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Ever Wonder Why? And Other Controversial Essays
Thomas Sowell takes aim at a range of legal, social, racial, educational, and economic issues in this latest collection of his controversial, never boring, always thought-provoking essays. From "gun control myths" to "mealy mouth media" to "free lunch medicine," Sowell gets to the heart of the matters we all care about with his characteristically unsparing candor.
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
216 people are currently reading
910 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Sowell
90 books5,629 followersThomas Sowell is an American economist, social philosopher, and political commentator. He is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. With widely published commentary and books—and as a guest on TV and radio—he became a well-known voice in the American conservative movement as a prominent black conservative. He was a recipient of the National Humanities Medal from President George W. Bush in 2002.
Sowell was born in Gastonia, North Carolina and grew up in Harlem, New York City. Due to poverty and difficulties at home, he dropped out of Stuyvesant High School and worked various odd jobs, eventually serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. Afterward, he took night classes at Howard University and then attended Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1958. He earned a master's degree in economics from Columbia University the next year and a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago in 1968. In his academic career, he held professorships at Cornell University, Brandeis University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He has also worked at think tanks including the Urban Institute. Since 1977, he has worked at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where he is the Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow on Public Policy.
Sowell was an important figure to the conservative movement during the Reagan era, influencing fellow economist Walter E. Williams and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. He was offered a position as Federal Trade Commissioner in the Ford administration, and was considered for posts including U.S. Secretary of Education in the Reagan administration, but declined both times.
Sowell is the author of more than 45 books (including revised and new editions) on a variety of subjects including politics, economics, education and race, and he has been a syndicated columnist in more than 150 newspapers. His views are described as conservative, especially on social issues; libertarian, especially on economics; or libertarian-conservative. He has said he may be best labeled as a libertarian, though he disagrees with the "libertarian movement" on some issues, such as national defense.
Sowell was born in Gastonia, North Carolina and grew up in Harlem, New York City. Due to poverty and difficulties at home, he dropped out of Stuyvesant High School and worked various odd jobs, eventually serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. Afterward, he took night classes at Howard University and then attended Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1958. He earned a master's degree in economics from Columbia University the next year and a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago in 1968. In his academic career, he held professorships at Cornell University, Brandeis University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He has also worked at think tanks including the Urban Institute. Since 1977, he has worked at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where he is the Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow on Public Policy.
Sowell was an important figure to the conservative movement during the Reagan era, influencing fellow economist Walter E. Williams and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. He was offered a position as Federal Trade Commissioner in the Ford administration, and was considered for posts including U.S. Secretary of Education in the Reagan administration, but declined both times.
Sowell is the author of more than 45 books (including revised and new editions) on a variety of subjects including politics, economics, education and race, and he has been a syndicated columnist in more than 150 newspapers. His views are described as conservative, especially on social issues; libertarian, especially on economics; or libertarian-conservative. He has said he may be best labeled as a libertarian, though he disagrees with the "libertarian movement" on some issues, such as national defense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 19, 2019
Love reading Sowell's columns and happy to come across this collection of his works. Even though it's a bit dated from the current events from when he put it out, the lessons are still as relevant as ever. I really appreciate his arguments and historical perspective of how not only politics and government should act, but why so many problems exist today.
"Why would anyone expect better decisions to be made by third parties who pay no price for being wrong is one of the mysteries of our time"
"The time is long overdue to judge beliefs and the policies based on them by what actually works, not by what sounds good or what makes people feel good."
"Why would anyone expect better decisions to be made by third parties who pay no price for being wrong is one of the mysteries of our time"
"The time is long overdue to judge beliefs and the policies based on them by what actually works, not by what sounds good or what makes people feel good."
November 28, 2019
Collection of Mr. Sowell's columns and articles grouped by general topic (economic issues, social issues, racial issues, etc.). As with many collections of previously published work, this one gets pretty repetitive and could easily have been pared down to less than 460 pages without losing much content.
