Caste (Oprah's Book Club): The Origins of Our Discontents
The Pulitzer Prize–winning, bestselling author of The Warmth of Other Suns examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions.
NAMED THE #1 NONFICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR BY TIME, ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY People • The Washington Post • Publishers Weekly AND ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review • O: The Oprah Magazine • NPR • Bloomberg • Christian Science Monitor • New York Post • The New York Public Library • Fortune • Smithsonian Magazine • Marie Claire • Town & Country • Slate • Library Journal • Kirkus Reviews • LibraryReads • PopMatters
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist • National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist • PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction Finalist • PEN/Jean Stein Book Award Longlist
“As we go about our daily lives, caste is the wordless usher in a darkened theater, flashlight cast down in the aisles, guiding us to our assigned seats for a performance. The hierarchy of caste is not about feelings or morality. It is about power—which groups have it and which do not.”
In this brilliant book, Isabel Wilkerson gives us a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, through an immersive, deeply researched narrative and stories about real people, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings.
Beyond race, class, or other factors, there is a powerful caste system that influences people’s lives and behavior and the nation’s fate. Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more. Using riveting stories about people—including Martin Luther King, Jr., baseball’s Satchel Paige, a single father and his toddler son, Wilkerson herself, and many others—she shows the ways that the insidious undertow of caste is experienced every day. She documents how the Nazis studied the racial systems in America to plan their out-cast of the Jews; she discusses why the cruel logic of caste requires that there be a bottom rung for those in the middle to measure themselves against; she writes about the surprising health costs of caste, in depression and life expectancy, and the effects of this hierarchy on our culture and politics. Finally, she points forward to ways America can move beyond the artificial and destructive separations of human divisions, toward hope in our common humanity.
Beautifully written, original, and revealing, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is an eye-opening story of people and history, and a reexamination of what lies under the surface of ordinary lives and of American life today.
Reviews (205)
Insulting...you don't know what Caste is.
What a piece of drivel....If you know what Caste is, you insult those afflicted by it. Caste is immutable, you are born with it, you die with it, no movement is possible. Really should educated yourself on Caste and how it affects people outside your social justice bubble.
Decided to return after the first 5 pages.
The first pages revealed a bias towards the left. Should have read the reviews before wasting my time.
Great author and researcher! (Amazon please do something about the biased reviews)
Such a great author. Loved her first book also.
Too political, anti American, here to convince not to inform.
First chapter was all about Trump. Is everything Trump’s fault, really? He’s pretty crappy, but all his fault? Then I continued reading and it was very anti-American. Racism, colorism and caste exist powerfully all over the world. I’m my opinion, this book promotes a victim mentality and what a coincidence that it was released right before the election.
Best Audiobook since Michele Obama in “Becoming”
Ten years ago, I read “The Warmth of Other Suns”....The epic story of America’s Great Migration .... One of the most highly imagined - engrossing - heartfelt books I’ve ever read. There were three main unforgettable characters— their complexities - individual stories - and motivations for what they did - had to do - was soooo well written and experienced from Isabel Wilkerson...I’ve never forgotten the power and impact her book left on me. Ten years later...brings me to: “Caste...The Origins of Our Discontents”....( an Oprah Book Club pick... more deserving than all other ‘club-picks’, combined)....is an exceptional- needed - extraordinary - masterful - BEST NON FICTION BOOK ....perfect timing book - in the pandemic year of 2020 - that brings a whole new meaning to the term: “INSTANT CLASSIC”. *Audiobook*....read by Robin Miles [14hours and 26 minutes] .... Robin is the perfect reader for this book. Two full days of compelling binge listening. This book only left my side for one phone call, ( Tzipora), and couple of quick messages. The last time I listened to an audiobook with this much gusto, was when I listened to Michelle Obama read from her book ‘Becoming’. This book changes us... It has changed me. I’ll never think of caste, American Caste, dominate caste, subordinate caste, mis-casting of caste, sickness of caste, hate, suffering, violence, rejection of caste, cruelty of caste, disparity, fears, resentments, intolerance, mocking, beliefs, assumptions, lies upon lies, stereotyping, slavery, abuse, discrimination, oppression, class, blacks, white, race, hierarchy, and collective madness the same again. There is no returning to where I started from before this book. I learned so much more about American history....about AMERICAN CASTE HISTORY... realizing how much I never understood before. It would take me 5 to 10 years to write a deserving review to match a third of this highly accomplished book. And now that I’ve finished it - it might be a better use of my time to read professionals reviews, watch YouTube’s, podcasts, interviews, and read other readers reviews, than spend the next many years trying to write one book review myself. I do intend to stay engaged with the conversations - ( be mindful as one Goodreads buddy said), and apply action where it seems appropriate). Oprah must have some discussion group going, yes? I’d pay to join a quality book discussion with Isabel Wilkerson speaking. The only other time I engaged with one of Oprah’s online book clubs, was when she and Eckhart Tolle...lead a ten week -weekly hour- online gathering discussion- chapter by chapter ( people from around the world). Point is, I’m at at age, stage, and readiness of wanting to stay engaged learning, growing, re-evaluating, reassessing, being