The Bell Curve

I am more than halfway through this book. I'll republish after I've finally finished it. Thus far, The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life by Richard J. Hernstein and Charles Murray is a very thorough meta-examination of many of the scholarly studies regarding intelligence conducted by various agencies throughout the 20th century.

Findings are clearly explained and statistical terms and methodologies are explained in text boxes in the middle of the text, but have lengthier, more thorough explanations in the Appendices. The volume also contains extensive endnotes for those of a more scholarly bent - or interested in further investigating some of their controversial findings. Thus far, I've found the book to be very thought-provoking, though I do not take this work as gospel truth. I think the purpose of the book was to generate dialog and for readers to self-examine their own position in society and the preconceived ideas we have about intelligence, social problems, and how they may - or may not - correlate. I think Hernstein and Murray have accomplished this task.

While very interesting, this book is rather lengthy and though not difficult for the educated layperson, it's not light or easy reading either. This one is a challenge, but will give you some good conversation topics for debate.

Recommended - especially for those with an interest in sociology or economics.