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The Ten Things You Can't Say In America
Straight Talk From the Firebrand Libertarian Who Struck a Chord Across America
Larry Elder tells truths this nation's public figures are afraid to address. In The Ten Things You Can't Say in America , he turns conventional "wisdom" on its head and backs up his commonsense philosophy with cold, hard facts many ignore. Elder says what no one else
Blacks are more racist than whites.
White condescension is mor damaging than white racism
There is no health-care crisis
The War on Drugs is the new Vietnam...and we're losing
Republicans and Democrats are the same beast in different rhetoric
Gun control advocates have blood on their hands.
America's greatest problem? Illegitimacy.
The welfare state is our national narcotic.
There is no glass ceiling.
The media it's real, it's widespread, it's destructive
Larry Elder tells truths this nation's public figures are afraid to address. In The Ten Things You Can't Say in America , he turns conventional "wisdom" on its head and backs up his commonsense philosophy with cold, hard facts many ignore. Elder says what no one else
Blacks are more racist than whites.
White condescension is mor damaging than white racism
There is no health-care crisis
The War on Drugs is the new Vietnam...and we're losing
Republicans and Democrats are the same beast in different rhetoric
Gun control advocates have blood on their hands.
America's greatest problem? Illegitimacy.
The welfare state is our national narcotic.
There is no glass ceiling.
The media it's real, it's widespread, it's destructive
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2000
60 people are currently reading
679 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
February 3, 2009
Good book for people who love individual rights. Some of it's a little simplistic, but hey, I'm a simple man. There's a great chapter on media bias, which is something that's much more blatantly obvious today than it was when Elder wrote the book. The Sage from South Central has many great points in this book. It's good to share with confused friends.
February 7, 2017
"The Ten Things You Can't Say in America" by Larry Elder is a conversation starter for discussion with your liberal friends--- assuming you can get them to read it.
Why are these ten, the things you can't say in America? Because conventional political correctness, foisted upon society by the left says you can't. Why does the left preclude discussions of these ten assertions? Because if they can stop debate they can't be proved wrong, and that's a lot easier than having to argue against them.
Is there truth in the 10 things you can't say? Mostly, but I'll let you be the judge.
Larry mentions in his book the old saying that a conservative is a liberal that has been mugged by reality. One thing is for sure, in arguing his points, Larry mugs the reader with reality-- Data, anecdotes, revelations of hypocrisy on the left, testimony etc.
I think Larry could have slimmed down this book or kept it the same size but called it "The 15 Things." The book can sometimes be a little long-winded and repetitive particularity for conservatives or libertarians familiar with the arguments, but if you can just get a liberal to read it.... well, as they say repetition is the mother of learning.
Why are these ten, the things you can't say in America? Because conventional political correctness, foisted upon society by the left says you can't. Why does the left preclude discussions of these ten assertions? Because if they can stop debate they can't be proved wrong, and that's a lot easier than having to argue against them.
Is there truth in the 10 things you can't say? Mostly, but I'll let you be the judge.
Larry mentions in his book the old saying that a conservative is a liberal that has been mugged by reality. One thing is for sure, in arguing his points, Larry mugs the reader with reality-- Data, anecdotes, revelations of hypocrisy on the left, testimony etc.
I think Larry could have slimmed down this book or kept it the same size but called it "The 15 Things." The book can sometimes be a little long-winded and repetitive particularity for conservatives or libertarians familiar with the arguments, but if you can just get a liberal to read it.... well, as they say repetition is the mother of learning.
August 5, 2011
The first two chapters had an interesting point: businesses that discriminate against women or minorities will fail because competing businesses will step in and hire those people. After that the book goes downhill and is like a high school paper. Numerous spelling errors aside, he repeats the same things and changes subject from paragraph to paragraph. He uses statistics but I'm very doubtful of a lot of them and I'm not sure even he knows how they were acquired. He contradicts himself in many places. He criticizes a stat saying that 400,000 people/year die from smoking (even suggesting smoking can be good for your and HELP PREVENT BREAST CANCER), believing far less people die from it. Later in the book, though, he uses the 400,000 figure to support a point he is making. WTF?! By the end of the book it's essentially unreadable. I'm not an advocate of gun control but I found even that chapter so simplistic as to be a waste of time. Save your time and stare at a blank wall for 5 hours. This is the worst book I've read in a long time.
