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Why Black People Die Sooner: What Medicine Gets Wrong About Race and How to Fix It
There is a persistent gap in life expectancy between Black people and their white counterparts in the United States. It is a direct result of structural racism within American society and has nothing to do with genetic differences. In past eras, scientific racism sought to shift the blame to the supposed physical inferiority of people of African descent. Even today, medicine labors under false beliefs derived from nineteenth-century racial thinking, harming patients who are not of European descent.
Why Black People Die Sooner is a powerful and rigorous examination of the ways racism shapes health and disease. Joseph L. Graves Jr. demonstrates that the medical profession still fails to grasp basic facts about race, tracing how deep-rooted falsehoods have perpetuated the disparity between Black and white lifespans. He equips readers with the tools to dispel the fallacies and errors of racialized medicine, including an understanding of evolutionary biology and human biological variation. Graves also debunks common misconceptions about race and health on topics such as high blood pressure, sickle cell disease, the microbiome, infectious diseases, and cancer. Why Black People Die Sooner closes by offering a sweeping vision for dismantling medical racism, from professional training to clinical practice through biomedical research. Timely and bracing, this book reveals why medicine keeps misunderstanding race—and how we can make it change.
Why Black People Die Sooner is a powerful and rigorous examination of the ways racism shapes health and disease. Joseph L. Graves Jr. demonstrates that the medical profession still fails to grasp basic facts about race, tracing how deep-rooted falsehoods have perpetuated the disparity between Black and white lifespans. He equips readers with the tools to dispel the fallacies and errors of racialized medicine, including an understanding of evolutionary biology and human biological variation. Graves also debunks common misconceptions about race and health on topics such as high blood pressure, sickle cell disease, the microbiome, infectious diseases, and cancer. Why Black People Die Sooner closes by offering a sweeping vision for dismantling medical racism, from professional training to clinical practice through biomedical research. Timely and bracing, this book reveals why medicine keeps misunderstanding race—and how we can make it change.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published November 11, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC/ARC.
This was an incredibly interesting and educative read, well-sourced and written in an accessible language so that also people who do not have a medical or biology background are able to understand most of the information. At times, it did feel more like "how diseases happen 101", with only very little focus on Black people specifically and the health disparities caused by the sociopoliticoeconomic environment, which was a bit of a pity, as that was what I ultimately picked this book up for. I would have hoped for a lot more of an exploration of health disparities, and for the author to assume that the reader already knows the basics about how diseases happen, or if not knows how to educate themselves on the matter.
One thing that bothered me was the writing style, which was at times inconsistent. This did not always read like an academic work, with the author sometimes sounding a bit "preachy" and like he was justifying what he wrote to the audience rather than repeating facts, while at other times a paragraph would be packed with information and citations, collecting a lot of important information at once. A more even spread of the medical information, and less of a justification for why the author is sharing facts with us, when he has already plenty explained himself in the introduction, would have been preferred. This also didn't read like an academic text, and veered very much into a kind of dumbed-down popular science direction, which has its merit but is not something I expect from a university press (which is where this book was originally published - the audiobook version under Brilliance publishing gets a bit more leeway from me here).
Another aspect that I personally didn't like, or think was somewhat badly chosen, was the author sometimes asking suggestive questions (such as "Why would the first sapiens that evolve be inferior to those who would evolve later?", answering the question himself with "There is no reason because Africans are not inferior", which is a statement I agree with, but if we're being honest, it would be VERY easy to find an answer to that question), which again falls a bit into the preachy vibe I got at times, especially with questions that would allow for a disagreeing answer which the author simply fails to acknowledge or address. This, I think, weakened the authors argumentation, rather than support it, which was a bit of a shame.
I'm really sad that I was kind of disappointed by this book, but I just really don't feel like it met my personal expectations, which might be due to the way it was summarised, or it might be because I just defaulted to assuming a more social science-y approach as that is my area of study.
This was an incredibly interesting and educative read, well-sourced and written in an accessible language so that also people who do not have a medical or biology background are able to understand most of the information. At times, it did feel more like "how diseases happen 101", with only very little focus on Black people specifically and the health disparities caused by the sociopoliticoeconomic environment, which was a bit of a pity, as that was what I ultimately picked this book up for. I would have hoped for a lot more of an exploration of health disparities, and for the author to assume that the reader already knows the basics about how diseases happen, or if not knows how to educate themselves on the matter.
One thing that bothered me was the writing style, which was at times inconsistent. This did not always read like an academic work, with the author sometimes sounding a bit "preachy" and like he was justifying what he wrote to the audience rather than repeating facts, while at other times a paragraph would be packed with information and citations, collecting a lot of important information at once. A more even spread of the medical information, and less of a justification for why the author is sharing facts with us, when he has already plenty explained himself in the introduction, would have been preferred. This also didn't read like an academic text, and veered very much into a kind of dumbed-down popular science direction, which has its merit but is not something I expect from a university press (which is where this book was originally published - the audiobook version under Brilliance publishing gets a bit more leeway from me here).
