Balanced, well written, and sharply focused on the vexing question of who gets ahead and why. McNamee challenges anyone who has an opinion on inequality, jarring the contented, encouraging the discouraged, and inspiring the activists. Now in its 4th edition, The Meritocracy Myth remains a necessary and welcome addition to the syllabus of courses on social inequality.

David J. Maume, Professor of Sociology, University of Cincinnati

In the land of opportunity, hard work and playing by the rules pays off and merit is rewarded by success. The wide-awake sociology of McNamee shines the bright light of reality on the myth to show that birth counts more and education less, and while luck is important, no one can count on it, and those who play by the rules often benefit least.

Paul Durrenberger, Pennsylvania State University

I don’t think there is a competitor that accomplishes what this book does—summarize the sociology of inequality in a clear, interesting, and succinct-yet-thorough fashion. The Meritocracy Myth provides a coherent perspective on the world. Many textbooks are a long mishmash of theories and facts; this one has a compelling message and point of view.

Scott Harris, Saint Louis University

The Meritocracy Myth exposes the deceptive American rhetoric that hard work, talent, and virtue are all that is necessary to make it to the top. With inequalities at the core of sociology, The Meritocracy Myth makes a valuable contribution to the field by closely examining the contributing mechanisms that perpetuate class disparities. For sociology students, reading The Meritocracy Myth is a great application of important sociological concepts and theories to explain how all of our lives are influenced by socioeconomic class arrangements. The fourth edition is as relevant as ever in highlighting the importance of cultural myths that justify the exceedingly inequitable distribution of wealth in our modern society.”

Beth Davison, Appalachian State University

The Meritocracy Myth exposes the deceptive American rhetoric that hard work, talent, and virtue are all that is necessary to make it to the top. With inequalities at the core of sociology, The Meritocracy Myth makes a valuable contribution to the field by closely examining the contributing mechanisms that perpetuate class disparities. For sociology students, reading The Meritocracy Myth is a great application of important sociological concepts and theories to explain how all of our lives are influenced by socioeconomic class arrangements. The fourth edition is as relevant as ever in highlighting the importance of cultural myths that justify the exceedingly inequitable distribution of wealth in our modern society.

Beth Davison, Appalachian State University

The Meritocracy Myth is an accessible text and a captivating subject of study for students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, both undergraduates and graduates. The author provides an excellent introduction to the idea of the American Dream and its tenets as well as the notion of meritocracy as a characteristic and the dominant ideology of US society.

Wendy Brandon, Associate Professor of Education, Rollins College