mindful, and taking action when it comes to social injustice- intolerance- racial justice - and civil liberties. Reading this book....was fitting with my own commitment to the cause. While digesting so much information from this book - I’m aware that I’ve still no idea just how ‘much’ this book is a useful gift ....it’s opened a new pathway inside my brain...for more...new... greater effective learning. Isabel Wilkerson connects caste histories - giving us a connective experience of the caste system in India, Nazi Germany, and in America. For example, Isabel, explains how radical inequality in America has its parallel in caste in inequality in India even though by definition race and caste are not the same thing. She draws different parallels from different systems of oppression. She breaks down eight pillars of caste: ( explores each of these with us to better understand) ....Foundations of caste origins of discontents ....Divine Will and Laws of Nature ....Heritability ....Endogamy and the Control of Marriage and Mating ....Purity Versus Pollution ....Occupational Hierarchy: The Jatis and the Mudsill ....Dehumanization and Stigma ....Terror as Enforcement, Cruelty as a Means of Control ....Inherent Superiority Versus Inherent Inferiority Race and Caste are examined - how they are similar and how they are different. Both divide society in many ways to the unfair advantage of certain groups over others. I particularly liked when Isabel included real people, situations, and their ‘oh-my-fricken-god’ stories that gave me a more direct experience of the intensity of discrimination. My mind connects best with real stories include...and there are plenty. There were several personal stories that will stay with me ... ....one was about a woman named *Miss*, ....another true ‘sharing-story’ about when Isabel was in a position where she was accused of impersonating herself. I’m still chuckling over that one. ....THIS IS AN INSIDE FUNNY FOR READERS WHO HAVE ALREADY READ THIS BOOK: In need for a new mailbox? Haha! There’s an old saying I learned years ago.... If you have a flat tire, and you’re angry about it.... you can kick it, and kick it, and kick it again....but the tire will still be flat. I mentioned it might take years for me to write a proper review. I could write much more about this book and I’m sure it would be a beneficial process for myself.... However, at this point, best to share the real truth to others: READ IT!!! It really should be required reading - in our schools - families - for humanity. I hope I was able to contribute a small part, of adding my voice to the endorsement FOR WHY READ - ( audiobook was great for me)...this book. Reading will have many advantages too. I’d need to consider purchasing- and reading this book for a next read. The start was awesome - a creative fun way to get a regular reader interested - ( and again its must be said that the voice narrator, Robin Miles was fantastic); I was immediately hooked. I was never bored but there were a few parts that were harder for me to understand than others. The journey is a process. I don’t think I’m expected to understand everything from one read, but I got a hell of a lot out of it. Isabel Wilkerson is a genius. She’s a phenomenal teacher ( besides incredible author). I’m thankful for the added spoonfuls of sugar, to the much needed medicine: seriously’ helpful in digesting this much learning in 2 days. Is it even necessary to say? 5 strong stars - and more. elysejody
Now & Forever an Important Read
I waited for months for this book to come out. It did NOT disappoint. I feel it is ten times better than her first book, which is truly saying something if you read Warmth. She compares the caste systems of Nazi Germany, India, and America, and in what ways they parallel each other. She breaks down how caste systems work (8 pillars), and very eloquently makes it easy to understand - often using real life examples to illustrate. (even her own experiences). I had already read how Nazi Germany wanted to utilize America's Jim Crow laws for what they were wanting to do with the Jewish population. And although the Nazis deemed America the global leader in race laws at the time, they also deemed America's Jim Crow laws TOO HARSH for what they/the Nazis wanted to accomplish! How's that for a damning indictment of America's caste system? The book is a masterpiece. Unfortunately, the disparity between 1 star ratings and 5 star ratings tell the tale, as to how far America has yet to go with acknowledging, understanding, accepting, and owning its past and present. People can disagree or choose to not accept, but the facts are there, and she states them plainly for all to see. All in all, the people who need to read this book, won’t. If they do, they won’t finish. If they do finish, they will concentrate on trying to poke insignificant and/or irrelevant holes in it (which don’t stand up, and were most likely addressed by Wilkerson in the book), instead of focusing on the matter at hand. Wilkerson does talk to politics, economics, legalities, etc., as they all are directly and/or indirectly impacted by the influence of our caste system. Regardless of your beliefs, PLEASE finish this book, as there is too much knowledge to miss out on. Wilkerson demonstrates how the caste system is invisible and embedded into all parts of our society. She shows how the institutionalization of caste, individually and collectively, lingers on. Again, she does a phenomenal job of making this plain, only if people will accept it. If you disagree with this sentiment (that the effects of a caste system are still being felt), then in addition to Caste and the suggested reads below, I would ask you to read a short book called Color of Law by R. Rothstein. That book will illustrate ONE of the many lingering effects of America’s caste system, and how it has/is adversely impacting (and been sanctioned by) people at local, state, and federal levels. And yes, for the record, the effects of caste can still be in play regardless of Oprah, Obama, or Wilkerson becoming successes. . . (which 1 star review folks are so wont to claim as “proof” that there is no more racism/effects of caste, thus no need for this book, thus Wilkerson is wrong, etc. . . just sad) If you don’t want to accept it from Wilkerson or Rothstein, then turn to our own U.S. Government, and read the Kerner Report. The fact that The Kerner Report is still every bit as applicable today as it was then, only substantiates Wilkerson’s take on caste. I always like when others suggest additional good reads, so here you go: Race, Racism, and American Law by D. Bell The New Jim Crow by M. Alexander Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by I. Kendi Been in the Storm So Long: The Aftermath of Slavery by L. Litwack The Day Freedom Died: The Colfax Massacre, the Supreme Court, and the Betrayal of Reconstruction by C. Lane The Civil Rights Trilogy by Taylor Branch Race and Reunion by D. Blight An American Dilemma by G. Myrdal
