In "The Son Also Rises," Gregory Clark embarks on an ambitious journey through the annals of history and the intricacies of social science to challenge our most cherished beliefs about social mobility. With a groundbreaking methodology that tracks family names across centuries and continents, Clark presents a compelling argument that the echelons of society are not as fluid as we may like to think. From the noble lineages of Qing Dynasty China to the industrious households of modern Sweden, Clark meticulously demonstrates that the social ladder has remained surprisingly stable, with movement up or down the rungs of success far less common than widely assumed. This provocative exploration not only questions the effectiveness of policies aimed at fostering greater social equality but also exposes the powerful undercurrents of inherited advantage that flow beneath the surface of societies around the globe. Clark's analysis, rooted in economic history but spanning the social sciences, reveals an uncomfortable truth: the legacy of our ancestors casts a long shadow over our destinies, often predetermining our social status with an iron grip that is resistant to change. "The Son Also Rises" is not just a scholarly tour de force; it is a call to reexamine the foundations of our understanding of social mobility and to confront the stark realities of inherited privilege and the illusion of meritocracy.