While I have significant libertarian leanings, and I'm especially sympathetic on educational issues and property rights, Mr. Sowell seemed to do much more griping and complaining than offering solutions and that got old. Then when he did offer solutions, many seemed awfully simplistic and occasionally smacked of the elitism of which he liberally accuses liberals.
Of particular interest, though, was Mr. Sowell's take on racial issues. Being a successful African-American whose views are somewhat at odds with the Democratic party, his assertions provide a refreshing counterpoint to the normal rhetoric on race.
I appreciate his emphasis on critical thinking, hard facts and the idea that "political correctness is no substitute for thought." Solid collection of libertarian thought on many topics, though after reading the first few essays in a given section you could probably just skim the rest without missing much.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
While I have significant libertarian leanings, and I'm especially sympathetic on educational issues and property rights, Mr. Sowell seemed to do much more griping and complaining than offering solutions and that got old. Then when he did offer solutions, many seemed awfully simplistic and occasionally smacked of the elitism of which he liberally accuses liberals.
Of particular interest, though, was Mr. Sowell's take on racial issues. Being a successful African-American whose views are somewhat at odds with the Democratic party, his assertions provide a refreshing counterpoint to the normal rhetoric on race.
I appreciate his emphasis on critical thinking, hard facts and the idea that "political correctness is no substitute for thought." Solid collection of libertarian thought on many topics, though after reading the first few essays in a given section you could probably just skim the rest without missing much.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
August 8, 2012
This collection of Thomas Sowell’s columns is insightful but nevertheless a bit of a disappointment after the brilliance of The Vision of the Anointed. Sowell sticks to classic conservative premises which he reuses over and over again in these short essays. While they would make good articles in a magazine or newspaper, they don’t read well in the format of a book, leaving the reader feeling that they are getting recycled material. What’s more, the brevity of the pieces leaves them many of them dangling as though they have not been thoroughly pondered. I would certainly recommend The Vision of the Anointed as a better pick for anyone interested in reading Sowell’s works.
December 24, 2018
Full of his conclusions; his other books have the data.
Thomas Sowell never fails those who look for data, rather than assumptions, to support his arguments. It’s only worth engaging with others on race, inequality, education, and economics when they have actually read Sowell, rather than merely dismissing his.
Thomas Sowell never fails those who look for data, rather than assumptions, to support his arguments. It’s only worth engaging with others on race, inequality, education, and economics when they have actually read Sowell, rather than merely dismissing his.
July 26, 2019
كتاب جيد ، يجعلك تفكر في أشياء كنت تفهمها بطريقة سيئة جراء التسطيح الإعلامي لهذه المواضيع ، جراء هيمنة اليساريين على الإعلام و تضليلهم بإستعمالهم مصطلحات مثل الحرية و المساواة و العدل .
غير أن الكاتب في رأيي شوفيني أكثر من اللازم و كلما تعلق الأمر بمن هم ليسو أمريكيين فالكاتب مع أمريكا ظالمة أو مظلومة .
غير أن الكاتب في رأيي شوفيني أكثر من اللازم و كلما تعلق الأمر بمن هم ليسو أمريكيين فالكاتب مع أمريكا ظالمة أو مظلومة .
May 11, 2019
A gem of a book,!
Once again, the master of common sense strikes a blow against stupidity. Dr Sowell is a national treasure and should be required reading in our nation's classrooms. God bless you Dr Sowell, you have done it again!
Once again, the master of common sense strikes a blow against stupidity. Dr Sowell is a national treasure and should be required reading in our nation's classrooms. God bless you Dr Sowell, you have done it again!
June 3, 2023
As someone who has enjoyed reading Thomas Sowell's work, I feel I could thoroughly enjoy this collection of his newspaper columns, but if you aren't familiar with him as an author or his work, then I'm not sure I would recommend it.