Another aspect that I personally didn't like, or think was somewhat badly chosen, was the author sometimes asking suggestive questions (such as "Why would the first sapiens that evolve be inferior to those who would evolve later?", answering the question himself with "There is no reason because Africans are not inferior", which is a statement I agree with, but if we're being honest, it would be VERY easy to find an answer to that question), which again falls a bit into the preachy vibe I got at times, especially with questions that would allow for a disagreeing answer which the author simply fails to acknowledge or address. This, I think, weakened the authors argumentation, rather than support it, which was a bit of a shame.
I'm really sad that I was kind of disappointed by this book, but I just really don't feel like it met my personal expectations, which might be due to the way it was summarised, or it might be because I just defaulted to assuming a more social science-y approach as that is my area of study.
May 20, 2026
Audiobook Review: Why Black People Die Sooner by Joseph L. Graves Jr.
As a healthcare provider, I found Why Black People Die Sooner by Joseph L. Graves Jr. to be a thoughtful and worthwhile examination of health disparities in the United States. Graves approaches the topic from the perspective of an evolutionary biologist and geneticist rather than a physician, and I think that distinction is important. He clearly knows the scientific literature well, particularly in genetics, biochemistry, public health, and race science, even though he does not come from a clinical background.
The book is heavily rooted in research, especially when discussing life expectancy gaps, hypertension, racial bias in medical assumptions, and the historical misuse of race in medicine. At the same time, Graves’ personal perspective is present throughout the book. He is clearly passionate about the subject, and there are moments where his frustration with systemic inequities comes through strongly. Personally, I did not think that weakened the book. The bias felt transparent rather than misleading, and the overall message remained thoughtful and well-intentioned rather than divisive.
What I appreciated most was the way the book challenges healthcare professionals to think more critically about how race is used in medicine. Some of the discussions around medical algorithms and race-based assumptions in treatment were especially compelling. Even when I occasionally felt certain points were framed a bit too broadly, the book consistently encouraged deeper reflection instead of offering simplistic answers.
As an audiobook, it was engaging and informative without becoming overly technical. I would recommend it to healthcare workers, students, and readers interested in public health or medical ethics. Whether or not someone agrees with every conclusion Graves makes, I think the book succeeds in opening an important conversation about medicine, equity, and the difference between race as a social construct versus a biological shortcut.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC.
As a healthcare provider, I found Why Black People Die Sooner by Joseph L. Graves Jr. to be a thoughtful and worthwhile examination of health disparities in the United States. Graves approaches the topic from the perspective of an evolutionary biologist and geneticist rather than a physician, and I think that distinction is important. He clearly knows the scientific literature well, particularly in genetics, biochemistry, public health, and race science, even though he does not come from a clinical background.
The book is heavily rooted in research, especially when discussing life expectancy gaps, hypertension, racial bias in medical assumptions, and the historical misuse of race in medicine. At the same time, Graves’ personal perspective is present throughout the book. He is clearly passionate about the subject, and there are moments where his frustration with systemic inequities comes through strongly. Personally, I did not think that weakened the book. The bias felt transparent rather than misleading, and the overall message remained thoughtful and well-intentioned rather than divisive.
What I appreciated most was the way the book challenges healthcare professionals to think more critically about how race is used in medicine. Some of the discussions around medical algorithms and race-based assumptions in treatment were especially compelling. Even when I occasionally felt certain points were framed a bit too broadly, the book consistently encouraged deeper reflection instead of offering simplistic answers.
As an audiobook, it was engaging and informative without becoming overly technical. I would recommend it to healthcare workers, students, and readers interested in public health or medical ethics. Whether or not someone agrees with every conclusion Graves makes, I think the book succeeds in opening an important conversation about medicine, equity, and the difference between race as a social construct versus a biological shortcut.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC.
June 5, 2026
I found this book to be SO intriguing. Of course, the title immediate grabs your attention. Graves has put so much time and energy into researching this book. He does a wonderful job at breaking down different medical scenarios and explaining where the theory came from and why it is incorrect from a genealogist's perspective. I found the chapter on Cancer to be very interesting. Graves gets very technical and digs deep into the details. It can be easy to get lost in that, but he's just further proving his point. Black people die sooner due to the structural racism we all built. Environment plays a huge factor. Those living in impoverished areas are more likely to suffer with health issues, however, most of those people either don't have any health insurance or they are on government assistance which has its limitations. Drugs and treatment are very expensive, so only those with good (most likely private) insurance can afford the proper care necessary to live a long and healthy life. Its not about genetics at all, it's about race and class of America. This book taught me a lot. If you are in the medical field, I feel like this book would be right up your alley! Graves is a great writer and knows his stuff.
May 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Joseph L. Graves Jr., Brilliance Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Why Black People Die Sooner: What Medicine Gets Wrong About Race and How to Fix It is an incredible and thought-provoking deep dive into social determinants of health and the disparities many individuals continue to face within the medical system. This is not a light or casual read, and it will not be for everyone, as it reads more like a textbook at times. However, the information presented is invaluable and incredibly important.