April 14, 2015
I got about three quarters of the way through this book before I gave up. In the beginning, a lot of the points are made in a concise and logical fashion, but then it turns into restating the same point(s) repeatedly with varying levels of logic applied. The points in the very beginning of the book are essentially the only points brought up. Statistics and figures are randomly pointed to as though to say that because there's a figure for this point, it must be valid. There is even a figure that he openly disputes in the book but then proceeds to use. If the book didn't turn into a rehashing, it would've come out much better.
March 2, 2009
It's not that his ideas are particularly new, nor that his over the top, sensationalist delivery is particularly shocking. In fact, most depressing about this read was its' predictability. If I can parrot your ideas back at you before you finishing the chapter then you might need to change it up. Nothing cogent to see here people. Keep trying Larry.
October 4, 2011
Conservative radio host Larry Elder leads the charge on the perils of political correctness in American society. If we are unable to truly speak our minds we are victims of the worst form of tyranny - tyranny of the mind. Elder makes the argument that many of the PC movement's ideals actually hinder the progress of minorities they seek to protect.
September 18, 2016
I requested this book as a gift, but I didnt know how old it was, so my rating reflects that it doesnt hold up well over time. Too many references to George Bush and Bill Clinton. I had hoped for more and newer insights, instead I got solid statements and very well documented, but not very interesting.
August 11, 2016
Run liberals this book has way too many facts and too much truth for your minds to handle.
April 24, 2014
Really interesting. Didn't agree with all of his positions - but one is forced to deal with the argument, as opposed to the emotion most common in today's discussions. Worth a read.
June 15, 2024
THE COMMENTATOR LOOKS AT A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES
Laurence [‘Larry’] Allen Elder (born Ap1952) is an American author and radio program host. He wrote in the Preface to this 2000 book, “Bad schools, crime, drugs, high taxes, the social security mess, ‘racism,’ the health-care ‘crisis,’ unemployment, welfare state dependency, illegitimacy, the gap between the rich and the poor. What do these issues have in common? Politicians, the media, and our so-called ‘leaders’ lie to us about them. They lie about the cause. They lie about the effect. They lie about the solutions. [This book] shows how the media, politicians (both Democrats and Republicans), schools, universities, and churches have ignored these problems---or often made them worse…. This book rips off the cover of political correctness… The book speaks out against self-defeating and destructive political correctness; the liberal media; the phony health-care ‘crisis’; the job-destroying stupidity of minimum wage laws; the unconstitutional attack against smoking; and the blood on the hands of the
Good guys’ who want more and more gun control… The goal is simple. As Americans, we must … face and defeat the twin villains---a dependency-creating government and our refusal to accept responsibility for our own lives. This book questions why the government takes so much of our money… It shows how the private, charitable sector can better address the needs of the poor and the sick than government.”
He explains, “I take three positions, earning the wrath of blacks. First, I repudiate the ‘Johnnie Cochran doctrine’ … [that] ‘Race plays a part of everything in America.’ Second, I opposed race- and gender-based affirmative action. The third, I believe O.J. Simpson butchered to innocent human beings… how dare I suggest that the fate of blacks is, well, in the hands of blacks!” (Pg. 2) [Later, he adds, “After the O.J. acquittal, prosecutor Marcia Clark accused the predominantly black jury of refusing to engage in critical thinking. She’s right.” (Pg. 38)
Of Reparations, he observes, “Do wealthy blacks get a check? Should descendants of those who came to America after slavery pay up? Should descendants of those who came to America after slavery pay up? Should descendants of those who fought and died on the Union side pay up? Should we make deductions for the trillions of dollars spent by the government on social programs from which blacks have benefited? What about people of mixed race? Should the payment correspond only to the percentage of a given citizen’s ‘black blood’? Should we get a contribution from the African nations? After all, some black Africans assisted in the slave trade… Suppose the slave trade never happened, and today’s … American blacks instead live in Africa. Would they be better off? Reparations, indeed! What a waste of time and energy.” (Pg. 10)
He defines, “A ‘victicrat’ blames all ills, problems, concerns, and unhappiness on others. This black victicrat mentality emerges in strange, unpredictable, confusing, and frequently inconsistent ways.” (Pg. 22)
