The Right on Testosterone: The Science of Sex and Race in Modern Politics

The Right on Testosterone examines the intersections of science, politics, and social beliefs about testosterone through a cultural lens. Author Rebecca Jordan-Young investigates how testosterone research connects to modern political movements and popular discourse about gender and race. Jordan-Young traces testosterone's role in scientific studies and public discussions across several decades. Her analysis covers research methodologies, scientific claims, and the ways these findings become incorporated into political arguments and social policies. The book combines direct interviews, analysis of scientific literature, and examination of media coverage to create a comprehensive picture of testosterone's influence on policy and culture. Jordan-Young challenges numerous assumptions about the hormone's effects on human behavior and society. This work raises questions about the relationship between biological research and political ideologies. The text illuminates how scientific concepts can be adopted and interpreted to support various social and political positions.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Rebecca Jordan-Young's overall work: Readers value Jordan-Young's detailed analysis of scientific research and ability to make complex topics accessible. Academic readers appreciate her rigorous methodology in "Brain Storm," with multiple reviewers noting her careful examination of research flaws in sex difference studies. What readers liked: - Clear breakdown of scientific studies - Balance of technical detail and readability - Strong evidence-based arguments - Thorough research documentation What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style in some sections - Repetitive points in later chapters - Limited discussion of alternative theories - Some readers found conclusions too dismissive of biological factors Ratings: Goodreads: - Brain Storm: 4.1/5 (127 ratings) - Testosterone: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: - Brain Storm: 4.2/5 (31 reviews) - Testosterone: 4.5/5 (42 reviews) One academic reviewer noted: "Jordan-Young systematically dismantles poor methodology in sex difference research." A critical review stated: "Important topic but gets bogged down in academic language that limits accessibility."

Testosterone: An Unauthorized Biography by Katrina Karkazis Examines the scientific and cultural history of testosterone through case studies that challenge common myths about the hormone's effects on behavior and society.

Race After Technology by Ruha Benjamin Investigates how social biases become embedded in scientific research and technology, perpetuating racial inequalities through seemingly neutral systems.

Superior: The Return of Race Science by Angela Saini Traces the history of scientific racism and its modern resurgence through an examination of research, scientists, and institutions that continue to promote biological racial differences.

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez Documents how male-centered research and data collection in science, medicine, and technology creates systematic discrimination against women.

Fatal Invention: How Science, Politics, and Big Business Re-create Race in the Twenty-first Century by Dorothy Roberts Analyzes the intersection of science, commerce, and politics in the revival of biological concepts of race through genetics and medicine.

🔬 Author Rebecca Jordan-Young is Chair of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Barnard College and has spent over two decades studying the relationship between science and gender. 🧪 The book challenges common assumptions about testosterone's role in behavior, examining how scientific research on the hormone has been influenced by cultural beliefs about gender and race. 📚 Jordan-Young collaborated with sociomedical scientist Katrina Karkazis on this book, building on their previous work together exploring testosterone in sports regulations. 🔍 The research presented spans multiple disciplines, including endocrinology, neuroscience, social psychology, and the history of science, covering studies from the 1920s to present day. 💡 The book reveals how testosterone became linked to right-wing politics, exploring connections between hormone research and conservative movements in the United States and Europe.