David J. Armor is professor of public policy in the School of Public Policy at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. He is the author of Forced Justice: School Desegregation and the Law and Competition in Education. In 1999 Armor was appointed to the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Military Recruiting.
.. .this book addresses the nature of intelligence. Armor agrees that the variable that accounts for most of the variation in IQ scores is genetic inheritance, yet he comes to a different conclusion about the malleability of IQ. He argues that environmental factors, considered in aggregate, account for nearly as much of the variance as genetics...his is an optimistic approach to the IQ debate </p> <i>--Choice</i></p> The glaring gap in academic achievement is the most important source of racial inequality in American society today. David Armor's fascinating study provides a probing and persuasive analysis of the environmental and behavioral sources of that gap. This is a must-read for anyone concerned with the American future. </p> <i>--</i>Stephan Thernstrom, Winthrop Professor of History, Harvard University</p> Many people are dismayed at reports that half of IQ may be genetically determined. David Armor sees the glass as half full, or more: at least half of our IQ (perhaps more) can be improved by changes in the environment in which we raise children. <i>Maximizing Intelligence</i> provides invaluable insight into what is known about intelligence, as well as a practical guide to improving IQs. </p> <i>--</i>Francis Fukuyama, Dean of Faculty, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University</p> Americans tend to believe that their children's intelligence is either innate or based on what they learn in school. This volume speaks to the importance of another important set of influences: early family environments. Armor's research suggests that young people need to focus much more on how their own decisions about marriage and childbearing affect their children's future success. </p> <i>--</i>Isabel Sawhill, The Brookings Institution</p> Armor's detailed analysis, practical wisdom, and innovative solution-oriented thinking make Maximizing Intelligence a rich resource for educators, academics, policymakers, and parents of all backgrounds and income levels. </p> <i>--</i>Collette Caprara<i>, townhall.com</i></p>