Having worked in the healthcare field for several years, I have unfortunately witnessed firsthand the discrimination and inequities experienced by certain racial groups. This book does an excellent job of highlighting the ways prejudice has been embedded within medicine, especially through the education and training of medical providers. Graves carefully examines both historical and modern systems that have contributed to harmful misconceptions about Black individuals, tracing many of these ideas back to European colonial and scientific beliefs.
At times, the content is heartbreaking, but avoiding these conversations only allows the problems to continue. The historical context combined with current healthcare realities makes this a powerful and necessary read. I highly recommend this book to anyone working in healthcare, mental health, education, or related fields. It is an important work that deserves attention and discussion.
Thank you to Joseph L. Graves Jr., Brilliance Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Why Black People Die Sooner: What Medicine Gets Wrong About Race and How to Fix It is an incredible and thought-provoking deep dive into social determinants of health and the disparities many individuals continue to face within the medical system. This is not a light or casual read, and it will not be for everyone, as it reads more like a textbook at times. However, the information presented is invaluable and incredibly important.
Having worked in the healthcare field for several years, I have unfortunately witnessed firsthand the discrimination and inequities experienced by certain racial groups. This book does an excellent job of highlighting the ways prejudice has been embedded within medicine, especially through the education and training of medical providers. Graves carefully examines both historical and modern systems that have contributed to harmful misconceptions about Black individuals, tracing many of these ideas back to European colonial and scientific beliefs.
At times, the content is heartbreaking, but avoiding these conversations only allows the problems to continue. The historical context combined with current healthcare realities makes this a powerful and necessary read. I highly recommend this book to anyone working in healthcare, mental health, education, or related fields. It is an important work that deserves attention and discussion.
May 23, 2026
This nonfiction covers medical racism from its inception and how those inaccuracies still permeate today. The author broke down the history well and analyzed specific medical issues within the U.S. and the world. The incorporation of how politics plays a role was emphasized both in the past and within the current presidency.
The author had a mix of breaking ideas or concepts down into small chunks for better understanding but wasn’t afraid to dive deep in the history, illegitimate research, and ways to fix the problem as we go into the future. I was a fan audiobook narrator as well.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC!
The author had a mix of breaking ideas or concepts down into small chunks for better understanding but wasn’t afraid to dive deep in the history, illegitimate research, and ways to fix the problem as we go into the future. I was a fan audiobook narrator as well.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🎧 Audiobook Review — Why Black People Die Sooner (3.5/5)
By Joseph L. Graves Jr. | Narrated by Sean Crisden
My take:
I genuinely enjoyed this audiobook. As a Black listener, it hit differently hearing someone speak plainly and scientifically about why the life‑expectancy gap between Black and white Americans exists. Graves makes it clear: the gap is a direct result of structural racism, not genetics.
That alone made this worth the listen for me.
⭐️ What I Appreciated
- The topic is essential and overdue.
Graves lays out how medicine still leans on outdated, 19th‑century racial assumptions that harm non‑white patients today.
- It’s accessible on purpose.
The book is written so people without a medical or biology background can follow the science ...which means it can reach listeners beyond African‑American audiences. That matters if we want change.
- It’s structured around real issues.
The chapters cover hypertension myths, sickle cell disease, the microbiome, infectious disease, cancer, and even how medical algorithms can reinforce bias.
- You can feel the intention.
Graves wants listeners to understand not just the “what,” but the “why” behind racialized medicine — and how to dismantle it.
🎙️ Narrator Spotlight — Sean Crisden deserves his own star
Sean Crisden absolutely elevates this audiobook.
His narration is:
- smooth and steady,
- emotionally grounded,
- clear without being clinical,
- engaged without overperforming the science.
Even when Graves dives deep into evolutionary biology or disease mechanics, Crisden keeps the pacing warm and digestible. He brings a calm authority that makes the material feel trustworthy and human. Honestly, he’s a big part of why this audiobook works as well as it does.
🌱 More Nuance of my rating
My 3.5 rating isn’t about the book failing, it’s about what I personally hoped for versus the scientific lens Graves chose.
- It leans heavily into the biology — and that makes sense.
Graves is an evolutionary biologist and botanist by training, so his approach is rooted in explaining how diseases work before connecting them to racial disparities. That’s his lane, and he stays in it. But sometimes I wanted the book to linger longer on the social, political, and structural forces shaping Black health outcomes.
(The publisher summary confirms this scientific focus — he equips readers with evolutionary biology tools to debunk racialized medicine. )
- The tone shifts at times.
Some sections feel academic and citation‑heavy; others feel more conversational or reflective. Not bad, just uneven.
- A few rhetorical moments felt more guiding than analytical.
Not incorrect, just stylistically noticeable.
None of this took away from the value of the book it just shaped how I experienced it.
🎧 Overall Experience
This is an important, thoughtful audiobook that shines a light on a topic too often ignored or oversimplified. I learned a lot, I felt seen, and I appreciated the way Graves breaks things down so that anyone not just Black listeners, not just people in medicine can understand the stakes.
And with Sean Crisden narrating? It’s absolutely worth the listen.
Final rating: 3.5/5.
A meaningful listen with a scientific lens, a compassionate heart, and a narrator who truly brings it to life.
