Measured
Lies: The Bell Curve Examined
by Joe L. Kincheloe (Editor), Shirley R. Steinberg (Editor)
Reviews
Booknews, Inc., November 1, 1996
Twenty-nine essays responding to Herrnstein
and Murray's book The Bell Curve arguing
against its thesis point by point, chapter by chapter. The contributors,
distinguished scholars in their fields, use the techniques of reason, logic,
and evidence emphasized by The Bell Curve authors without sacrificing
some very powerful accusations of racism, classism, sexism, and elitism.
The volume also features interviews with Stanley Aronowitz, and a dialogue
between Paulo Freire and Donaldo Macedo. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc.,
Portland, Or.
Synopsis
A compilation of original essays by distinguished
educators and social scientists responds to the controversial racial and
intellectual agenda proposed by The Bell Curve, in a study that
includes interviews with Coretta Scott King, Jonathan Kozol, bell hooks,
and other notables.
Synopsis
In Measured Lies, the first thoughtful
and reasoned reading of The Bell Curve, the editors have assembled a group
of the most well-respected educators and social theorists writing today
to provide responses to Herrnstein and Murray's racial and intellectual
agenda.
The publication of Herrnstein and Murray's
The
Bell Curve enraged readers with its controversial racial and intellectual
agenda, which suggested that certain groups of children are genetically
unable to learn because of their race and, therefore, unworthy of the educational
attention and financial resources that flow from federal and state governments.
In Measured Lies, the first thoughtful and reasoned reading of The
Bell Curve, Joe Kincheloe, Shirley Steinberg, and Aaron Gresson have
assembled some of the most well-respected educators and social theorists
writing today. Henry Giroux, Joyce King, Cameron McCathy, Michael Apple,
Sander Gilman, Peter McLaren, and many others respond to
The Bell Curve
chapter by chapter, ultimately taking apart Herrnstein and Murray's argument
and exposing the measured lies on which it is based. In addition, the book
contains interviews with Paolo Friere, Ellen Willis, Ivor Goodson, and
Stanley Aronowitz. Measured Lies is a searing indictment of racism
and the way individuals can use it to subvert truth and amass power.
Customer Comments
Aebeth38@hotmail.com
from ohio, June 5, 1999
interesting and provocative....
offering an alternative view to the troubles
in today's lower to middle class society... the analysis of IQ versus achievement,
propagation, and economic status was enlightening and true. From our perspective
it seems that the troubles in today's society is due to a lowering of intelligence
by virtue of the vast majority of low intellect people supported by the
welfare system... Ignorance breeds ingnorance....
From K.F. Widaman - Choice
{This book} is long on rhetoric
and distressingly short on detailed commentaries on the questionable statistical
approaches taken by Herrnstein and Murray. On the other hand, The Bell
Curve was largely rhetoric dressed up in scientific garb, so a contrary
dose of rhetoric to confront its arguments may be a needed antidote. The
authors are from a wide array of academic fields, which may account for
the unevenness of the contributions as well as the occasional technical
inaccuracies. Still, a book that deserves to be read.
From K.F. Widaman - The Economist
Messrs Murray and Herrnstein
. . . pointed out that on average blacks score 15 points lower on IQ tests
than whites, and speculated that this gap may be a function of genes. Individual
blacks may do well in a meritocracy, the authors admitted; but overall
blacks are condemned to occupy a lower position on the hill than whites.
Enraged academics have spent the past two years producing rebuttals. So
far the results are disappointing. . . . 'Measured Lies' is a feeble
effort, high on rhetoric about racism, low on measured argument and full
of mistakes (among them identifying one of the authors of 'The Bell
Curve' as Robert rather than Richard Herrnstein).
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