
The Lies That Bind
Rethinking Identity
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Narrated by:
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Kwame Anthony Appiah
We all know how identities - notably, those of nationality, class, culture, race, and religion - are at the root of global conflict, but the more elusive truth is that these identities are created by conflict in the first place.
In provocative, entertaining chapters, Kwame Anthony Appiah interweaves keen-edged argument with engrossing historical tales - from Anton Wilhelm Amo, the 18th-century African child who became an eminent European academic, to Italo Svevo, the literary genius who changed countries without leaving home - and reveals the tangled contradictions within the stories that define us. The concept of the sovereign nation, Appiah tells us, is incoherent. Our everyday notions of race are the detritus of discarded science; the very idea of Western culture is a shimmering mirage. These beliefs, and more, are crafted from confusions - confusions Appiah sorts through to imagine a more hopeful future.
©2018 Kwame Anthony Appiah (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded BooksListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
"The author narrates his own work and does a terrific job. His reassuring, playful voice, tinged with a British accent, is immediately friendly and knowledgeable....overall, Appiah can count himself a double-threat." (AudioFile)
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Etymology of various commonly used terms was clearly explained.
worth listening a few times to get in all the names
wonderful listen
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Identity Politics Demystified
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H.S. students need to read Appiah
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Different perspectives
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I can't recommend this enough. Buy it!
Mind blown!
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I was also quite irritated, at first, at the idea that "western culture" isn't really a thing. It sounds a bit like the racist trope of "white people have no culture", which often follows the laughable claim the people of color cannot be racist. However, he eventually gets to his actual point, that "western culture" is actually a fairly new concept, and the ideals we ascribe to western culture are hardly universal within countries that claim the western identity. I don't entirely disagree, but I do appreciate the author's attempts to not obfuscate the real progress that has been made by, what I call, western culture.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Not full of SJW nonsense
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I learned so much. Much to ponder deeply as I reflect on the book.
Riveting discussion of Identity, Class, Movement of Culture around the World and More
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Highly recommended - especially the audio version read by the author. (For those of us who are audio learners)
Fresh air for identity consideration
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Very good summary of identity
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The democracy of which Appiah writes is one in which rule-of-law, freedom within the limits of rule-of-law, and equal opportunity are evident. However, contrary to Langston Hughes' poem, the sea is not calm. Democracies' sea is stormy because its principles are inconsistently practiced.
Appiah offers insight to how democracy can be improved. The key is equality of opportunity which implies democracy needs to focus on safety-net' issues which entail more help for lower- and middle-class income earners. In democracy, that means election of leaders who are willing to ensure equality of opportunity for all.
DEMOCRACY'S STORM
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