By Joseph L. Graves Jr. | Narrated by Sean Crisden
My take:
I genuinely enjoyed this audiobook. As a Black listener, it hit differently hearing someone speak plainly and scientifically about why the life‑expectancy gap between Black and white Americans exists. Graves makes it clear: the gap is a direct result of structural racism, not genetics.
That alone made this worth the listen for me.
⭐️ What I Appreciated
- The topic is essential and overdue.
Graves lays out how medicine still leans on outdated, 19th‑century racial assumptions that harm non‑white patients today.
- It’s accessible on purpose.
The book is written so people without a medical or biology background can follow the science ...which means it can reach listeners beyond African‑American audiences. That matters if we want change.
- It’s structured around real issues.
The chapters cover hypertension myths, sickle cell disease, the microbiome, infectious disease, cancer, and even how medical algorithms can reinforce bias.
- You can feel the intention.
Graves wants listeners to understand not just the “what,” but the “why” behind racialized medicine — and how to dismantle it.
🎙️ Narrator Spotlight — Sean Crisden deserves his own star
Sean Crisden absolutely elevates this audiobook.
His narration is:
- smooth and steady,
- emotionally grounded,
- clear without being clinical,
- engaged without overperforming the science.
Even when Graves dives deep into evolutionary biology or disease mechanics, Crisden keeps the pacing warm and digestible. He brings a calm authority that makes the material feel trustworthy and human. Honestly, he’s a big part of why this audiobook works as well as it does.
🌱 More Nuance of my rating
My 3.5 rating isn’t about the book failing, it’s about what I personally hoped for versus the scientific lens Graves chose.
- It leans heavily into the biology — and that makes sense.
Graves is an evolutionary biologist and botanist by training, so his approach is rooted in explaining how diseases work before connecting them to racial disparities. That’s his lane, and he stays in it. But sometimes I wanted the book to linger longer on the social, political, and structural forces shaping Black health outcomes.
(The publisher summary confirms this scientific focus — he equips readers with evolutionary biology tools to debunk racialized medicine. )
- The tone shifts at times.
Some sections feel academic and citation‑heavy; others feel more conversational or reflective. Not bad, just uneven.
- A few rhetorical moments felt more guiding than analytical.
Not incorrect, just stylistically noticeable.
None of this took away from the value of the book it just shaped how I experienced it.
🎧 Overall Experience
This is an important, thoughtful audiobook that shines a light on a topic too often ignored or oversimplified. I learned a lot, I felt seen, and I appreciated the way Graves breaks things down so that anyone not just Black listeners, not just people in medicine can understand the stakes.
And with Sean Crisden narrating? It’s absolutely worth the listen.
Final rating: 3.5/5.
A meaningful listen with a scientific lens, a compassionate heart, and a narrator who truly brings it to life.
July 4, 2025
Book Review: Why Black People Die Sooner: What Medicine Gets Wrong About Race and How to Fix It by Joseph L. Graves Jr.
Rating: 5/5
Joseph L. Graves Jr.’s Why Black People Die Sooner is a seismic intervention in the discourse on race, medicine, and structural inequality. With the precision of a biologist and the urgency of a social justice advocate, Graves dismantles centuries of medical racism while charting a path toward equitable care. This book is not just a critique—it’s a call to arms, blending rigorous science with moral clarity.
Strengths & Emotional Impact
Graves’ masterful synthesis of evolutionary biology, history, and public health left me alternating between outrage and hope. His debunking of racialized myths—like the false linkage between hypertension and Black genetics—is revelatory. The chapter on sickle cell disease (often misrepresented as a “Black disease”) is particularly devastating, exposing how medical bias compounds suffering. I found myself pausing to sit with the weight of his evidence, especially when he reveals how algorithmic bias in diagnostics perpetuates harm.
The book’s emotional core lies in its unflinching humanity. Graves doesn’t just cite statistics; he contextualizes them within systemic violence, from slavery to redlining. His prose is accessible yet uncompromising, making complex concepts like epigenomics or microbiome disparities digestible without dilution. The concluding vision for precision medicine—rooted in equity, not race—left me galvanized.
Constructive Criticism
While Graves’ interdisciplinary approach is a strength, the sheer density of data in early chapters might overwhelm casual readers. A tighter focus on narrative storytelling (e.g., patient case studies) could amplify the book’s impact. Additionally, the solutions section, though robust, leans heavily on institutional reform; more actionable steps for individual practitioners or allies would broaden its utility.
Why It Matters
This book is essential reading for:
-Medical professionals confronting bias in practice.
-Policymakers addressing health disparities.
-Anyone who believes science can—and must—serve justice.
Graves’ work transcends academia. It’s a corrective to pseudoscience, a blueprint for reform, and, ultimately, a testament to the power of evidence-driven advocacy.
Thank you to Columbia University Press and Edelweiss for the advance copy. Graves’ voice is a beacon in the fight for health equity—a fight this book equips us all to join.
Final Verdict:
Rigor: 5/5 (Impeccable research, from Flexner Report legacies to modern epigenetics.)
Accessibility: 4/5 (Jargon-light but demands engagement.)