Challenging, Powerful, Engagingly Written
Like many people, I've read even more books on race, society, and related issues since the BLM -- "Caste" by Wilkerson is a sobering, extremely beautifully written book on how race and caste have long determined how Black people and White people have formed American society. I admit to being only 50 pages into the book -- but the negative reviews I've read on Amazon have surprised me in one way, but not in another. And I feel compelled to write a review now. The attacking references about 'the left' that disparage the book ignore the scholarship, the clearcut analysis, and the deft thinking that the author puts forth -- those reviews tend to reflect a political mindset rather than a willingness to confront the facts of researched history. The unwillingness to deal with U.S. history beyond school textbooks has kept us in the dark about how to deal with touchy racial -- and caste -- issues. If you are White and privileged, as I am, it's eye-opening to read Wilkerson's painful recounting of so many thinkers, current and past, who explain how slavery has operated. Black people have undergone treatment that does not get eradicated by time -- just as Holocaust survivors cannot and do not want to forget the past, for fear of it being repeated. The author's prose style, furthermore, is close to poetry at times, even though her straightforward and expressive sentences are down to earth and matter of fact. I've been astounded at how each line carries a powerful punch, yet also expresses that power with poise and a dark beauty. Understanding the difference between caste and race has given me a whole new grasp on how Black people live in this country -- and why so many have had to live a life completely different from White people. Failing to understanding that difference is dangerous in terms of all of us coming together in harmonious and humanitarian ways. I am getting ready to order the Kindle version for my wife, since I am still reading, understanding, and starring the hard copy. This book is what people call 'a game-changer.' So far, I see no shortcomings, though I'm sure there are. Even her notes at the back of the book display the author's thorough scholarship without being pedantic. The only thing wrong with this book is a) not enough of the right people reading it, and b) people reading it with a closed mind, and already believing their own political beliefs are more important than the author's carefully researched thinking. I hope readers approach this book with an open mind, and discuss it in book clubs, and question their own souls, as my family and I have done (I have triplet 24-year-olds). With the election coming up, open minds are more important than ever, however one votes. This book is challenging, powerful, and engagingly written. Try it, please.
Author misunderstands Indian Caste System, can't be compared to incomparable.
Author misunderstands Indian Caste System, can't be compared to incomparable.
Required reading for educated Americans who want to understand where we are and how we got here
This will be challenging to read if you’re white (as I am). It provides a novel-to-most-Americans, very revealing historic lens that hasn’t been a part of the civics and history lessons most of us received. If you’ve come to this book because Oprah recommended it, brace yourself - it’s not intended to make Americans feel good about themselves and “nourished.” This book is a hard read, not because its text is dense or complicated, but because it pulls back the protective curtain that allows so many of us to feel good about the ideals that American society allegedly embodies. Pay attention to the negative reviews by triggered white people and let them prepare you for some foul-tasting, but very well written medicine. You won’t enjoy it. You should read it anyway.
Class, not race
The book makes some valid points and offers points for consideration. It's always good for any person to get a fresh take a subject, so I would never say not to read something. But that doesn't mean I agree with the authors framing of the subject. Where I take issue with this book is that the authors overall focus is that this US "caste" system is race-based, when my world experience has shown that the issues are absolutely class-based, and extend to all colors, in all regions, where there is lack of jobs or other opportunities. I also take argument against the label "caste system" being used to describe the US at all, simply because a true caste system leaves zero chance for advancement, and is literally the opposite of liberty and human rights, which the country is founded on. 'Zero chance for advancement' is simply not an accurate description the US, regardless of race or class, or if the author chooses to use a 'loose' definition of the word in order to make their case. Not to say things are always easy or fair, but a strong will and determination goes a long long way when it comes to 'breaking out of your caste'. And also, not to say Americas leadership has lived up to the ideals written in our constitution. Bad management doesn't equal a bad system. A McDonald's franchise owner can run a store into the ground, but that doesn't mean the franchise system doesn't work. This book, like quite a few popular titles right now, really gives an exclusionary vibe to anyone that isn't deemed to be part of the authors accepted group of people. Tbh, I'm not sure of the author frames everything around race intentionally, to try to pander to their own race of people, or if this is just another attempt at someone cashing in on the 'everythings racist' mantra that seems to be at peak popularity these days. Either way, it doesn't do is any good to take serious, complex, and far reaching problems and try to simplify them down to just race, while simultaneously excluding and blaming people who are largely in the exact same boat due to one reason: Class
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