Summary of Thomas Sowell's Barbarians inside the Gates and Other Controversial Essays

Book excerpt: Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The signs of American degeneration are all too plain, from declining educational standards to high crime rates. The real question today is: Will we turn it around, or is what we are doing likely to make things worse. #2 The first police forces were organized in cities across the United States in the early 19th century, and mass movements to stop people from drinking also spread across the country. Crime rates began to drop in the middle of the 19th century, and they continued to fall into the early 20th century. #3 The point of being a superpower is so that no one will attack you and require the sacrifice of more and more young Americans like those buried in this cemetery. #4 Equality is one of the crucial far-fetched ideas of our time. People believe that statistical disparities in outcomes are proof that someone was treated unfairly. But most people cannot name two individuals who perform equally.