Impact: 5/5 (A book that will—and should—redefine medical education.)
Timeliness: 5/5 (A manifesto for our post-pandemic, anti-racist moment.)
A landmark work that proves biology, when wielded ethically, can be a force for liberation.
Rating: 5/5
Joseph L. Graves Jr.’s Why Black People Die Sooner is a seismic intervention in the discourse on race, medicine, and structural inequality. With the precision of a biologist and the urgency of a social justice advocate, Graves dismantles centuries of medical racism while charting a path toward equitable care. This book is not just a critique—it’s a call to arms, blending rigorous science with moral clarity.
Strengths & Emotional Impact
Graves’ masterful synthesis of evolutionary biology, history, and public health left me alternating between outrage and hope. His debunking of racialized myths—like the false linkage between hypertension and Black genetics—is revelatory. The chapter on sickle cell disease (often misrepresented as a “Black disease”) is particularly devastating, exposing how medical bias compounds suffering. I found myself pausing to sit with the weight of his evidence, especially when he reveals how algorithmic bias in diagnostics perpetuates harm.
The book’s emotional core lies in its unflinching humanity. Graves doesn’t just cite statistics; he contextualizes them within systemic violence, from slavery to redlining. His prose is accessible yet uncompromising, making complex concepts like epigenomics or microbiome disparities digestible without dilution. The concluding vision for precision medicine—rooted in equity, not race—left me galvanized.
Constructive Criticism
While Graves’ interdisciplinary approach is a strength, the sheer density of data in early chapters might overwhelm casual readers. A tighter focus on narrative storytelling (e.g., patient case studies) could amplify the book’s impact. Additionally, the solutions section, though robust, leans heavily on institutional reform; more actionable steps for individual practitioners or allies would broaden its utility.
Why It Matters
This book is essential reading for:
-Medical professionals confronting bias in practice.
-Policymakers addressing health disparities.
-Anyone who believes science can—and must—serve justice.
Graves’ work transcends academia. It’s a corrective to pseudoscience, a blueprint for reform, and, ultimately, a testament to the power of evidence-driven advocacy.
Thank you to Columbia University Press and Edelweiss for the advance copy. Graves’ voice is a beacon in the fight for health equity—a fight this book equips us all to join.
Final Verdict:
Rigor: 5/5 (Impeccable research, from Flexner Report legacies to modern epigenetics.)
Accessibility: 4/5 (Jargon-light but demands engagement.)
Impact: 5/5 (A book that will—and should—redefine medical education.)
Timeliness: 5/5 (A manifesto for our post-pandemic, anti-racist moment.)
A landmark work that proves biology, when wielded ethically, can be a force for liberation.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher with this free audiobook in exchange for a honest review.
Most of us have heard the statistics regarding the discrepancies of life expectancy between white people and black people. But we often don’t hear the why behind it. For generations the myths of racial inferiority and biological differences have been used as a weapon. The most disturbing thing is that many of those myths prevail today.
In Why Black People Die Sooner, author Joseph L Graves Jr delves into the structural racism and the social and environmental factors that contribute to the lower life expectancy of black people in the US. He also discusses the science behind certain biological traits such as sickle cell anemia, cancer, blood pressure and infectious diseases. I will say in parts it does get deep in the weeds with the scientific and medical jargon, but it is explained clearly and is necessary to know if you are to understand the biology and genetics pertinent to the discussion. This book does require focus but if you like medical science non fiction you will find this very interesting.
As this was an audio book, I should discuss the narrator Sean Crisden. My personal preference is that he is everything I am looking for when listening to a non-fiction audio book. While his voice has a soothing effect, he also kept well timed inflection to keep the listener’s attention.
The only real feedback is that I wish there was more talk about the systemized racism in the medical industry. As mentioned there was a lot of scientific talk which is important and while not absent from the book I would have loved more discussion on the social aspects of racism in medicine. I wouldn’t even be mad if that made the book longer.
Most of us have heard the statistics regarding the discrepancies of life expectancy between white people and black people. But we often don’t hear the why behind it. For generations the myths of racial inferiority and biological differences have been used as a weapon. The most disturbing thing is that many of those myths prevail today.
In Why Black People Die Sooner, author Joseph L Graves Jr delves into the structural racism and the social and environmental factors that contribute to the lower life expectancy of black people in the US. He also discusses the science behind certain biological traits such as sickle cell anemia, cancer, blood pressure and infectious diseases. I will say in parts it does get deep in the weeds with the scientific and medical jargon, but it is explained clearly and is necessary to know if you are to understand the biology and genetics pertinent to the discussion. This book does require focus but if you like medical science non fiction you will find this very interesting.
As this was an audio book, I should discuss the narrator Sean Crisden. My personal preference is that he is everything I am looking for when listening to a non-fiction audio book. While his voice has a soothing effect, he also kept well timed inflection to keep the listener’s attention.
The only real feedback is that I wish there was more talk about the systemized racism in the medical industry. As mentioned there was a lot of scientific talk which is important and while not absent from the book I would have loved more discussion on the social aspects of racism in medicine. I wouldn’t even be mad if that made the book longer.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC!
