How to Argue With a Racist

Very interesting look into the reasons we are as we are, concerning racial differences, from a scientific perspective. This book answered several questions about if certain ethnicities were really genetically better at some things, and dispelled a few myths. I love learning about human evolution, and sociology, so this was a great read for me.

This was totally insightful and thought provoking. If someone looks differently at another person just because of skin color and religion; it's definitely defined as racism. This book is that aspect but a whole lot more. I may favor some groups as opposed to others, but I have always kept an open mind, you can learn a lot from some of a different race or religion. Yes, there were some stereotypes in this book but it was full of great observations and is a wake up call to treat others with respect and the dignity they deserve.

This was well written and not at all boring. Read this in 2 sittings during self isolation for Covd. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I didn't appreciate that the publisher didn't have an option to download to kindle. It made it quite frustrating to read and many conversations with NG support for help to download to read it. I was eventually able to read it on my laptop. Only reason I denoted a star.

The book is pretty easy to follow and a good overview of the genetics that contribute to race (other parts of the human genome are also discussed). I wouldn't say How to Argue with a Racist is the "how-to" sound of the title  ...  just walking through all the findings in a comprehensible manner. It includes explaining what services like 23andMe and AncestryDNA can, and cannot, do.
"Racial categories still vexing our societies do not align with observable genetic differences—and those differences are, in fact, so minute that they serve as evidence of our commonality."

A clear and enjoyable book on racism by a great science writer

This is the fourth book by Adam Rutherford that I’ve read, the others being “Humanimal”, “A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived”, and “Creation”, and thought all were great. I therefore had high expectations for “How to Argue with a Racist” and I wasn’t disappointed. It was much more enjoyable than “Troublesome Science” by Rob DeSalle and Ian Tattersall, and a bit better than “Everyone is African” by Daniel J. Fairbanks. Rutherford explains the science clearly and writes with a conversational tone. I don’t usually recommend reading prefaces, but the one in this book is important. It discusses why science must respond to racism and the role of racism in current issues such as COVID-19 and ongoing protests in the US. I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: i received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.

Adam Rutherford patiently, persuasively, and knowledgeably walks readers through the complete lack of biological evidence for our concept of race. How to Argue With a Racist uses contemporary genetics research to disprove commonly held beliefs, and to reinforce the simple fact that humanity is complicated. Rutherford also articulately reinforces the idea that while race is not a biological construct, race and racism are very real concepts created by society that influence everyone and everything. 

Do I think you’d actually be able to argue with a racist using the information presented in this book? Maybe. It depends on if you’re dealing with a racist who believes in the reality of science. I think the prime candidates for persuasion by the arguments are those who know and understand that while they might not think of themselves as racist, they have likely engaged in racist thought, speech, or action. If you’re willing to learn about the history of race and humanity, this is an approachable primer on modern genetic understanding of both concepts. 

Recommended for: book clubs, individuals who are on the waiting list(s) for books like How to Be an Anti-Racist, and anyone who has ever questioned the why of racial stereotyping. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Rutherford does an excellent job establishing the background information behind race distinctions, and provides accessible explanations of the biological elements of race.  The book has taken me additional time to read because he provides so much information I find I have to stop and take some time to digest all the information periodically.

I knew this would be an interesting book just from the title, but this has become one of my favorite nonfiction books of all time! There is so much history and science mixed together. The author immediately addresses his bias from the get-go and makes sure to acknowledge his own shortcomings from research and conclusions provided. Aside from that, there is so much information to consume, some of which I already knew and was impressed to see organized so well. Also, the author provides a lovely bibliography and an alphabetized index! I know I enjoy strange aspects of nonfiction titles, but this is truly one well-written, although it may be because I agree with the overarching theme of genetics disproving any scientific backing used in racist ideology.