Man's Most Dangerous Myth: The Fallacy of Race

by Ashley Montagu

Man's Most Dangerous Myth was first published in 1942, when Nazism flourished, when African Americans sat at the back of the bus, and when race was considered the determinant of people's character and intelligence. It presented a revolutionary theory for its time; breaking the link between genetics and culture, it argued that race is largely a social construction and not constitutive of significant biological differences between people. In the ensuing 55 years, as Ashley Montagu's radical hypothesis became accepted knowledge, succeeding editions of his book traced the changes in our conceptions of race and race relations over the 20th century. Now, over 50 years later, Man's Most Dangerous Myth is back in print, fully revised by the original author. Montagu is internationally renowned for his work on race, as well as for such influential books as The Natural Superiority of Women, Touching, and The Elephant Man. This new edition contains Montagu's most complete explication of his theory and a thorough updating of previous editions. The Sixth Edition takes on the issues of the Bell Curve, IQ testing, ethnic cleansing and other current race relations topics, as well as contemporary restatements of topics previously addressed. A bibliography of almost 3,000 published items on race, compiled over a lifetime of work, is of enormous research value. Also available is an abridged student edition containing the essence of Montagu's argument, its policy implications, and his thoughts on contemporary race issues for use in classrooms. Ahead of its time in 1942, Montagu's arguments still contribute essential and salient perspectives as we face the issue of race in the 1990s. Man's Most Dangerous Myth is the seminal work of one of the 20th century's leading intellectuals, essential reading for all scholars and students of race relations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Sociology, Race, Anthropology, History, Philosophy

704 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Books, such as The Natural Superiority of Women (1953), of Ashley Montagu, originally Israel Ehrenberg, a British-American, helped to popularize anthropology.

As a young man, he changed his name to "Montague Francis Ashley-Montagu". After relocating to the United States, he used the name "Ashley Montagu."

This humanist of Jewish ancestry related topics, such as race and gender, to politics and development. He served as the rapporteur or appointed investigator in 1950 for the The Race Question , statement of educational, scientific, and cultural organization of United Nations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_...

Reviews

[Jacob Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is dated now--before Krick and Watson and the molecular structure of DNA! But a sound refutation of the fallacy of "race." I read this more than 60 years ago--when I was 14 or 15; the civil rights movement was gaining steam. Montagu was an early, intellectual hero for me.

[Dan Mortimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I skimmed the book, a fifth edition from 1974. Totally comprehensive, combining biology and genetics with the cultural and social, it's pretty impressive. Some political and historical context also backs up arguments and forms the basis of chapters, which is always good too.

Personally, I simply read for more information on the subject of 'race', but Montagu's arguments were convincing in refuting the very idea of racial difference itself. Particularly enlightening chapters: 4. the biological facts, 6. "Race" and Society, 12. "Race" and Culture. The Jewish and African American chapters were particularly candid in dealing with sensitive subjects, and the Appendices worth reading too.

Giving it five stars because I don't believe other reading on race would be necessary for the casual reader: it's all here. The book is well organised and the writing is top quality (though with some outdated terminology in the edition I was reading).

[Kandachamy Vijayakumaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A significant book I read in recent times. Human societies from the beginning has created the myth of race to the advantage of the dominant group. The myth was demolished often with revelations of scientific research on various dimensions of race. You can find the fully armored demolition squad in this book. A must read for all who had dared to consider them, at least for a fleeting moment, superior to their fellow human beings.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montagu shatters the notion that there are separate races. I read this book as a young adult many decades ago and it always stuck with me. Would like to read it again, especially this sixth edition.

[Mobrazeï · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me a good insight into what racism is and when it began

[Pippah Getchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Groundbreaking classic.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required college reading. I remember it being painfully boring but thorough and educational