“Why Black People Die Sooner: What Medicine Gets Wrong About Race and How to Fix It” by Joseph L. Graves Jr. examines the ways in which racism has historically shaped and influenced how medical institutions and personnel treat and perceive Black Americans, and how these influences remain today.
I will admit, I requested the ALC for this book under a wrong impression, and therefore was not the right target audience for it. For this reason I will do something I don’t normally do, which is giving an objective rating rather than a subjective one.
I was looking for more of a historical and sociological exploration of this topic, and while this is certainly also part of this book, the main part is that of biology, chemistry, medicine. In short, science. I am unfortunately extremely uninformed on that subject area and am also not particularly good at understanding it, which is why this book was quite the struggle for me, especially as an audiobook.
The audiobook is narrated by Sean Crisden, who I felt was pleasant to listen to.
Nonetheless, if you ARE science-brained and want real scientific arguments to use when arguing with racists or advocating for yourself and other Black people in medical environments, I think this book would be absolutely right for you, and do a brilliant job of really diving deep into common issues and misconceptions, where they come from, and why they are wrong. If you aren’t super science-brained I would probably recommend picking up a physical copy or an ebook, but if you’re sufficiently knowledgeable I think the audiobook could be a good alternative way to receive this information while busy or on the move.
“Why Black People Die Sooner: What Medicine Gets Wrong About Race and How to Fix It” by Joseph L. Graves Jr. examines the ways in which racism has historically shaped and influenced how medical institutions and personnel treat and perceive Black Americans, and how these influences remain today.
I will admit, I requested the ALC for this book under a wrong impression, and therefore was not the right target audience for it. For this reason I will do something I don’t normally do, which is giving an objective rating rather than a subjective one.
I was looking for more of a historical and sociological exploration of this topic, and while this is certainly also part of this book, the main part is that of biology, chemistry, medicine. In short, science. I am unfortunately extremely uninformed on that subject area and am also not particularly good at understanding it, which is why this book was quite the struggle for me, especially as an audiobook.
The audiobook is narrated by Sean Crisden, who I felt was pleasant to listen to.
Nonetheless, if you ARE science-brained and want real scientific arguments to use when arguing with racists or advocating for yourself and other Black people in medical environments, I think this book would be absolutely right for you, and do a brilliant job of really diving deep into common issues and misconceptions, where they come from, and why they are wrong. If you aren’t super science-brained I would probably recommend picking up a physical copy or an ebook, but if you’re sufficiently knowledgeable I think the audiobook could be a good alternative way to receive this information while busy or on the move.
February 25, 2026
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy.
This book is a great breakdown of how science and medicine, which we love to see as objective, is formed by history and the opinions (and even goals) of the people doing the research. And how this has horrible consequences for Black people in the USA. The author draws both from personal and professional experience and talks to laypeople and medical experts alike.
But now, from what's keeping me from giving four stars. For one, it's non-fiction that isn't able to elevate itself from a good syllabus. The author closes chapters with "in this chapter, we saw that... In the next chapter, we will see...", and keeps referring to his other works which makes me feel like I've been slacking in class by not keeping up with the reading.
Another thing is, when you're on board with the basic premise of "the category Black in the USA is a social construct rather than a genetic one", all examples just.. fall flat in a way? The author deconstructs and breaks down wrongful assumptions about Black people in medicine, but since the premise those assumptions are based on in the first place are wrong, well, it's just a long list if things that are wrong in the USA I guess. Still eye-opening and anger inducing, but it always comes down to the same thing. Related, I'm a bit peeved the author doesn't extend the grace of "race as a social construct" to "gender and sex as a social construct".
There's also a bit of a weird unevenness between the author explaining (to me) basic concepts only to follow them up with very dense unexplained scientific concepts.
This book is a great breakdown of how science and medicine, which we love to see as objective, is formed by history and the opinions (and even goals) of the people doing the research. And how this has horrible consequences for Black people in the USA. The author draws both from personal and professional experience and talks to laypeople and medical experts alike.
But now, from what's keeping me from giving four stars. For one, it's non-fiction that isn't able to elevate itself from a good syllabus. The author closes chapters with "in this chapter, we saw that... In the next chapter, we will see...", and keeps referring to his other works which makes me feel like I've been slacking in class by not keeping up with the reading.
Another thing is, when you're on board with the basic premise of "the category Black in the USA is a social construct rather than a genetic one", all examples just.. fall flat in a way? The author deconstructs and breaks down wrongful assumptions about Black people in medicine, but since the premise those assumptions are based on in the first place are wrong, well, it's just a long list if things that are wrong in the USA I guess. Still eye-opening and anger inducing, but it always comes down to the same thing. Related, I'm a bit peeved the author doesn't extend the grace of "race as a social construct" to "gender and sex as a social construct".
There's also a bit of a weird unevenness between the author explaining (to me) basic concepts only to follow them up with very dense unexplained scientific concepts.