He suggests, “Poverty causes crime? … No, the formula is more likely that other way around: crime causes poverty. The more crime, the less incentive for business-people to locate businesses in that area. Store owners must charge consumers more to offset losses caused by theft and higher insurance premiums. Homeowners, apartment dwellers, and business-people pay increased security costs to combat the ever-present threat of theft or violent crime. THIS impoverishes neighborhoods.” (Pg. 45)
He states, “Many whites fail to hold blacks to the same standard to which they hold themselves… these whites preach that hard work and education lead to success. They preach that whether facing success or failure, always assume personal responsibility for one’s own actions. Yet, when it comes to blacks, whites often fail to preach what they practice. They fail to demand responsible behavior from blacks, blaming bad conduct on ‘environmental factors.’ How smug. How condescending.” (Pg. 75)
He asserts, “Feminists refuse to acknowledge a simple fact. A lot of women think the corporate rat race sucks. Polls show that both men and women, when given a choice, would prefer a stay-at-home mom to nurture and raise the children. Many… women with MBAs … ten years after receiving their degrees, 20 percent don’t work at all---most of those having opted out of the workplace in favor of family life… Many female professionals … simply refuse to put in the time, effort, energy, and sacrifice required to become number one. Why should this be considered a bad thing?” (Pg. 139)
Of the Family and Medical Leave Act, he says, “It makes those likely to use the [FMLA]---women---more expensive… This law raises the price of hiring a woman… Oh, the employer thinks, she has two kids. What happens when the inevitable crises come up? How can I afford to keep a job open, and pay benefits despite her absence?... Some ‘feminist’ activists refuse to believe that companies, out of their own self-interest, will say, as many have already done, ‘Hey, if we want to attract top-notch females, many of whom have children, we need to do something.’ And, what of the other employees who pick up the slack for the woman out on family leave?” (Pg. 142)
He acknowledges, “approximately 40 percent of women report harassment at work Does sexual harassment hold women back?... Yes, many men are pigs. But, again, the best defense against inappropriate make conduct directed toward women is competence… If the organization fails to appreciate her value, she should walk. Quickly. Ideally, to the nearest competitor.” (Pg. 145)
He contrasts Republicans and Democrats: “Republicans propose less spending and typically call for less government than the average Democrat. Many Republicans, however, urge the Supreme Court to outlaw abortion; call for voluntary prayer in public schools; want flag-burning banned; refuse to allow gays to serve openly in the military; and call for… laws prohibiting the legalization same-sex marriage. The Democrats spend our money freely, While Republicans propose less spending, but not much less… Republicans control Congress, but subsidies for farmers still flow… There is a word for ‘mainstream’ Democratic ideolog. It is SOCIALISM. And ‘mainstream’ Republicans ideology? SOCIALISM-LITE.” (Pg. 232)
He proposes the legalization of drugs: “It accounts for 50 percent of all street crimes and perhaps 30 percent of the prison population.” (Pg. 234) He adds, “The war against drugs … assumes people are too stupid, too reckless, and too irresponsible to decide whether and under what conditions to consume drugs. The war on drugs is morally corrupt.” (Pg. 253)
He notes, “Libertarians believe Americans smart enough, wise enough, mature enough, capable enough to manage their own affairs to the fullest extent possible.” (Pg. 244)
This book will be of keen interest to Libertarians, and to many or most conservatives.
Laurence [‘Larry’] Allen Elder (born Ap1952) is an American author and radio program host. He wrote in the Preface to this 2000 book, “Bad schools, crime, drugs, high taxes, the social security mess, ‘racism,’ the health-care ‘crisis,’ unemployment, welfare state dependency, illegitimacy, the gap between the rich and the poor. What do these issues have in common? Politicians, the media, and our so-called ‘leaders’ lie to us about them. They lie about the cause. They lie about the effect. They lie about the solutions. [This book] shows how the media, politicians (both Democrats and Republicans), schools, universities, and churches have ignored these problems---or often made them worse…. This book rips off the cover of political correctness… The book speaks out against self-defeating and destructive political correctness; the liberal media; the phony health-care ‘crisis’; the job-destroying stupidity of minimum wage laws; the unconstitutional attack against smoking; and the blood on the hands of the
Good guys’ who want more and more gun control… The goal is simple. As Americans, we must … face and defeat the twin villains---a dependency-creating government and our refusal to accept responsibility for our own lives. This book questions why the government takes so much of our money… It shows how the private, charitable sector can better address the needs of the poor and the sick than government.”
