yourself combined with using reason and the facts of reality. So, when this first-ever biography came out, I was eager to read it.
I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.
From a 5-star review on Amazon
If you have watched videos of Thomas Sowell’s speeches or interviews, you probably have an impression of a humble and ingratiating man. So he seems, but don’t be misled. Gaze at the intimidating photo on the dust jacket. That is the real Thomas Sowell: steel-hard and surpassingly self-assured.
From an early age, he took no guff, from condescending teachers, Marine Corps sergeants, Ivy League deans, pedantic editors, or even heavyweight mentors like George Stigler and Milton Friedman, whom he revered, but never bowed before. At the same time, he appears to carry no measure of anger or malice.
Jason Riley’s fine book is more an intellectual profile than a true biography. It does recount enough of Sowell’s life to help us understand this singular man. Born into poverty in Jim Crow North Carolina, where he lived until age eight. Then Harlem, where he attended an outstanding black high school but dropped out, drifted from menial job to job, had a stint in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, and finally got his GED, qualifying him to enter all-black Howard University.
His innate brilliance (NOT affirmative action) got him transferred to Harvard (BA Magna Cum Laude). Then a Master’s at Columbia, Ph.D. at Chicago. A Marxist until his thirties–even while taking Friedman’s legendary Price Theory course. Asked why he changed, he answered with one word: “facts.” At every stage, he was his own free-standing and determined self.
Almost every mainstream reference to Sowell puts “controversial” next to his name, signaling to certain quarters that his works should be deemed not quite respectable. The truth is the opposite. Discourse founded on evidence and rigor is the essence of respectability.
From another 5-star review on Amazon
Not really a biography per se of his life but more capturing the main themes of his prolific thinking and writing. What I love about Thomas Sowell is his hard work, his analytical ability, and his unconcern for being popular.
In today’s world of talking heads who claim things are right just because they are, Sowell has the audacity to use data to support his arguments and talks about the difference between correlation and causality.
I love that he tries to get to the truth as opposed to just supporting a narrative. His writing has foreshadowed many of the things we are seeing today. I hope more people will read. I also appreciate how he focuses on identity politics and the concerns it generates. I think identity with a group is important but so is individual accountability and responsibility. Those should never be overlooked and are a big focus for Sowell.