May 23, 2026
This book is deeply grounded in the hard sciences as it examines and dismantles myths surrounding biological race, particularly within healthcare. It is dense, well researched, and explores topics including genetics, microbiomes, population health, and evolutionary biology. The author uses these scientific frameworks to explain how institutional racism may have contributed to genetic drift and what that may mean for present-day Americans. I appreciated that he is willing to directly confront racism, falsehoods, and complicity within science and healthcare systems. He also advocates for structural changes in research, education, and clinical training for both students and current healthcare professionals.
While I enjoy the narrator’s voice, the material felt too heavy and complex for audio alone. I will buy the print edition so I can revisit certain sections more carefully. I can also see myself discussing selected chapters with my healthcare students during rotations. This would make an excellent longitudinal book club selection for medical residents, with chapters discussed over the course of a year. I have already recommended it to some colleagues.
For the dreamer in me, I enjoyed imagining his thoughts of “What would we see today if…” If the colonies never legalized black slaves versus white indentured servants? If redlining was never allowed? What would our schools, neighborhoods, healthcare systems look like? What would COVID or Hurricane Katrina have looked like?
What would we see if… today we stopped the biological myth of race? What would we see in our future?
While I enjoy the narrator’s voice, the material felt too heavy and complex for audio alone. I will buy the print edition so I can revisit certain sections more carefully. I can also see myself discussing selected chapters with my healthcare students during rotations. This would make an excellent longitudinal book club selection for medical residents, with chapters discussed over the course of a year. I have already recommended it to some colleagues.
For the dreamer in me, I enjoyed imagining his thoughts of “What would we see today if…” If the colonies never legalized black slaves versus white indentured servants? If redlining was never allowed? What would our schools, neighborhoods, healthcare systems look like? What would COVID or Hurricane Katrina have looked like?
What would we see if… today we stopped the biological myth of race? What would we see in our future?
Did Not Finish
May 2, 2026This is a thoroughly researched and well written book on the topic. If you are looking for a deep dive into medical and scientific research, this is a great book for you!
I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, I do not think I am the target audience. That is entirely my fault after seeing the publisher is the Columbia University Press. I was drawn to the title and the cover. I am interested in social justice, and I make it a point to learn about disparities and how we can overcome them. I suspect most others picking up this book will have the same mindset as me- that people are people. Going into details about studies of mayflies didn't seem necessary to the narrative. The book is dense. For someone not in a field related to medicine or science, I often felt lost while reading. I agree with what the author would write, but then it would do a deep dive into why. That is great, and there is definitely an audience for that. I suppose I was just hoping that it would look more at societal constraints versus telling me about the biology of humans (and animals).
I was generously provided with an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The narrator did a wonderful job, but the density of the material made it hard to listen to sometimes.
DNF @ 40% so no star review is being given
I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, I do not think I am the target audience. That is entirely my fault after seeing the publisher is the Columbia University Press. I was drawn to the title and the cover. I am interested in social justice, and I make it a point to learn about disparities and how we can overcome them. I suspect most others picking up this book will have the same mindset as me- that people are people. Going into details about studies of mayflies didn't seem necessary to the narrative. The book is dense. For someone not in a field related to medicine or science, I often felt lost while reading. I agree with what the author would write, but then it would do a deep dive into why. That is great, and there is definitely an audience for that. I suppose I was just hoping that it would look more at societal constraints versus telling me about the biology of humans (and animals).
I was generously provided with an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The narrator did a wonderful job, but the density of the material made it hard to listen to sometimes.
DNF @ 40% so no star review is being given
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
Why Black People Die Sooner is an enlightening book that challenges thinking on medicine and race. Graves cites studies on social determinants of health, as well as the nitty-gritty of genetics to reinforce his points. Given Graves is an evolutionary biologist, this is a science and genetics-heavy book. At times it feels too dense for audio—I sometimes lost track of acronyms or statistics while listening. However, Graves’ passion and knowledge about this topic come through clearly. Some readers may find the frank discussion of politics jarring, but Graves highlights the systematic and entrenched ways in which past politics have resulted in flawed medical research.
This was not always the most engaging audiobook (again, parts of it are very dense), but it was incredibly informative.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!
Why Black People Die Sooner is an enlightening book that challenges thinking on medicine and race. Graves cites studies on social determinants of health, as well as the nitty-gritty of genetics to reinforce his points. Given Graves is an evolutionary biologist, this is a science and genetics-heavy book. At times it feels too dense for audio—I sometimes lost track of acronyms or statistics while listening. However, Graves’ passion and knowledge about this topic come through clearly. Some readers may find the frank discussion of politics jarring, but Graves highlights the systematic and entrenched ways in which past politics have resulted in flawed medical research.
This was not always the most engaging audiobook (again, parts of it are very dense), but it was incredibly informative.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!
May 10, 2026
A harrowing, historical account with a side of education.
The author traces the reasons why African-American people in the states are more likely to get ill, stay ill, and die from illness. This is a tear-down of racist assumptions about Black people that stem from racism, slavery, colonialism, white supremacy, and their ilk. There's so many odd contradictions that make plain how biased and foolish it all is. Like Black people being physically weak to the elements ... while also having a higher threshold to pain.
