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53 pages 1 hour read

The Sum of Us

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2021

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Book Brief

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Heather McGhee

The Sum of Us

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In The Sum of Us, Heather McGhee explores how racism detrimentally affects all Americans, not just the directly marginalized. Drawing on travels across the U.S., McGhee details the widespread impact of racial hierarchies ingrained in economics and policy, from public pool closures to reduced public benefits. Ultimately, she argues that dismantling these hierarchies is beneficial for everyone, fostering a fairer society. Topics include racial violence, systemic inequality, and environmental racism.

Informative

Inspirational

Challenging

Emotional

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.7

23,966 ratings

95%

Loved it

4%

Mixed feelings

1%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Heather McGhee's The Sum of Us is widely praised for its insightful examination of how racism negatively impacts both people of color and white individuals in the U.S. Critics commend McGhee's thorough research and compelling storytelling. Some, however, find the book's solutions idealistic and lacking practical application. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and important read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Sum of Us?

Readers of The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee are socially conscious individuals interested in racial and economic justice. They appreciate works like Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow and Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me. Ideal for those who seek insightful analyses of societal structures and collective well-being.

4.7

23,966 ratings

95%

Loved it

4%

Mixed feelings

1%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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