He explains, “I take three positions, earning the wrath of blacks. First, I repudiate the ‘Johnnie Cochran doctrine’ … [that] ‘Race plays a part of everything in America.’ Second, I opposed race- and gender-based affirmative action. The third, I believe O.J. Simpson butchered to innocent human beings… how dare I suggest that the fate of blacks is, well, in the hands of blacks!” (Pg. 2) [Later, he adds, “After the O.J. acquittal, prosecutor Marcia Clark accused the predominantly black jury of refusing to engage in critical thinking. She’s right.” (Pg. 38)
Of Reparations, he observes, “Do wealthy blacks get a check? Should descendants of those who came to America after slavery pay up? Should descendants of those who came to America after slavery pay up? Should descendants of those who fought and died on the Union side pay up? Should we make deductions for the trillions of dollars spent by the government on social programs from which blacks have benefited? What about people of mixed race? Should the payment correspond only to the percentage of a given citizen’s ‘black blood’? Should we get a contribution from the African nations? After all, some black Africans assisted in the slave trade… Suppose the slave trade never happened, and today’s … American blacks instead live in Africa. Would they be better off? Reparations, indeed! What a waste of time and energy.” (Pg. 10)
He defines, “A ‘victicrat’ blames all ills, problems, concerns, and unhappiness on others. This black victicrat mentality emerges in strange, unpredictable, confusing, and frequently inconsistent ways.” (Pg. 22)
He suggests, “Poverty causes crime? … No, the formula is more likely that other way around: crime causes poverty. The more crime, the less incentive for business-people to locate businesses in that area. Store owners must charge consumers more to offset losses caused by theft and higher insurance premiums. Homeowners, apartment dwellers, and business-people pay increased security costs to combat the ever-present threat of theft or violent crime. THIS impoverishes neighborhoods.” (Pg. 45)
He states, “Many whites fail to hold blacks to the same standard to which they hold themselves… these whites preach that hard work and education lead to success. They preach that whether facing success or failure, always assume personal responsibility for one’s own actions. Yet, when it comes to blacks, whites often fail to preach what they practice. They fail to demand responsible behavior from blacks, blaming bad conduct on ‘environmental factors.’ How smug. How condescending.” (Pg. 75)
He asserts, “Feminists refuse to acknowledge a simple fact. A lot of women think the corporate rat race sucks. Polls show that both men and women, when given a choice, would prefer a stay-at-home mom to nurture and raise the children. Many… women with MBAs … ten years after receiving their degrees, 20 percent don’t work at all---most of those having opted out of the workplace in favor of family life… Many female professionals … simply refuse to put in the time, effort, energy, and sacrifice required to become number one. Why should this be considered a bad thing?” (Pg. 139)
Of the Family and Medical Leave Act, he says, “It makes those likely to use the [FMLA]---women---more expensive… This law raises the price of hiring a woman… Oh, the employer thinks, she has two kids. What happens when the inevitable crises come up? How can I afford to keep a job open, and pay benefits despite her absence?... Some ‘feminist’ activists refuse to believe that companies, out of their own self-interest, will say, as many have already done, ‘Hey, if we want to attract top-notch females, many of whom have children, we need to do something.’ And, what of the other employees who pick up the slack for the woman out on family leave?” (Pg. 142)
He acknowledges, “approximately 40 percent of women report harassment at work Does sexual harassment hold women back?... Yes, many men are pigs. But, again, the best defense against inappropriate make conduct directed toward women is competence… If the organization fails to appreciate her value, she should walk. Quickly. Ideally, to the nearest competitor.” (Pg. 145)
He contrasts Republicans and Democrats: “Republicans propose less spending and typically call for less government than the average Democrat. Many Republicans, however, urge the Supreme Court to outlaw abortion; call for voluntary prayer in public schools; want flag-burning banned; refuse to allow gays to serve openly in the military; and call for… laws prohibiting the legalization same-sex marriage. The Democrats spend our money freely, While Republicans propose less spending, but not much less… Republicans control Congress, but subsidies for farmers still flow… There is a word for ‘mainstream’ Democratic ideolog. It is SOCIALISM. And ‘mainstream’ Republicans ideology? SOCIALISM-LITE.” (Pg. 232)
He proposes the legalization of drugs: “It accounts for 50 percent of all street crimes and perhaps 30 percent of the prison population.” (Pg. 234) He adds, “The war against drugs … assumes people are too stupid, too reckless, and too irresponsible to decide whether and under what conditions to consume drugs. The war on drugs is morally corrupt.” (Pg. 253)
He notes, “Libertarians believe Americans smart enough, wise enough, mature enough, capable enough to manage their own affairs to the fullest extent possible.” (Pg. 244)
This book will be of keen interest to Libertarians, and to many or most conservatives.
