Created Equal - by Ben Carson (Paperback)

About the Book

"External physical characteristics that are genetically encoded are things over which no individual has control. But rather than appreciating the gift of diversity, some have chosen to use it to drive wedges between groups of people. Some of these external characteristics are associated with the past moral failing of slavery. Though slavery in America formally ended in the 1860s, the vestiges of that evil institution are still with us today, and those vestiges often inflict guilt on some and facilitate feelings of victimhood in others. In Created Equal, Dr. Carson uses his own personal experiences as a member of a racial minority, along with the writings and experiences of others from multiple backgrounds and demographics, to analyze the current state of race relations in America. Instead of using race as an excuse to remake America into something completely antithetical to the Constitution, Dr. Carson suggests ways to enhance and bring great success to our nation and all multiethnic societies by magnifying America's incredible strengths instead of her historical weaknesses"--

Book Synopsis

In this New York Times bestselling book, author and conservative icon Dr. Ben Carson lays out a hopeful roadmap for how America can come together.

External physical characteristics that are genetically encoded are things over which no individual has control. But rather than appreciating the gift of diversity, some have chosen to use it to drive wedges between groups of people. Some of these external characteristics are associated with the past moral failing of slavery. Though slavery in America formally ended in the 1860s, the vestiges of that evil institution are still with us today, and those vestiges often inflict guilt on some and facilitate feelings of victimhood in others.

In Created Equal, Dr. Carson uses his own personal experiences as a member of a racial minority, along with the writings and experiences of others from multiple backgrounds and demographics, to analyze the current state of race relations in America. Instead of using race as an excuse to remake America into something completely antithetical to the Constitution, Dr. Carson suggests ways to enhance and bring great success to our nation and all multiethnic societies by magnifying America's incredible strengths instead of her historical weaknesses.

Review Quotes

"Created Equal is a book that speaks truth to power and is so very needed in today's divided society. Dr. Carson's sensible solutions and advice should be heeded by all Americans that wish to see our nation united once again."

--Dr. Alveda King, Founder SpeakForLife.org

"Ben and Candy Carson's Created Equal offers a well-reasoned, calm, and thoughtful contribution to the often-polarized discussions of race in America. After acknowledging the pain and complexity of America's racial past, the Carsons address the present and the future of race relations in America. Instead of despair and finger-pointing, readers are left with a cause for optimism about America's future."
--Dr. Carol M. Swain, Senior Distinguished Fellow for Constitutional Studies, Texas Public Policy Foundation

"Dr Carson's life story proves that through the promises of America and consistent hard work, we are not destined to be defined by our challenging circumstances, but rather can pursue happiness and exhaust our potential as was intended by our Creator."--John Rich, singer and songwriter

"Dr. Carson's Created Equal brilliantly reveals the destructiveness of false divisions in society through his moving conversation on education, faith, race, and values in America."--Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

"He's done it again! Ben Carson has written another great book that sheds light on an important subject. Not only have his gifted hands been used to bring healing to many, his service to America has also brought a perspective that has the potential of bringing unity to what has been too long a divide across our nation. Ben and Candy Carson have lived the American Dream and are bright examples of those who overcome. Their story challenges others to grasp the truth that God breathed life into the human race--created equal--in His likeness, for the purpose of glorifying Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who desires all people to come to salvation in Him through obedience, demonstrating love toward all."--Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan's Purse

"I have never read a book that better tells the story of race in America than Ben Carson's Created Equal. By weaving America's history with his own family story we all get a handbook on how to succeed in today's world. This book pulls no punches about this nation's imperfect past but also explains how wrongly interpreting the past will kill this country's future."--Brian Kilmeade, co-anchor, Fox & Friends

"In this hard-hitting, plain-speaking analysis, Dr. Ben Carson builds on the mighty foundation of culture-shaping lessons learned during his inspiring life and career. While readily acknowledging the cruel realities of slavery, Jim Crow, and the 'tyranny of low expectations, ' Dr. Carson emphatically rejects contemporary philosophies such as Critical Race Theory with its enervating narrative of oppression and victimhood, and instead embraces the 'can do' and 'compassionate action' approach that characterizes America at its best. He lifts up a soaring, optimism-filled vision of a free society animated by self reliance, academic achievement, and a fair system of public school funding. Especially timely for our deeply polarized era, Dr. Carson's eloquent voice and common sense perspective are more important than ever in pointing the way forward for all Americans of good will."--Judge Ken Starr, former president and chancellor of Baylor University

"The best way to describe Dr. Ben Carson is 'Gentle Ben, ' who was a lovable bear in a 60's TV series. Like the original 'Gentle Ben, ' Dr. Carson is kind, thoughtful, and protective of those around him. But he also knows how to fight. He's fought disease and illness in his celebrated medical career and he's fought Godless ideology that has masked itself as intellectualism. His breakthrough book, Created Equal, is a powerful pushback to the utterly baseless view that America is a racist and evil nation. I can think of no one who can more credibly respond to such nonsense than Dr. Carson, and he and his wife Candy do just that. This book will help you see America as it is, not a perfect nation, but one whose God-centered origins move us toward 'a more perfect union.'"--Mike Huckabee, television host and former governor of Arkansas

"This book is what the American people need: the true, unfiltered, and unabashed history of race in America and a blueprint for a real path forward. We have come a long way since the days of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his famous "I have a dream" speech and Dr. Ben Carson embodies that progress in every way imaginable. This book should be a must read for any American struggling to comprehend the left's anti-American racial agenda, and especially for those espousing it."--Bob Unanue, CEO, Goya Foods

"To the great number of Americans who care about the erosion of belief in American exceptionalism, add Created Equal to your reading list. Not because you will agree with every point Dr. Carson makes, but because his point of view--borne of a lived experience in realizing his American Dream via personal excellence--sparks the type of spirited discourse our country needs to hear right now. Dr. Carson uses his personal story to narrate our country's evolution with respect to race relations. It also reinforces the idea that individuals, regardless of the conditions of their birth, possess unlimited potential to become the best version of themselves if they do the work."--Cordell Carter, esq., executive director, Aspen Institute Socrates Program

"You can't cancel Dr. Carson. Get ready to be informed, enraged, and entertained. In Created Equal, Dr. Carson draws on his inspiring personal success to weigh in on the national debate around race and equity. It is just what the doctor ordered--a stronger, more unified country."--Juan Williams, Fox News political analyst, The Hill columnist, and best-selling author

About the Author

Dr. Ben Carson is a bestselling author, the former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, a 2016 Republican presidential candidate and the former director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins. He is also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the land, and he holds more than 70 honorary doctorate degrees.

Candy Carson is the New York Times best-selling coauthor of America the Beautiful, One Nation, One Vote and A More Perfect Union, all written with her husband. She is a graduate of Yale, has an MBA from Johns Hopkins, and is a cofounder of the Carson Scholars Fund. A talented musician, she has arranged and conducted for several groups. She and Dr. Carson now live in Florida and have three adult sons, three daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren.