This work investigates the scientific and social invalidity of the concept of race as a biological category. Ashley Montagu, a prominent anthropologist and social critic, utilizes biological, genetic, and sociological data to argue that race is a cultural construct rather than a biological reality. He posits that the persistence of racial myths causes significant harm to human development and social cohesion, advocating for a shift toward understanding human variation through a more accurate, non-racial framework.

Experts recognize this text as a foundational critique of biological determinism in the mid-20th century. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which remains a standard reference for those studying the intersection of anthropology and social justice.