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Superior
- The Return of Race Science
- Narrated by: Angela Saini
- Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
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Superior
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Summary
'We can draw lines across the world any way we choose, and in the history of race science, people have. What matters isn’t where the lines are drawn, but what they mean.'
Modern science is pivotal in our understanding of race - not because of the lines that thinkers through the centuries have chosen to trace but because, once grouped, what they thought belonging to these groups signified.
In Superior, award-winning science writer Angela Saini explores the concept of race, both past and present. At its heart, race is the belief that we are born different, in character and intellectually as well as in appearance. It’s the notion that as groups of people we have certain innate qualities that are not only visible but which may also have helped define the passage of progress, of the success and failure of the nations our ancestors came from.
But modern science has moved on from these beliefs, finding reality to be much more complicated. Taking us from Darwin through the civil rights movement to 23andMe, Saini examines how deeply our present is influenced by our past and the role that politics has so often had to play in our understanding of race. Superior is a rigorous, much needed examination of the insidious history and damaging consequences of race science - and the unfortunate reasons behind its apparent recent resurgence across the globe.
Critic reviews
"In this essential book, Angela Saini deftly shows how science and racism have long been intertwined, why that pernicious history continues to this day, and why 'race science' is so deeply flawed. Deeply researched, masterfully written, and sorely needed, Superior is an exceptional work by one of the world's best science writers." (Ed Yong)
"This is an essential book on an urgent topic by one of our most authoritative science writers." (Sathnam Sanghera)
This is an urgent and important book. It contains a warning: you thought racism might be on its way out of science? You thought wrong." (Observer)
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- ventouse
- 10-01-20
An eye-opening read.
This book should be read by all kids/teenagers at school. It's a crime against humanity to not read this book to your kid, family and friends. It was an eye-opener. We, Humans, are complicit in our ignorance... and I am a research scientist!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Nia7x
- 10-07-20
Wow!
Angela Saini handled a traumatising subject with great sensitivity and flair. I learned so much from this book.
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- Bennett Gaverne
- 30-05-19
This is a great book
I think everyone should read this book. It is a modern masterpiece. Angela Saini has written something here that will stand the test of time.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Matthew Ungaro-Wright
- 19-08-19
Superior read
Absolutely loved it! The author has really done her home work on the topic covering a wide range of views on such a hot subject.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Miss Rachel Brackenridge
- 28-08-20
Everyone should read this book.
Well written, and well narrated audiobook. Very important message exceptionally presented in an engaging way.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sara Lincoln
- 28-06-19
Superb
One of the best audio books I have ever listened to. Helped me to understand research, as well as the topic. I currently want to buy this for my friends and those who I think misunderstand the way evidence is used in policy.
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- David & Maria
- 11-06-19
Fantastic review of race science
Angela Saini has written a fantastic review of the history and development of race science. Looking at the key findings that have shaped the area, Saini demonstrates how the researchers' naivete and even cognitive biases have led a series of scientists to draw fallacious conclusions from limited data, and how any such discoveries have been promoted by groups with political interest in demonstrating the superiority of their own 'race'. I bought the audiobook, which is narrated by the author who has a pleasant, soothing voice, and calm even through the rather moving Afterword, which was my favourite part.
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- Michael Sinclair
- 09-09-21
essential reading
this book collates a vast amount of information on race science and presents it in an easily digestible format. it is not overly political, and simply shows how the science supporting a biologic concept of race is flawed. Great examples of structural and systemic racism. This book is a force for good.
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- LOLA
- 12-02-20
Great but lacking
This was a brilliant and incisive book however from Chapter 8 onwards the analysis felt really lacking. Saini rushes through cultural explanations and more contemporary race science only giving superficial dismissals to these arguments instead of giving the more watertight analysis and rebuttals she did in the earlier chapters.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Miller
- 10-09-20
A Mind Blowing Must Read
After a long search to find a book that deconstructs ‘Race’ I feel I’ve hit the jackpot with this one. A brilliant discourse on the history and science around the views we hold and how this has shaped our past and present.
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