Nicholson uses historical evidence to show that although people where certainly different colors, race did not exists as a concept prior to the 15th century. He then goes on to document how the idea of race was created in the interaction between newly forming Eurpean nation states and their colonies in Africa, Asia and America. He shows how race was used to solidify the "we" of a nation's citizans by creating a "they" to conquer and rule.

This dynamic occured regardless of color. Jews became a "race" in Germany, which lacked foreign colonies, the Hutus and Tutsies became separate "races" in what is now Rawanda due to divisions fostered by British colonial rulers.

This book offers both great hope and a stern warning. Race is not a natural phemomina, it was made as part of human society and it can be unmade. However, race and nation are bound tightly, and as long as long as there exists a social "we," whether based on race or nationality, there will be a "they" and race and racism will persist