June 1, 2022
Thomas Sowell is one of very few academics that can write a 460 page book without a single page of references and still have people listen to his garbage ideas. I’ve never read so many fallacies so densely compacted into a book other than an intro to philosophy book. When he’s not ignoring an opponent’s argument and creating strawmen and ad hominem attacks, Mr. Sowell spends his time claiming “facts” are on his side but he conveniently never tells us these facts.
He can bring up some valid points occasionally. Points I would like to learn more about, however his ignorance of even basic argumentation is astonishing. He throws nothing but hate toward academics but loves Peter Baur, and Friedman. He also overlooks that he too is an academic so that leaves us to believe he only dislikes the academics that disagree with him. So why are the personal attacks needed? Next he loves bringing up supposed slogans that the left loves without a shred of evidence that such a slogan is used by influential people on the left.
He spends a majority of the book avoiding his own arguments for policy issues and instead attacks strawmen positions.
The only thing that surpasses this man’s ignorance is his hate for humanity
He can bring up some valid points occasionally. Points I would like to learn more about, however his ignorance of even basic argumentation is astonishing. He throws nothing but hate toward academics but loves Peter Baur, and Friedman. He also overlooks that he too is an academic so that leaves us to believe he only dislikes the academics that disagree with him. So why are the personal attacks needed? Next he loves bringing up supposed slogans that the left loves without a shred of evidence that such a slogan is used by influential people on the left.
He spends a majority of the book avoiding his own arguments for policy issues and instead attacks strawmen positions.
The only thing that surpasses this man’s ignorance is his hate for humanity
January 28, 2019
The format disappointed me. It was essays that were written off-the-cuff, without depth of analysis. Would be interested in reading something more substantial to try and grapple with his actual ideas.
December 29, 2023
Man, this book makes me angry. Sowell really is a Friedman clone, so most criticisms I had on Capitalism and Freedom are the same here. Fuck the poor, fuck the climate, fuck imigration, fuck social justice,... Some examples:
There is no housing crisis, it's just because the land is so expensive because government regulation. It's just supply and demand. That's how you get slums. The rich will still be able to profit from the open space and parks that Sowell sees as the cause of the high prices. While the poor will try to live near the big city, even if it means unhealthy and dangerous conditions. I recently read a book that compared skyscrapers in big city with gated communities. That's the world we are evolving to.
Healthcare is another one. If there's one aspect of policy in the US where chauvinism is misplaced, it's healthcare... And still he does it. Pharmaceutical research for example he states costs millions of dollars for the development of one drug. And these costs are now paid by the US, because they pay the real cost. While all the countries that have price controls on pharmaceuticals just pass the bill. If the US would do it too, no one will develope new medicine. There's so much wrong with that statement. It costs millions in research and development, true. But how much is spend on marketing of those products in the US? How much is oversubscribed because doctors have financial incentives to push pills? And why can pharmaceutical companies still make profit in Europe and Canada? Even in worst case scenario where he's partly right that price controls will lead to less investment in R&D, Covid-19 showed how governments can influence and finance R&D if needed, and with an equitable and fair distribution of the vaccine. Another one is that cheap healthcare means worse quality. But the US is only number 11 in the world on health care outcomes, but also timeliness. So it's not faster or better than countries like Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, which in his opinion offer worse quality and longer waitlists.
You don't have to be an extreme left communist to find the ideas in the book disgusting and even dangerous. But I'll keep pushing myself to read books like this to read other opinions. But before I read another neoliberal propaganda book, I need a few pallet cleansers.
There is no housing crisis, it's just because the land is so expensive because government regulation. It's just supply and demand. That's how you get slums. The rich will still be able to profit from the open space and parks that Sowell sees as the cause of the high prices. While the poor will try to live near the big city, even if it means unhealthy and dangerous conditions. I recently read a book that compared skyscrapers in big city with gated communities. That's the world we are evolving to.
