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BTI Press Race, Genes and Ability: Rethinking Ethnic Differences By Dr. Alondra Oubre www.raceandgenesbook.com Race, Genes and Ability: Rethinking Ethnic Differences, by Dr. Alondra Oubre, is a broad discussion of the nature vs. nurture (genetics vs. environment) debate over the causes of so-called "black underachievement.” Written in non technical language, this reader-friendly, two-volume book set highlights key scientific research findings – including crucial less known information -- relating primarily to People of African Descent. It offers compelling reading for lay audiences, students and professionals alike interested in understanding what the latest genetics research can – and cannot – tell us about ethnic, or racial, differences in IQ scores, academic performance, health, income and other measures of social well-being. More importantly, Race, Genes and Ability identifies workable solutions – environmental interventions -- that are helping to narrow the ethnic achievement gap, especially between blacks and other ethnic groups. The books also explore fascinating findings on health disparities, including genetic and environmental factors that put certain ethnic minority groups at increased risk for certain diseases. Drawing from expert knowledge in human biology and psychology, three chapters examine the reasons for African American athletic success in professional sports such as track, basketball, and football. What may make Race, Genes and Ability most unique is that it conveniently integrates and condenses into two volumes a host of counter-evidence debunking modern racial science claims specifically about black populations, whether in the United States, Africa, or other areas of the world. It interweaves a wide array of scientific evidence that clearly shows why black/Latino/white/Asian divide in life outcomes ultimately is linked with environmental causes (and/or developmental biology). The discussion is not limited to the ethnic gap in IQ scores and scholastic tests. It also includes the nature vs. nurture debate over “race and social behaviors” – behaviors such as crime rates, unwed pregnancies, family stability, mental illness and other highly sensitive social patterns. The take home lesson is that ethnic differences in mental, personality, and behavioral traits (in cases where differences truly exist) – as well as in so-called racial or ethnic social patterns -- are NOT due to racial genetic ancestry – that is, inborn race-based predispositions. While the topics that Race, Genes and Ability addresses are clearly controversial, the discussion is always civil and diplomatic. The chapters are organized such that readers can go through them sequentially in order, or instead, skip around and examine them as stand-alone essays. For avid readers, this is a book set that can be perused fairly quickly. Those who may not usually pick up a book about science may find the easy-to-understand format refreshing and the contents perhaps enlightening. These individuals too can raise their science IQ, even if they read the two volumes slowly over many, many months. Race, Genes and Ability is a source of information that can be revisited again and again. REVIEWS “I highly recommend Race, Genes and Ability. This book is refreshingly comprehensive, dealing with various perspectives and new research that illuminates the nature-nurture debate. I found it extremely educational and challenging. Written in accessible language for both scholarly and lay audiences, Alondra Oubré re-examines the evidence about the impact of genes and the environment on developmental biology and social behavior. These books should be required reading for anyone interested in understanding the risks inherent in so-called racial science.” Alvin F. Poussaint, M,D., Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School “Race, Genes, and Ability: Rethinking Ethnic Differences is a monumental work. It looks at the contemporary publications on race, and tackles the proverbial controversies in science over biological determinism versus social causality, nurture versus nature, heredity versus learned behavior. It is a comprehensive, exhaustive, carefully documented examination, exploration, and analysis of articles and books by race scientists, and the published works that relate to and/or contradict the arguments of the race scientists. Rarely do we see a work that covers so much territory and in such a careful and engaging way. Dr. Oubré is an excellent writer who has carefully and studiously crafted a devastating argument against the race scientists….I consider Dr. Oubré to be one of the most diligent and most intellectually vibrant scientists of our era. Every scholar should read this two volume work. It will become a classic, a superior source of information and analyses that will be a major reference for all future work on race as biology.” Audrey Smedley, Ph.D., Author of Race in North America Professor of Anthropology, Emerita; Virginia Commonwealth University • FOR MORE BOOK REVIEWS AND FLIER, SEE: http://raceandgenesbook.com/press-and-reviews.html • http://www.biopoliticaltimes.org/article.php?id=5705 • Press Release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8433243.htm • Book Background: http://raceandgenesbook.com/background.html • Sample Excerpts: http://raceandgenesbook.com/synopsis-and-chapter-titles.html [click download button at bottom of page] • Author’s Bio: http://raceandgenesbook.com/about-the-author.html • Related publications by the author: - http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/05-02-18/ - http://www.aawc.com/ebonicsarticle.html - http://www.accessexcellence.org/MTC/96PT/oubre.php - http://mg.co.za/article/1995-08-25-south-africas-cure-allure BTI Press A Division of Biocultural Technologies Institute 6433 Topanga Canyon Blvd. #552 Woodland, CA 91303 USA Phone: 888-884-0557 Fax: 818-338-2520 info@raceandgenesbook.com raceandgenesbook.com btipress.com Departments - Phone: 888-884-0557 General Information: info@raceandgenesbook.com Ext. 101 Bulk / Discount Book Orders: sales@raceandgenesbook.com Ext. 102 Media Inquiries: press@raceandgenesbook.com Ext. 104 Upcoming Events: events@raceandgenesbook.com Ext. 105