It's interesting that in reading this review the first thing one is struck by is that Sowell is guilty of the very thing he's railing against.  Setting himself up as a individual intellectual with "ideas" to tell others how things should work.

I'm sure readers of this post may argue that I'm doing the same thing and they would be correct.  Therein is Sowell's fatal flaw, because anyone with an idea can be labeled an "intellectual" and be subject to the criticism that he levels.  It is noteworthy that apparently, in his view, the only "intellectuals" worth criticizing are liberals, but that's just his bias showing I suspect.

"That the Corvair was as safe as any other car on the road has not cut into Ralph Nader’s speaking fees, nor has the failure of hundreds of millions of people to starve to death diminished Paul Ehrlich’s access to grant money."

What is disappointing in this statement is the noticeable lack of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Bill O'Reilly's name, since apparently it's fine to make millions on the absurdities they discuss every day.

One of the more telling quotes relates to corporate executives:

For example, Sowell notes that intellectuals often complain that they do not understand why corporate executives are paid such high salaries, “as if there is any inherent reason why third parties should be expected to understand, or why their understanding and acquiescence should be necessary, in order for those who are directly involved in hiring and paying corporate executives to proceed on the basis of their own knowledge and experience, in a matter in which they have a stake and intellectuals do not.”

Wow!  The arrogance of this statement is truly unbelievable when one considers that he wants to chastise anyone for questioning why CEO's get the salaries they do, while at the same time taking taxpayer dollars to salvage corporations that they've run into the ground.  Judging from the tone of that response, I was anticipating I'd hear how CEO's run corporations by "divine right".

"Yet actors and singers seem to be making it almost every day now. The likes of Clooney, Sheryl Crow, Rosie O’Donnell, and many others never seem to tire of giving us the benefit of their ignorance."

Perhaps we could add economists to that list.

Sowell excoriates intellectuals for believing that their superior knowledge in one area can be generalized to other areas...

To paraphrase, "Economist, heal thyself"

NOTE:  For those that want to read some Sowell's thoughts directly I would refer you to his archive web site:
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell1.asp

For specific writings on "Intellectuals and Society":
http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell010510.php3
http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell010610.php3