August 9, 2016
Written by an unabashed Libertarian, this book talks about things that it's not politically correct to say (at least in public). I'll list each one.
Blacks Are More Racist than Whites - The subtlties of black racism. Very interesting. Also statistics to back it up.
The Media Bias -- It's Real, It's Widespread, It's Destructive - I read the first part of this one. He shows how the media doesn't intentionally exhibit biased reporting. It's just the way reporters and journalists interact and exchange information. Also, how certain ideologies are taken for granted as factual.
There Is No Health Care "Crisis" - Another fascinating look into the medical industry. Why we don't have enough doctors, why they see themselves as above other businesses, and why the medical profession along with the Government has kept it that way.
Republicans Versus Democrats -- Maybe a Dime's Worth of Difference - It made me think. Granted he's a Libertarian, so a lot of his criticism was geared toward an extreme way of fixing the country's political problems. But he raised some good points. I'll read this chapter more thoroughly when I buy the book.
Gun Control Advocates -- Good Guys with Blood on Their Hands - Quotes "More Guns, Less Crime" a lot. This was an abbreviated version of that book. Still, it was good.
These chapters I didn't read. I'll read them (and the previous ones again) after I buy the book.
The War Against Drugs Is Vietnam II: We're Losing This One, Too
White Condescension Is as Bad as Black Racism
The Glass Ceiling -- Full of Holes
America's Greatest Problem: Not Crime, Racism, or Bad Schools -- It's Illegitimacy
America's Welfare State: The Tyranny of the Status Quo
Blacks Are More Racist than Whites - The subtlties of black racism. Very interesting. Also statistics to back it up.
The Media Bias -- It's Real, It's Widespread, It's Destructive - I read the first part of this one. He shows how the media doesn't intentionally exhibit biased reporting. It's just the way reporters and journalists interact and exchange information. Also, how certain ideologies are taken for granted as factual.
There Is No Health Care "Crisis" - Another fascinating look into the medical industry. Why we don't have enough doctors, why they see themselves as above other businesses, and why the medical profession along with the Government has kept it that way.
Republicans Versus Democrats -- Maybe a Dime's Worth of Difference - It made me think. Granted he's a Libertarian, so a lot of his criticism was geared toward an extreme way of fixing the country's political problems. But he raised some good points. I'll read this chapter more thoroughly when I buy the book.
Gun Control Advocates -- Good Guys with Blood on Their Hands - Quotes "More Guns, Less Crime" a lot. This was an abbreviated version of that book. Still, it was good.
These chapters I didn't read. I'll read them (and the previous ones again) after I buy the book.
The War Against Drugs Is Vietnam II: We're Losing This One, Too
White Condescension Is as Bad as Black Racism
The Glass Ceiling -- Full of Holes
America's Greatest Problem: Not Crime, Racism, or Bad Schools -- It's Illegitimacy
America's Welfare State: The Tyranny of the Status Quo
December 20, 2011
This is a great book written by Larry Elder. It covers many topics that most people are scared to speak out about, not Elder, he comes out and point blank states his opinion and what he believes can be done to fix it. I respect that. In the book, he covers black racism, white condescension, media bias, the glass ceiling, illegitimacy, which he goes as far as saying is America's greatest problem, the so called health care crisis, welfare, the differences between democrats and republicans, which seem to be dwindling, the drug war, and how we're losing it, and gun control. All of these topics are ones that I have a view on, and after reading his book my eyes have been opened to other viewpoints, I have learned so much more from Mr. Elder about these topics that I am extremely confident in my opinions and could say that this book has given me the ability to not have to worry about someone attempting to strike my views down because of the knowledge I have received. What I like most about the way he tells about the problems is how he presents more than just his view; he expresses the opposition as well as his point and the rights and wrongs of both sides. I would recommend this book to anyone that has political opinions and would like to learn more about other opinions and possibly be educated further on their own opinions.
February 6, 2008
It was a chore, but I finally finished (well, almost finished) this book. He has opened my eyes to his point of view. It has made me start to re-think my political affiliation, for which I am starting research. Although this book is in some ways outdated, and in some ways it over-simplified many issues, it is thought provoking, and that makes it worthwhile.
*******************
Now I am about halfway through and am finding that I disagree with alot of his analysis. I am also fatigued by his overuse of the term "toe-tag liberal." He is quite intelligent, but based on his writing, although I have never heard his radio show, I can now imagine the lathered spouting he must do to get his point across. That said, there are several points he makes that could help improve our social problems. I would love to have some Al Franken insight into what I am reading.
********************
I am on chapter 3 and I am very surprised by some of the things he has written. I am afraid, but I agree with much of what I have read so far. However, he is no literary giant. He could have used a better editor.
*******************
Now I am about halfway through and am finding that I disagree with alot of his analysis. I am also fatigued by his overuse of the term "toe-tag liberal." He is quite intelligent, but based on his writing, although I have never heard his radio show, I can now imagine the lathered spouting he must do to get his point across. That said, there are several points he makes that could help improve our social problems. I would love to have some Al Franken insight into what I am reading.
********************
I am on chapter 3 and I am very surprised by some of the things he has written. I am afraid, but I agree with much of what I have read so far. However, he is no literary giant. He could have used a better editor.
December 4, 2018
This is a nice book. Mr. Elder saved his most persuasive arguments for last, on the issue of hoplophobia. Had it not been for this, I would have rated the book 3 stars. His other arguments, while well supported, felt "light" as if they were lacking substance. I agreed with the vast majority of them nonetheless but it felt like a little more analysis was lacking. The book has a few minor spelling and grammatical mistakes which for me detracts from the book a little.
Mr Elder relies heavily and often convincingly on anecdotes which to me isn't always enough.
I enjoyed the extensive use of quotations to support his arguments and he did criticize the institutional Right, ie Republicans, on a whole host of issues from massive tax subsidies for large corporations to current drug policy and its dire need for reform. This demonstrates he thinks for himself and came to his own conclusions. Needless to say, he does come down more heavily on the political Left in this country.
Mr Elder relies heavily and often convincingly on anecdotes which to me isn't always enough.
I enjoyed the extensive use of quotations to support his arguments and he did criticize the institutional Right, ie Republicans, on a whole host of issues from massive tax subsidies for large corporations to current drug policy and its dire need for reform. This demonstrates he thinks for himself and came to his own conclusions. Needless to say, he does come down more heavily on the political Left in this country.
April 14, 2007
I read this for my book discussion group. While I didn't agree with everything he said, I did enjoy the book. I felt that he started out much stronger than he finished and thought that he made a number of very good points regarding racism, affirmative action, and illegitimacy. I imagine he would make a very entertaining speaker. What I did wish for was less reliance on his personal experience as "evidence" that supported his own particular viewpoint, and his evidence for the nonexistence of global warming has been debunked by the legitimate scientific community so I have to wonder about some of his other scientific evidence.
June 23, 2008
Okay, so my copy of this book, originally published in 1998, was updated in 2000 in order to include the "final word" on the Bush-Gore election that year. So, basically, the data used to support the arguments are not always pertinent to today's statistics. However, many of them still stand the test of ten years down the road. Of particular interest is the state of the Welfare State, illegitimacy, black racism and white condescension, not to mention the whole chapter on gun control. I need to seriously get serious about getting a handgun for the house.
Anyway, it's still a pretty relevant book ten years down the road and I'd be interested in seeing it updated just a tad.
Anyway, it's still a pretty relevant book ten years down the road and I'd be interested in seeing it updated just a tad.
April 23, 2018
Had a lot of good things to say, and I agreed with a lot of it -- disagreed with some of it as well.
Mostly, this was just nothing new to me. Some of the anecdotes were intriguing, and were things I had not heard before. But mostly, there was a lot of stuff in here that I was already familiar with.
That is the main reason for the 3-star rating. If you don't know a lot about these subjects, I might rate it higher. This is a subjective rating to be sure. It WAS filled with a lot of good information, if perhaps sometimes a bit rambling. If someone is new to these subjects, it can certainly be very eye-opening.
Mostly, this was just nothing new to me. Some of the anecdotes were intriguing, and were things I had not heard before. But mostly, there was a lot of stuff in here that I was already familiar with.
That is the main reason for the 3-star rating. If you don't know a lot about these subjects, I might rate it higher. This is a subjective rating to be sure. It WAS filled with a lot of good information, if perhaps sometimes a bit rambling. If someone is new to these subjects, it can certainly be very eye-opening.
August 29, 2008
I wasn't a big fan of Mr. Elder on tv, but I got intrested in his talk show. That's what prompted me to buy his book. What an honest discussion on some of the most sensitive topics in America. He didn't just give his opinion and say,"Well you know..." He supported his views with facts! Then he made those facts easy for anyone to look up. Wow! If only more discussions were so honest with what's wrong in this world, just maybe there be more solutions.
January 23, 2018
I found the book in a thrift book store yesterday and having listened to Larry in Dave Rubin's interview I bought it right away. I could not believe this book is 17 years old since its never been more relevant. The same people being talked about here are still around doing the same thing to this day. Having listened to Mr Elder for a while now he really writes the way he talks. Ten Things is really entertaining to read despite what its all about.
November 12, 2012
I loved this book. Some of the things in here, you really do not feel free to say in polite company, though I'm sure everyone knows/thinks them. [return][return]The chapter on illegitimacy is very poignant. As anyone who works in a poor school district can tell you, the lack of good male role models is a HORRIBLE problem in impoverished areas.
December 1, 2012
I disagree with about 90% of what Mr. Elder says, but I think it is good to understand why people one doesn't see eye to eye with feel the way they do. He lays out his arguments in a reasonable and well-researched manner (for the most part) and he does bring up some interesting points that should be at least thought about and discussed.
July 31, 2013
I've heard about Mr. Elder from a friend and decided to buy this book a few years back. I've read it twice throughout my subway and bus commute. I consider myself a libertarian as well and it is refreshing that a highly intelligent black man stands out and speaks the truth about what's going on with our society no matter what race anyone is.
December 17, 2015
This book is painfully predictable. Elder serves all of the regular courses: bash Rachel Carson, question climate change, attack Britain's NHS, etc... I actually agree with the author on some of his main points, such as illegitimacy being one of America's main problems, but Elder fails to find convincing reasons for his conclusions. I will not be coming back to this book.
February 23, 2008
Okay, never finished the book (now packed into storage, so it won't be going on my current reads list any time soon), but of the chapters I read I thoroughly enjoy Elder's ideas. He doesn't seem to be writing for shock value, though he knows the ideas are "taboo".
December 24, 2025
Larry Elder is brilliant and knows what he's talking about. He addresses the "victicrat" mentality that many embody in our society today by touching on things that may offend the politically correct crowd.
August 7, 2011
Found it to be very interesting; filled with lots of facts I was unaware of. He covers a whole spectrum of topics from racism to healthcare and gun control to the war on drugs. There are so many more books, tha he sighted in this on, that I want to read.
May 12, 2018
I am a fan of Mr.Elder. He is arational, clear thinker and he speaks the truth. A necessary reading at a time when the most innocent remark becomes a reason to complain and hide in safe spots. My second read of this book with a new prospective.......Who could believe it would get so crazy.......
December 3, 2008
He wrote this before he jumped ship, became a Republican, and started hosting "Moral Court".
January 31, 2008
He is the man Jesse Jackson wishes he was.
May 22, 2008
Difficult at first but an honest look at major problems in our country from a libertarian's perspective.
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