Healthcare is another one. If there's one aspect of policy in the US where chauvinism is misplaced, it's healthcare... And still he does it. Pharmaceutical research for example he states costs millions of dollars for the development of one drug. And these costs are now paid by the US, because they pay the real cost. While all the countries that have price controls on pharmaceuticals just pass the bill. If the US would do it too, no one will develope new medicine. There's so much wrong with that statement. It costs millions in research and development, true. But how much is spend on marketing of those products in the US? How much is oversubscribed because doctors have financial incentives to push pills? And why can pharmaceutical companies still make profit in Europe and Canada? Even in worst case scenario where he's partly right that price controls will lead to less investment in R&D, Covid-19 showed how governments can influence and finance R&D if needed, and with an equitable and fair distribution of the vaccine. Another one is that cheap healthcare means worse quality. But the US is only number 11 in the world on health care outcomes, but also timeliness. So it's not faster or better than countries like Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, which in his opinion offer worse quality and longer waitlists.
You don't have to be an extreme left communist to find the ideas in the book disgusting and even dangerous. But I'll keep pushing myself to read books like this to read other opinions. But before I read another neoliberal propaganda book, I need a few pallet cleansers.
July 11, 2022
Thomas Sowell is a great thinker that I enjoy reading. What prevents me from giving this 5 stars however is the format of this book. This is essentially several his columns crammed together in a single book. I found a few of them felt dated that dealt with specific issues at the time of the writing. The ones that really stood out reflected truths that are applicable regardless to any specific political issue going on at the time. I dogeared a number of ones I really enjoyed (I know I'm a monster). What I noticed though is that most of the latter half of the book is dogeared and the first half has just a few. So, if the first few essays aren't doing it for you try jumping to the latter half of the book and try some there as there is no real narrative you must follow and you can jump around wherever you like.
There was only really one essay that really bothered me. I don't know if it was that he just didn't do his research about a story or used a misleading example but was discussing how much of a role government should have in paying for healthcare and what they should cover. He mentioned the following: "How much healthcare at the taxpayers’ expense? In Britain a 12-year-old girl was given breast implants. That much healthcare?" It didn't sound believable to me, so I looked it up. Turned out it she had one breast that grew and one that did not, and it was a corrective thing. Not a purely cosmetic reason that she wanted big breasts. It made it sound like this was the norm and it's not she had extenuating circumstances. Now you are free to debate if the gov't should have any role in this, but I felt this was a poor example and left out key information.
That's really my only complaint out of hundreds of essays so overall I really enjoyed it. Thomas is as of this writing 92 years old and doesn't do many public appearances, so I plan on reading more of his books as I don't see him in media anymore. I recently heard a podcast talking about a biography of Sowell written by Jason Riley called "Maverick" that I'm eager to pick up.
There was only really one essay that really bothered me. I don't know if it was that he just didn't do his research about a story or used a misleading example but was discussing how much of a role government should have in paying for healthcare and what they should cover. He mentioned the following: "How much healthcare at the taxpayers’ expense? In Britain a 12-year-old girl was given breast implants. That much healthcare?" It didn't sound believable to me, so I looked it up. Turned out it she had one breast that grew and one that did not, and it was a corrective thing. Not a purely cosmetic reason that she wanted big breasts. It made it sound like this was the norm and it's not she had extenuating circumstances. Now you are free to debate if the gov't should have any role in this, but I felt this was a poor example and left out key information.
That's really my only complaint out of hundreds of essays so overall I really enjoyed it. Thomas is as of this writing 92 years old and doesn't do many public appearances, so I plan on reading more of his books as I don't see him in media anymore. I recently heard a podcast talking about a biography of Sowell written by Jason Riley called "Maverick" that I'm eager to pick up.
July 31, 2018
Shame that this book is full of so many inaccuracies and lack of facts. The author proposes that a hurricane in the 1800s caused more casualties than one in the 1950s because of the wealth of america. What about Katrina? The wealth of the country had zero to do with the high casualty rate. The area was an island and the hurricane happened before there were adequate warnings so people didn't know to evacuate. Only one example of the absolute random made up reasoning. Indefensible positions if you check the suggested "facts". I was really hoping for some alternate fact supported views that I could use to challenge false beliefs that I might be holding, but this book is full of half truths and no supporting facts. Read this as fiction if you want a good laugh.
