I really didn’t care for this book. Almost didn’t finish it, but it’s very short so what the hell, I guess. I’m not sure I could explain my negative reaction especially because I more or less support the authors’ main points. The book is crammed with figures and footnotes, but I always felt they were playing loosely with statistics. One specific bit that bugged me, early on, was a statement on p50 “[Non-communicable diseases] alter the genes passed on to future generations...”. I believe this is flat out incorrect. The statement wasn’t footnoted, but I suspect they’re talking about epigenetics, not genes. A similar statement on page 54 about drug addiction altering “genes” was footnoted, and the title of the source in fact mentioned epigenetics. That’s just sloppy, I believe.

Anyway, as I mentioned, I think I agree with most of the main points of the book, but I really didn’t like their writing style. A few attempts at criticizing Democrats and praising Republicans here and there, but overall very partisan. And a total lack of any sense of humility or empathy for their opponents.

Steve Pinker gave the book a very nice blurb but I honestly wonder if he really read it — his own recent books cover some of the same ground but are far better. ( )