My only criticism is that the text comes across as a little too stale at times.
Sean Crisden did an excellent job with the narration.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the advance copy of the audiobook.
The author traces the reasons why African-American people in the states are more likely to get ill, stay ill, and die from illness. This is a tear-down of racist assumptions about Black people that stem from racism, slavery, colonialism, white supremacy, and their ilk. There's so many odd contradictions that make plain how biased and foolish it all is. Like Black people being physically weak to the elements ... while also having a higher threshold to pain.
My only criticism is that the text comes across as a little too stale at times.
Sean Crisden did an excellent job with the narration.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the advance copy of the audiobook.
July 1, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced listening copy of this!
I thought this book was adorable. I thought in the beginning I wasn't going to like it - I thought it was very similar to so many other love stories of this kind, but the author did a great job of making it different. I love how at the end you didn't know whether the two actually stayed together or not at first.
It was suspenseful and gave pulled at your heart strings. This was an easy read. And just because this is a short story, doesn't always mean it makes it easy to finish in one sitting, but this one I couldn't stop until I was finished.
I am grateful for the opportunity to read this before it is published and I would definitely recommend it to my friends.
I would give this a 4.5. It was fun, light, and romantic!
I thought this book was adorable. I thought in the beginning I wasn't going to like it - I thought it was very similar to so many other love stories of this kind, but the author did a great job of making it different. I love how at the end you didn't know whether the two actually stayed together or not at first.
It was suspenseful and gave pulled at your heart strings. This was an easy read. And just because this is a short story, doesn't always mean it makes it easy to finish in one sitting, but this one I couldn't stop until I was finished.
I am grateful for the opportunity to read this before it is published and I would definitely recommend it to my friends.
I would give this a 4.5. It was fun, light, and romantic!
August 11, 2026
Very dense, very well-researched and well-written. Many times I felt like I was in over my head- I mean DENSE. But not at all pretentious in language, just very deeply researched, intricately woven information. Like a slightly too-large bite of good steak- delicious and nourishing but requires thorough chewing to swallow. I am an emergency room nurse and I see evidence and examples of health disparities regularly and I was fascinated to learn more about the factors behind them. I very much recommend this book to any of my colleagues in healthcare- our patients deserve informed health care providers.
June 1, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for this ARC audiobook for review. This book should be mandatory reading for all college students and especially all medical students. This book touches on all aspects of life and how racism affects the lives of Black people and shortens life spans. The author discusses medical issues such as high blood pressure and sickle cell, maternal morbidity and mortality and cancer and how the system is affected for the care and treatment of Black people.
July 14, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for the ARC. As a medical professional, I have learned about and have seen first hand the structural racism that occurs in the system. I was interested to learn a bit more about the science behind racial disparities that happen.
This book was well researched and had explicit examples of how and why this occurs. It provided first hand accounts of various examples that have happened to the author and his peers. I appreciate this book and the education it provides.
This book was well researched and had explicit examples of how and why this occurs. It provided first hand accounts of various examples that have happened to the author and his peers. I appreciate this book and the education it provides.
May 9, 2026
What really struck me listening to this is how the body of knowledge in this area is growing, year after year, but we may be going backwards in dealing with it. There's a lot of research here,and it's put in social, historical and scientific context. I highly recommend this for someone interested in medicine and inequalities in medical care.
Thanks to NetGalley I got to listen to the audiobook, and the narration is clear and well done
Thanks to NetGalley I got to listen to the audiobook, and the narration is clear and well done
June 4, 2026
This audiobook was really good. I loved how the narrator kept getting excitement in his voice in certain parts. It was full of so much information I had no idea how bad the slaves were treated all the way back to Moses. It broke my heart
The book so informational, I learned so much. It also also broke my heart and mad me very sad. I do love learning about history and learned so much. Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review
The book so informational, I learned so much. It also also broke my heart and mad me very sad. I do love learning about history and learned so much. Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review
May 31, 2026
Why Black People Die Sooner: What Medicine Gets Wrong About Race and How to Fix It by Joseph L. Graves Jr. is a phenomenal book. While it's heavy on the science and medical jargon, I, someone with no medical education whatsoever, was able to understand the majority of it. It should be required reading for everyone involved in medical research, all aspects of healthcare, and public policymaking. This book is a little bit of history, a little bit of politics, and a lot of biology put together to provide factual information meant to stamp out centuries of medical misconceptions tied to race.
I listened to the audiobook, which is excellently narrated by Sean Crisden. For a reader with no medical education, the audiobook was especially helpful.
Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for a review copy of Why Black People Die Sooner.
I listened to the audiobook, which is excellently narrated by Sean Crisden. For a reader with no medical education, the audiobook was especially helpful.
Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for a review copy of Why Black People Die Sooner.
May 9, 2026
ARC **Audiobook publishing date Jun 9, 2026 Thank you to the author and publishers for providing me a copy of the audio !!!✨️
Medical fact driven, educational, public health (very dense) and if you're interested on medical topics definitely will be easier to listen and understand.
Medical fact driven, educational, public health (very dense) and if you're interested on medical topics definitely will be easier to listen and understand.
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