May 22, 2024
I randomly picked up this book free someplace because I liked the title. Being a curious person, I wondered why? What was delivered as answers was biased venting of grievances of what's wrong with the world. I don't disagree with everything that was shared. But the scope and commentary is so narrow. On any topic, there are more than one side and well thought out discussion points. My problem is this book does not answer the question of Why? It just seems to push a single side of an agenda.
This has to be the single biggest piece of garbage I have ever read and will be putting this book in the trash (maybe). I might just put a warning label on the front cover and keep it as an example of poor …. Crap.
This has to be the single biggest piece of garbage I have ever read and will be putting this book in the trash (maybe). I might just put a warning label on the front cover and keep it as an example of poor …. Crap.
September 12, 2024
I had known of Thomas Sowell but never read anything he wrote and only saw a very few interviews of him but with my conservative leanings he was a natural. And indeed he did not disappoint. My favorite insane tidbit he shared was the fact that in England if you happen to have your home burglarized and you use a toy gun to keep the criminal at bay until the police show up, they will not only arrest the criminal, but also you for the use of a gun or facsimile of a weapon. Likewise if you are accosted by an assailant and you happen to land a punch that lands him on the ground, if you hit him a second time, they will not only arrest the assailant, but also you for assault. What a world we live in
September 10, 2020
A book of rare clarity and insight for all
Thomas Sowell is a wonderfully clear thinker and writer. You will be surprised to learn how much of your common assumptions are absorbed from the 'frequently mistaken but never wrong' media culture that surrounds us, rather than actual facts. I look forward to reading more of his books!
Thomas Sowell is a wonderfully clear thinker and writer. You will be surprised to learn how much of your common assumptions are absorbed from the 'frequently mistaken but never wrong' media culture that surrounds us, rather than actual facts. I look forward to reading more of his books!
July 25, 2021
A brilliant man who speaks clearly and concisely. The book is divided into eight parts addressing different topics. I took it in sections and allowed myself plenty of time to read and digest each entry. His insight and wisdom is too valuable to rush the readings. Also added at least ten additional books to my TBR list from what he mentions in his various pieces.
November 3, 2022
Those who may have thought that they were the only Skeptics on the planet should be encouraged by Thomas Sowell's essays.
Thomas Sowell has undeniable credibility through his race, life experience, military service ans academic achievement!
Thomas Sowell has undeniable credibility through his race, life experience, military service ans academic achievement!
July 27, 2019
A collection of columns. Thomas Sowell writes with a clearness that makes his subjects understandable and enjoyable.
August 23, 2019
An excellent book! Definitely MUST READ!
December 12, 2019
Should stick to pure economics, because the quality of the other essays in here are highly variable, mostly for the worse.
March 3, 2021
Very entertaining and well written about the great things and the ill things of our day. Can't go wrong with the Professor.
April 5, 2023
Witty, humorous, and acute, Ever Wonder Why? is a neat collection of essays that gives the reader a lot to think about.
February 13, 2025
Collection of his newspaper articles
May 18, 2025
Many older essays are just as relevant to todays social-media-on-steroids world. A lucid destruction of the absurdity we are fed from all quarters. Spend less time on X and more time reading Sowell.
May 14, 2024
Thomas Sowell is in his usual clear, unflinching form in this collection of columns from the first decade of the 21st century. One of the funny and interesting (to me, at least) things about Sowell's writing is that he is not particularly graceful or elegant in style. He is straightforward and matter-of-fact and just plain blunt. This has the effect of reinforcing just how commonsense and - dare I say it - TRUE! - his policy prescriptions and observations are. One of my favorite lines in the book is from an essay about healthcare: "[P]rices are not costs. Prices are what pay for costs." It's so obvious but I hadn't ever really thought of it this way. There are dozens of sentences like this in Ever Wonder Why? that hit the reader over the head with important fundamental insights.
