Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
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- Create Date：2021-04-14 11:55:09
- Update Date：2025-09-14
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- Author：Isabel Wilkerson
- ISBN：0593230256
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Summary
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。
“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。
“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。
Reviews
Nikki
，
Very well written and accessible。 I recommend this to anyone interested in why America is how it is。 In a nation that claims to be a meritocracy but clearly isn’t， this book goes a long way into explaining that。 I was both angered by a lot of the details in this book， but I also found some reasons to be hopeful。 This should be required reading for all Americans。
Suman Srivastava
，
Outstanding。 So much to learn and think about。 Whether you’re in America or India。 Especially if you’re the superior caste。
Marla
，
One of the hardest books I have ever read - but one of the most important ones too。 It was hard because the truth of caste systems is bloody， and depressing。 I found I could only read a chapter or two at a time， and then I had to take a break。 The historical truth hurt so much。 The last third of the book is about the last few years， and where we are now。 Hopefully by being aware of caste divisions we can work and rise above them。 That's why I believe this is a 'must read' for everyone。 One of the hardest books I have ever read - but one of the most important ones too。 It was hard because the truth of caste systems is bloody， and depressing。 I found I could only read a chapter or two at a time， and then I had to take a break。 The historical truth hurt so much。 The last third of the book is about the last few years， and where we are now。 Hopefully by being aware of caste divisions we can work and rise above them。 That's why I believe this is a 'must read' for everyone。 。。。more
Hector
，
This is the book。 The stories Wilkerson uses may be frustratingly sad and infuriatingly familiar， but the way in which she weaves them into a convincing case for caste is both haunting and brilliant。 While so many still struggle to come to terms with the reality of rampant racism and white supremacy， Wilkerson cuts even deeper by connecting the American experience to the caste systems of India and Nazi Germany。 She speaks truth and it’s hard to stomach the reality of this mirror。 Only we control This is the book。 The stories Wilkerson uses may be frustratingly sad and infuriatingly familiar， but the way in which she weaves them into a convincing case for caste is both haunting and brilliant。 While so many still struggle to come to terms with the reality of rampant racism and white supremacy， Wilkerson cuts even deeper by connecting the American experience to the caste systems of India and Nazi Germany。 She speaks truth and it’s hard to stomach the reality of this mirror。 Only we control what happens next。 。。。more
Roopa
，
If Isabel Wilkerson isn’t being considered for a Nobel Peace Prize then I’d really like that to change。 This book is a masterpiece that will shake — and hopefully shape — your thinking。 I hope this becomes required reading and so grateful it was for me。
Lisa Keuss
，
Isabel Wilkerson says that it is the moral duty of the dominant caste to develop "radical empathy" for those who "endure the indignities they themselves have been spared。" This goes beyond the empathy that can be done from a distance; imagining oneself in someone else's place。 It forces us to draw closer， "by putting in the work to educate oneself and to listen with a humble heart to understand another's experience from their perspective， not as we imagine we would feel。" Isabel Wilkerson says that it is the moral duty of the dominant caste to develop "radical empathy" for those who "endure the indignities they themselves have been spared。" This goes beyond the empathy that can be done from a distance; imagining oneself in someone else's place。 It forces us to draw closer， "by putting in the work to educate oneself and to listen with a humble heart to understand another's experience from their perspective， not as we imagine we would feel。" 。。。more
Maureen Grigsby
，
This one should get 6 stars！ What an incredible book。 After Isabel Wilkerson lays out her description of the caste system in the US and elsewhere， she asks us to imagine a world where we celebrate the talents of ALL people everywhere。 This book should be required reading for all of us。
Jennifer Dengler
，
Phenomenal Such thought and beautiful flow。 Opens ones eyes to various issues within caste and the overlooked harms。 Will read again。 This book was incredible
Dan
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When reading the book， I felt I was taking medicine， but it was medicine I think I needed - and I think just about any other white American needs。I did， towards the middle of the book， start to think that I was getting the same message over and over again in different words， with descriptions of different events。 I suppose， though， that this made the message stick better。I do agree， after reading this book， that we have a caste system here in the USA - and have had one for a very long time。
Karen Bean
，
Wow。 So much information backed with studies makes this book so so so impactful。 After hours of reading and cringing and horror and sorrow， I finished the book with a new perspective on what it will take for humans to truly have radical empathy towards one another。 Loved these lines near the end of the book: "It is not enough to be tolerant。 You tolerate mosquitoes in the summer， a rattle in an engine， the gray slush that collects at the crosswalk in winter。 You tolerate what you would rather no Wow。 So much information backed with studies makes this book so so so impactful。 After hours of reading and cringing and horror and sorrow， I finished the book with a new perspective on what it will take for humans to truly have radical empathy towards one another。 Loved these lines near the end of the book: "It is not enough to be tolerant。 You tolerate mosquitoes in the summer， a rattle in an engine， the gray slush that collects at the crosswalk in winter。 You tolerate what you would rather not have to deal with and wish would go away。 It is no honor to be tolerated。 Every spiritual tradition says love your neighbor as yourself， not tolerate them。"I am awakened and reminded of lots of atrocities humans have done to other humans and want to be someone who works toward love and acceptance！ Great book！ 。。。more
Natalia Devlin
，
This was a powerful read。 All the facts Wilkerson shares are very helpful in demonstrating how racism in America is a systemic issue， not a problem of "a few bad apples"。 Wilkerson's language is vivid and striking。 You won't be able to finish this book in one sitting。 It will bring up a lot of emotions。 This was a powerful read。 All the facts Wilkerson shares are very helpful in demonstrating how racism in America is a systemic issue， not a problem of "a few bad apples"。 Wilkerson's language is vivid and striking。 You won't be able to finish this book in one sitting。 It will bring up a lot of emotions。 。。。more
John Ison
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As I read this book I tried to relate the American society to my own in Canada。 Canada has an underclass and lots of racism， but it is a class structure， not a caste structure。 Membership of the underclass evolves over time （but for Indigenous peoples）。 This the same as the US except the black minority is always kept at the bottom。 Like others， I found caste an odd word to describe the US experience， which is less complex， less refined and newer than India but the essentials are the same， more l As I read this book I tried to relate the American society to my own in Canada。 Canada has an underclass and lots of racism， but it is a class structure， not a caste structure。 Membership of the underclass evolves over time （but for Indigenous peoples）。 This the same as the US except the black minority is always kept at the bottom。 Like others， I found caste an odd word to describe the US experience， which is less complex， less refined and newer than India but the essentials are the same， more like the European Jewish and Roma experience。 I did not learn new facts from the book but it offers a powerful narrative and raises many issues that whites should think long and hard about。 The US position in the world is declining in may ways and systemic racism is at the root of much of it。 。。。more
Ursie
，
Great readI read this book st the request of a friend。 Not only is it beautiful prose， but also easy to read。 It's actually digestible and didn't exhaust me， as a Black woman in challenging and tense racial times。 The book was a very smooth and fluid read。 Great readI read this book st the request of a friend。 Not only is it beautiful prose， but also easy to read。 It's actually digestible and didn't exhaust me， as a Black woman in challenging and tense racial times。 The book was a very smooth and fluid read。 。。。more
Teresa
，
Brilliant writing。 I have never read or studied caste scholarship before this work。 Recommended reading for every American。I always say short books are best， but in this case， not once did I feel that words were wasted， not once did Wilkerson’s writing not keep my attention。 I do wish I could have read/listened to this book over a shorter time span， instead of in parts over several weeks， but maybe I’ll move through it more quickly on my next time through。 Audiobook borrowed from the Dayton Metr Brilliant writing。 I have never read or studied caste scholarship before this work。 Recommended reading for every American。I always say short books are best， but in this case， not once did I feel that words were wasted， not once did Wilkerson’s writing not keep my attention。 I do wish I could have read/listened to this book over a shorter time span， instead of in parts over several weeks， but maybe I’ll move through it more quickly on my next time through。 Audiobook borrowed from the Dayton Metro Library via Libby， though this book is worth owning。 Narration was excellent。 。。。more
Carrie Samuels
，
This is a book that everyone needs to read！！！
David B Smith
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This is a searing portrait of the entrenched caste system in America， founded on a brutal slave structure and economy where “the bottom gear is torture” and where the victims are the ones always punished， not the enslavers。 Wilkinson’s book is written with pathos and a lifetime of research and she outlines how America stubbornly continues as the globe’s leading sponsor of caste: a model the Nazis admired but could not recreate。 After World War II， a repentant Germany examined its soul， paid repa This is a searing portrait of the entrenched caste system in America， founded on a brutal slave structure and economy where “the bottom gear is torture” and where the victims are the ones always punished， not the enslavers。 Wilkinson’s book is written with pathos and a lifetime of research and she outlines how America stubbornly continues as the globe’s leading sponsor of caste: a model the Nazis admired but could not recreate。 After World War II， a repentant Germany examined its soul， paid reparations， tore down statues and monuments to the criminals in charge， wrote textbooks for the children to learn from， and set up memorials to continually educate a new citizenry。 In America， on the other hand， millions of black citizens are forced to drive down Robert E。 Lee Street and attend elementary schools that still worship racism and where the Confederate flag still proudly waves。 Wilkerson dismantles one stereotype after another， reminding viewers that the New Deal and the Great Society were charity streams that flowed generously toward white America while the bottom caste was red-lined out of the game。 Virginia faced desegregation of its schools， and rather than comply， shut down all public education， reorganized a flock of private white-only schools， then illegally directed tax dollars to them， with African-American taxpayers forced to help foot the bill for the very barriers keeping their own kids out。As I read， my wife asked: “Okay， so what solutions are offered at the close？” Not many， frankly。 Education for our kids。 Good conversations where honest people begin to concede their biases。 （Wilkerson’s conversation with the HVAC guy。） The bottom line is: this is the way America is; it’s who we are。 The only way forward is for racist groups and resentful bigots who wistfully long for the good old days where “everyone knew their place” to lose at the ballot box over and over again。 。。。more
Lisa Apple
，
The author makes a very compelling， multi-layered argument that taught me a lot about our country's history and also its present-day。 Even I， not normally a nonfiction reader， was thoroughly engrossed by the writing and read for hours at a time。 While some of the main ideas of the book can be gotten through listening to interviews with the author， I found reading the text itself a worthy time investment and I feel like if I could ask everything in my life to read one nonfiction book this year， i The author makes a very compelling， multi-layered argument that taught me a lot about our country's history and also its present-day。 Even I， not normally a nonfiction reader， was thoroughly engrossed by the writing and read for hours at a time。 While some of the main ideas of the book can be gotten through listening to interviews with the author， I found reading the text itself a worthy time investment and I feel like if I could ask everything in my life to read one nonfiction book this year， it would probably be this one。 。。。more
Rick
，
Probably one of the most important books of the past decade。 Most Westerners would consider India's caste system to be abhorrent， yet Wilkerson deftly and irrefutably shows how America was built on a caste system that continues to this very day。 I can't recommend this enough。 I "read" the audiobook version。 Probably one of the most important books of the past decade。 Most Westerners would consider India's caste system to be abhorrent， yet Wilkerson deftly and irrefutably shows how America was built on a caste system that continues to this very day。 I can't recommend this enough。 I "read" the audiobook version。 。。。more
Raving Redcoat
，
A quite readable examination of the issues of race， and more importantly caste， in America。 Well worth reading， as it sheds light on one of the problems this country continues to wrestle with。
Polley Howell
，
An excellent， educational， and eye opening book。
shelina
，
Absolutely brilliant， scholarly work; engaging and illuminating。
Melanie
，
I highly recommend this book if you are wanting to learn more about the America Caste system also known as racism。 Wilkerson puts for historical information along with comparisons to other countries with a caste system such as India。 I have read other books on racism and race inequality and this one doesn't make you feel bad for being born white， and encourages you not just to emphasize， but the radically emphasize meaning don't just think how you would feel in a given scenario， but think and re I highly recommend this book if you are wanting to learn more about the America Caste system also known as racism。 Wilkerson puts for historical information along with comparisons to other countries with a caste system such as India。 I have read other books on racism and race inequality and this one doesn't make you feel bad for being born white， and encourages you not just to emphasize， but the radically emphasize meaning don't just think how you would feel in a given scenario， but think and respect how that person that has been treated unfairly by racism feels。 Allow them to feel how they feel and not how you think they should feel。 Wilkerson puts in history along with her personal experiences。 She provided me with new or maybe unknown to me information that will hopefully help me be a better person and more understanding。 。。。more
Liz
，
Profound
Laurel Matsudaira
，
Incredible book。 A must read for every white person in the U。S。
SDawson
，
Thoroughly historic read that is heavy in emotions due to the honesty of the authenticity to describe history in its purity。
Melanie Parker
，
What an eye-opening book。 Isabel Wilkerson is amazing at telling stories that go along perfectly with the points she is making and information she is sharing。 Some of the stories are personal， and are shocking。 After reading this， I look at society in a different way and think about my part in it even more。
Samantha Kretschmer
，
Enlightening and profoundly unsettling！ A book everyone should read！
Aaron
，
This is a disturbing book with a thoughtful look at American culture and exposes how messed up it is in many ways。 First， it juxtaposes the caste systemOf India and nazi Germany with the hidden caste system。 The Nazi learned how to create a caste system using America as a case study。 Also illustrates what structural racism is through the hidden caste system。 This book also helped me understand how it was possible for the 2016 election results to happen。 We have a lot to learn but if we learn fro This is a disturbing book with a thoughtful look at American culture and exposes how messed up it is in many ways。 First， it juxtaposes the caste systemOf India and nazi Germany with the hidden caste system。 The Nazi learned how to create a caste system using America as a case study。 Also illustrates what structural racism is through the hidden caste system。 This book also helped me understand how it was possible for the 2016 election results to happen。 We have a lot to learn but if we learn from our mistakes we can be better humans， and we must if we want to survive as a species。 I will put this as a must read non fiction for the year。 。。。more
Bryan
，
Read this for a work-related equity/diversity study group。 While I appreciated that it tried to put race into a historical context that is so often missing from present-day liberal understandings of race （especially in the past couple of years）， it misses the mark for its complete lack of analysis of class or capitalism。 It literally does not mention the word capitalism throughout the book， and its discussions of economic class are dismissive at best。 It also is quite long for its relatively sim Read this for a work-related equity/diversity study group。 While I appreciated that it tried to put race into a historical context that is so often missing from present-day liberal understandings of race （especially in the past couple of years）， it misses the mark for its complete lack of analysis of class or capitalism。 It literally does not mention the word capitalism throughout the book， and its discussions of economic class are dismissive at best。 It also is quite long for its relatively simplistic analysis。 I think this review addresses my critiques well: http://bostonreview。net/race/charisse。。。 。。。more
Mark
，