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Caste
The Origins of Our Discontents
The word “caste” is a term Americans generally associate with other countries. Author Isabel Wilkerson uses the concept to help readers gain new insight into how some of the deepest injustices in our own nation have come to be. Race is rarely mentioned in this book, but readers will gain new perspectives on racism in the United States.
Author: Isabel Wilkerson
Year of Publishing: 2020
Number of Pages: 496
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Reviews
Julie VanDeHey (verified owner) –
Caste is a powerful and eye opening book about the deeplt ingrained caste system in India which shows the impact on people’s lives.
Through stories It shows it less as a social construct and more of a force that determines people’s resources and opportunities.
It challenged me to look at my own biases and help make a more just and equitable society.
Julie VanDeHey (verified owner) –
Caste is a powerful and eye opening book about the deeply ingrained caste system in India which shows the impact on people’s lives
Through stories It shows it less as a social construct and more of a force that determines people’s resources and opportunities.
It challenged me to look at my own biases and help make a more just and equitable society.
moriah (verified owner) –
A book that is speaking truth to the realities that every day Americans experience. To inform others how America has structured its cities and lives. Every American should read this book.
tstevensgarcia (verified owner) –
Excellent look into how America’s unique system of slavery created a caste system in the United States. My favorite parts were two extended metaphors (one about medical history and the other about an old house) how and why one should study shameful parts of history.
christinahedge (verified owner) –
Isabel is an amazing author! She is incredible at explaining tough concepts by using the art of storytelling and analogies. Her writing is vivid and bursts with passion.
Her book explains the unspoken American caste system in great detail.
I loooove reading a female scholars work.
Thanks ford family for the opprtunity!
Nickm (verified owner) –
Powerful read! Recommended to me by many and it did not disappoint. Extremely truthful.
sterling (verified owner) –
Wonderful and terrible and eye opening
garciac113 (verified owner) –
Excellent read
chochis (verified owner) –
This is an incredibly important book. I’ve always believed the idea that we Americans were taught early on: “education is the great equalizer” but it seems that some people are born into an inherently disadvantaged path. They are destined to have a greater difficulty in achieving the same things others take for granted. It really has challenged the merit-based system I believed America was operating within. There are inherent biases in every day systems and I’ve become more aware of them thanks to this book. Should be a must-read for all highschoolers.
nelsolau (verified owner) –
Rich, informative. Must read.
sebastian (verified owner) –
This book contributes to great understanding of the divisiveness endemic in our country today. Furthermore, it educates the reader on the origins of the many ills that divide us. Great read.
palomich91 (verified owner) –
I had heard about this book and it was such a interesting read. I learned so much!
Nicole Owens (verified owner) –
Eye opening – great discussion with family
Dawn Yates (verified owner) –
Very interesting topic that the author explains in a way that non scholars can follow.
Juliana Minn (verified owner) –
Good book with great historical and personal accounts to help illustrate the author’s theory. Accounts are from the U.S., Europe (mostly circa WW2), and India. I still think that there is more at play in discrimination whether in the U.S. or elsewhere, however (i.e., we cannot discount the effects of class completely and racism has deeper roots that go farther back than the author theorizes).
kroundy (verified owner) –
Using social stratification systems across societies in the 20th century as a comparative backdrop, Wilkerson presents a damning examination of modern America and the legacy of our own racial and social caste system that has served to limit mobility and opportunity among Americans of color for much of our past and present. Ever present and often overlooked, this system of injustices barring large segments of the population from full, equitable participation provides eye-opening evidence that could benefit all readers in understanding our current social, economic, and political schisms we face as a nation today.
Justin Chin (verified owner) –
Addictive and immersive read
ChristinaC (verified owner) –
Such an amazing book. Everyone should read it!
TayM (verified owner) –
An amazing book! The history lesson that everyone needs to know.
CJ (verified owner) –
Stunning! The best and most comprehensive examination of the deeper, insidious, long-lasting impacts of America’s slavery system paralleled with comparisons to India’s caste system.
