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The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy
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The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy Hardback - 1999

by Nicholas Lemann

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Reader reviews for The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

From the publisher

A major work of social history that asks profound moral and political questions about what is right for American society.
This brilliant book shows us for the first time the ideas, the people, and the politics behind a fifty-year-old utopian social experiment that changed modern America.
The experiment-launched by James Bryant Conant, president of Harvard University, and Henry Chauncey, head of the brand-new Educational Testing Service (ETS)-was to use the then-young science of intelligence testing to assess and sort American students in order to create a new democratic elite that would lead postwar America to progress, strength, and prosperity. No writer before Nicholas Lemann has gained access to the archives of the all-powerful ETS, and none has understood the significance of this extraordinary drama. But now, in a remarkable synthesis of vibrant storytelling, vivid portraiture, and thematic analysis, he reveals this secret history.
Predictably, the utopian experiment did not turn out as planned. It created a new elite, but it generated conflict and tension, and American society's best-educated, most privileged people are now leaders with no followers.
Lemann shows that this American meritocracy is neither natural nor inevitable, and it does not apportion opportunity equally or fairly. He concludes with his own keen assessment of what the future may hold.

Details

  • Title The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy
  • Author Nicholas Lemann
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition 1st/1st
  • Pages 406
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Farrar Straus Giroux, New York
  • Publication date October 1, 1999
  • ISBN 9780374299842 / 0374299846
  • Weight 1.57 lbs (0.71 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.32 x 6.35 x 1.33 in (23.67 x 16.13 x 3.38 cm)
  • Category History - General History
  • Library of Congress subjects Elite (Social sciences) - United States, Educational tests and measurements - United
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 99032036
  • Dewey Decimal Code 371.260

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The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy
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The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

by Lemann, Nicholas

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The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

by Nicholas Lemann

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The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

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The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy
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The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

by Lemann, Nicholas

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9780374299842 / 0374299846
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The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy
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The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

by Lemann, Nicholas

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780374299842 / 0374299846
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Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Used - Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner’s name, short gifter’s inscription or light stamp.
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The Big Test : The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

The Big Test : The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

by Nicholas Lemann

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Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1999. Hardcover. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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The Big Test : The Secret History of the American Meritocracy
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The Big Test : The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

by Lemann, Nicholas

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780374299842 / 0374299846
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Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Used - Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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The Big Test : The Secret History of the American Meritocracy
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The Big Test : The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

by Lemann, Nicholas

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780374299842 / 0374299846
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A$12.90
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Description:
Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Item price
A$12.90
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The Big Test : The Secret History of the American Meritocracy
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Big Test : The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

by Lemann, Nicholas

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780374299842 / 0374299846
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$12.90
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Used - Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Item price
A$12.90
Free Delivery to USA