REVIEW ESSAYS The Complexities of Blurred Color Lines

Social scientists are loath to make predic-tions. They are even less likely—and in some cases constitutionally unable—to involve themselves in the practical implica-tions and interpretations of their research. These orientations are unfortunate. People outside of the ivory tower are usually less interested in our descriptions and analyses of the social world than with how they can use our work to inform their actions and (possibly even) make the world a better place. Fortunately, Richard Alba is a social scientist who understands this. Blurring the Color Line is a book conceived and written specifically to help all Americans anticipat