In this important book, an eminent authority presents a new perspective on affirmative action, investigating its actual consequences in the United States and in other countries where it has been in effect. Evaluating his empirical data, Thomas Sowell concludes that race preference programmes worldwide have not met expectations and have often produced the opposite of what was originally intended. "A delight: terse, well-argued, and utterly convincing." Economist "Among contemporary economists and social theorists, one of the most prolific, intellectually independent, and iconoclastic is Thomas Sowell ...Enormously learned, wonderfully clear-headed, he sees reality as it is, and flinches at no truth ...Sowell's presentation of the data is instructive and illuminating - and disturbing."Carl Cohen, Commentary "Another brilliant, bracing achievement by Thomas Sowell. With characteristic lucidity, erudition, and depth, Sowell examines the true effects of affirmative action around the globe. This book is compelling, important, mind-opening." Amy Chua, author of World on Fire: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and Global Instability "A masterpiece that deserves to be one of the most influential books of our time. Any honest reader will be informed and enlightened."Donald Kagan, Yale University