Cheryl Trosper (verified owner) –
Caste is a beautifully written, deeply disturbing account of the horrific truth about the caste system not only in other countries, but in our country, the US. It is profoundly sad and a call to step up and end the caste system in our society. It helped me understand what I have often felt and experienced as a person reared in generational poverty, but what I didn’t understand enough was how pervasively oppressive it has been in the US for everyone, especially, African Americans. I wish everyone would read this book and I know I will share it with others, and I will use it as an ongoing resource. I think those whose ancestors were enslaved in this country must have reparations, though it can never make up for the cruelty so many endured. Ending the caste system and systemic racism will help us all.
arnoldlk (verified owner) –
Such an engaging read with a lot of history. An eye opening book that gives a different perspective and framework for understanding racism in America. I really enjoyed the writing style as well.
tkwilson (verified owner) –
Read the first chapter and I’m already interested in reading more but it does take a lot of energy to read as a POC, but also empowering to know more about why
Bren (verified owner) –
A deep dive into understanding ourselves and our inequitable system.
Simmie (verified owner) –
I’ve read numerous books on race divisions to gain an understanding of the context of America. I found this book to be comprehensive in its examination of the caste system in other places and the parallels to the United States.
Maria Murphy (verified owner) –
This book is written so well and with so much insight. You could almost call it the academic guide to Demon Copperhead. “Caste” should be in every high school and college classroom.
Samantha Herron (verified owner) –
Very enlightening read on disparities between rural families, race, and background.
kalika (verified owner) –
Fantastic book. It was thought provoking and insightful. It was a good mix of research and anecdote which made it easy to read. I would highly recommend it.
Danielle Stolk (verified owner) –
A thoughtful look at the unspoken caste system in the US.
Chanpone sinlapasai (verified owner) –
Brilliant and heartbreaking read. The extensive of the caste system in India, Europe, and the USA taught me so much about racism, colorism, and how a human can have little value. It’s a must read and give yourself time to process and reflect.
Deanna English (verified owner) –
while insightful on the origins of the world of caste in other countries, it has so much to say about our own divisions and caste system that is and has been part of our history.
CV (verified owner) –
Caste was thought-provoking and eye-opening to how slavery was weaved into the fabric of America and why it persists today.
Jamie Willard (verified owner) –
An incredibly powerful book that is equal parts informative, thoughtful, and compelling. I tore through this and am excited to lend it to friends.
sum33 (verified owner) –
Wonderful and eye-opening read. I recommend this book!
Kathy Franson (verified owner) –
Very interesting read. A whole new way to look at society in America
[email protected] (verified owner) –
Privilege ingrained into American society for the purpose of monetary gain and power at the expense of Black citizens exposed how deep racism runs and furthermore, how colonization brought the Caste system to marginalized groups. This was an extremely powerful book and a must read!
Jacqualyn Hardin (verified owner) –
Excellent way of discussing the issue.
Jennifer Monk (verified owner) –
This was a deep read for me very interesting to know how other races are treated and how we all need to treat all races with kindness and dignity. Enduring hardship due to race all around the world needs to be addressed. We all can do our part.
nirese (verified owner) –
Should be required reading for classes like humanities, history, and government.
Billy Crawford (verified owner) –
Such an important book to help understand how the US got to where we are now.
Karalyn Jenkins (verified owner) –
A must read.
Emma Boobar (verified owner) –
This book educated me on my own biases and shines a light where many people don’t want to look. It helped me understand society and how to better exist in it and understand it.
Carol Evans (verified owner) –
Caste is a thought-provoking read!
Cassey Moran (verified owner) –
Powerful read, lead to great discussions to challenge biases.
Andrea Vazquez Fernandez (verified owner) –
such an eye opening + essential read. written with poise and compassion this book presents truth in a truly moving and honest way! highly recommend.
Erin Mullaney (verified owner) –
I haven’t read it yet but I’ve heard interviews with Isabel Wilkerson and she’s amazing. This seems like an important book
Kris Hines (verified owner) –
I’m so thrilled to be able to have a book like this available to help me understand another perspective.
William Sullivan (verified owner) –
Very insightful!
mcdonnek (verified owner) –
One of the most difficult books I have ever read. I had to take many breaks while reading to take a breath, calm down before continuing. Hard to read but should be a must read for everyone.
Renata Triolo (verified owner) –
This is a heavy book not just long but full of difficult truths. Despite the length, Wilkerson writing is riveting and makes it easy to keep turning the pages to learn more. Not only does this book present you with a way to look at the structure of American experience and power structures, but it encouraged me to seek out further enlightenment.
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