Measured Lies: The Bell Curve Examined / Edition 1

by Aaron Gresson, Joe L. Kincheloe, Shirley R. Steinberg

Overview

The publication of Herrnstein and Murray's The Bell Curve enraged readers with its contention 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 governments. In Measured Lies, the first thoughtful and reasoned reading of The Bell Curve, Joe Kincheloe, Shirley Steinberg and Aaron Gresson 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: Henry Giroux, Michael Apple, Theresa Perry, Houston Baker, Christine Sleeter, Sander Gilman, William F. Pinar, Deborah Britzman, Donaldo Macedo, Stephen Haymes, Ronald Rochon, Peter McLaren, Ladi Semali, Cameron McCarthy, Yvonna S. Lincoln, Molefi Asante, Joyce King, Sonja Nieto, Warren Crichlow, Linda Meyers and Francine Hultgren. In addition to these original essays, Measured Lies contains interviews with Paolo Freires, Ellen Willis, and Stanley Aronowitz.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312172282
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan US
Publication date:	03/14/1997
Edition description:	1996
Pages:	454
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.04(d)

Editorial Reviews

"Measured Lies more than measures up, presenting a sound refutation of the faulty hype, and hidden political agenda that made The Bell Curve a media phenomenon." —Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale)

From the Publisher

In this volume, Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray, authors of the notorious The Bell Curve (Free Pr., 1994), are once again accused of specious methodology in their rationalization of a ("hoodoo") social science position that claims to validate an immutable genetic connection among low achievement, poverty, violent crime affecting an entire class of people (primarily African American), and I.Q. scores. The 44 contributors span a broad range of affiliation and focus. Similar to but more strident than those found in The Bell Curve Wars: Race, Intelligence, and the Future of America (LJ 4/15/94), these abundantly referenced essays criticize the validity of Herrnstein and Murray's thesis for use of questionable assumptions, reliance on racist scholars, rejection of contradictory evidence, and equation of correlation with cause. Part a product of an increasingly conservative society, part authors' bias, The Bell Curve is seen by the essayists as a seriously flawed, dangerous rearticulation of white supremacist/racist/class ideology. This thoughtful, readable anthology is highly recommended for academics, policy makers, and the general public.Suzanne W. Wood, SUNY Coll. of Technology, Alfred

Library Journal

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. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews