The History of White People - by Nell Irvin Painter (Paperback)

About the Book

In this "New York Times" bestseller, Painter guides readers through more than 2,000 years of Western civilization, illuminating not only the invention of race but also the frequent praise of "whiteness" for economic, scientific, and political ends.

Book Synopsis

Telling perhaps the most important forgotten story in American history, eminent historian Nell Irvin Painter guides us through more than two thousand years of Western civilization, illuminating not only the invention of race but also the frequent praise of "whiteness" for economic, scientific, and political ends. A story filled with towering historical figures, The History of White People closes a huge gap in literature that has long focused on the non-white and forcefully reminds us that the concept of "race" is an all-too-human invention whose meaning, importance, and reality have changed as it has been driven by a long and rich history of events.

Review Quotes

[I]ntriguing and well researched. This is an important addition to the nascent academic field of whiteness studies, which examines the social construction of whiteness with particular attention to the American experience. It should be read by all historians and anyone with an interest in cultural studies. "

An insightful and lively exposition from a distinguished scholar. --Linda Gordon"

Compelling, energetic, [and] highly readable. --Alan Nadel"

One of the most important books ever on the social construction of the notion that there is a white race. "

Compelling, energetic, [and] highly readable.--Alan Nadel