The only reason I did not give the book five stars is that it's a little out of date (which I guess is my fault for not reading it eight years ago) and a little repetitive--some of the essays were superfluous as the topics were adequately covered elsewhere. But any time spent reading Sowell is time well spent.
The only reason I did not give the book five stars is that it's a little out of date (which I guess is my fault for not reading it eight years ago) and a little repetitive--some of the essays were superfluous as the topics were adequately covered elsewhere. But any time spent reading Sowell is time well spent.
December 29, 2011
Хубаво четиво за запознаване с идеологията на американските консерватори.
Томас Соуел описва общество, в което интелектуалците са леви, инженерите са десни, а държавата има твърде много власт да се меси където не й е работата. Безотговорни хора имат власт да влияят на икономиката, където твори глупост след глупост, и на образованието, където натрапват отглеждат поколение от мързеливци и илитерати. Наред с това обяснява възгледите си за гей браковете, притежаването на оръжие, живеенето с родителите до късно и куп други. Всичко е било толкова хубаво преди.
За Соуел либерал е мръсна дума, а зелен е синоним на терорист, като общото между двамата е, че са идиоти.
Въпреки че съм съгласен с повечето от написаното, четивото е тежко и единици са есетата, които не са манипулативни и са чисти от логически пропуски и спекулации. Мен лично това ме подразни. Хареса ми главно как плюе либералите :)
PS. Мисля, че прочетох по-кратка версия на същата книга, издадена няколко години по-рано. Шансът да повторя е минимален.
Томас Соуел описва общество, в което интелектуалците са леви, инженерите са десни, а държавата има твърде много власт да се меси където не й е работата. Безотговорни хора имат власт да влияят на икономиката, където твори глупост след глупост, и на образованието, където натрапват отглеждат поколение от мързеливци и илитерати. Наред с това обяснява възгледите си за гей браковете, притежаването на оръжие, живеенето с родителите до късно и куп други. Всичко е било толкова хубаво преди.
За Соуел либерал е мръсна дума, а зелен е синоним на терорист, като общото между двамата е, че са идиоти.
Въпреки че съм съгласен с повечето от написаното, четивото е тежко и единици са есетата, които не са манипулативни и са чисти от логически пропуски и спекулации. Мен лично това ме подразни. Хареса ми главно как плюе либералите :)
PS. Мисля, че прочетох по-кратка версия на същата книга, издадена няколко години по-рано. Шансът да повторя е минимален.
December 19, 2015
An interesting read. I didn't agree with some of what he had to say in this book. There were smidgens of I know best attitudes in this book. Which to me showed a lack of open mindedness on some issues. However, this book is full of common sense and a refreshing slap in the face to political correctness.
Overall, I liked this book when not wincing at some of his opinions. But that was the point, reading something from someone who's world view is different from my own. We need more of this.
Overall, I liked this book when not wincing at some of his opinions. But that was the point, reading something from someone who's world view is different from my own. We need more of this.
May 28, 2012
This collection of Thomas Sowell essays is simply outstanding, so far (still reading). Sowell uses clear language and logic to make his points. One has to wonder how folks could read these essays and not agree - oh yes, logic and facts do not always win the day with some whose vision is not consistent with such trivialities.
December 7, 2025
My rating is only 3 stars because the format of the book is a collection of articles. Reading it as a book feels disjointed. I still recommend everyone read Basic Economics.
It was a good reminder of the proven ideas that build a strong culture and economy. Sowell is more Conservative than Libertarian and several articles shine a light on the differences between the two philosophies.
It was a good reminder of the proven ideas that build a strong culture and economy. Sowell is more Conservative than Libertarian and several articles shine a light on the differences between the two philosophies.
June 1, 2012
Food for thought. I agreed with some things, disagreed with others. Sowell definitely has an interesting and insightful perspective on some things. On others he comes across as lacking compassion. But overall, his critical thinking shines through and is deserving of appreciation.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews