This bold history of economics tells the dramatic story of how the great economic thinkers built a rigorous social science without peer. Unlike other economics histories, Skousen’s book provides a running plot with a singular heroic figure, Adam Smith, at the center of the discipline. Skousen unites the great thinkers by ranking them for or against Adam Smith and his “system of natural liberty.” He shows how Karl Marx, Thorstein Veblen, John Maynard Keynes, and even laissez-faire disciples Robert Malthus and David Ricardo detracted from Adam Smith’s classical model of democratic capitalism, while Alfred Marshall, Irving Fisher, Ludwig von Mises, and Milton Friedman, among others, remodeled and improved upon Smithian economics. Highlights include humorous anecdotes and exciting new revelations about the lives of the great economists.
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"A surprisingly interesting work, though at times a bit indulgent about the oddities and personalities of the various economists (almost sensational that way). A solid overview for the non-specialists. Skousen is credible and interesting." — Gideon (4 out of 5 stars)
"A surprisingly interesting work, though at times a bit indulgent about the oddities and personalities of the various economists (almost sensational that way). A solid overview for the non-specialists. Skousen is credible and interesting."
“With a supreme, lively blend of economics and sociology of economics, Skousen has magnificently managed to put flesh, blood, and DNA on the skeleton of economics in this survey of great economic thinkers…His new work is must reading for economists who want to acquire professional depth and richness. Summing up: essential.”
“A reference bible...What an absolutely ideal gift for college students.”
“Examines the contributions made by each thinker to the role of economist, the science of economics, and economic theory overall.”
“A story rarely told…It’s unputdownable!”
“One of the most original books ever published in economics.”
“Provocative, engaging, anything but dismal!”
“Irreverent, passionate, entertaining, sometimes mischievous, like the author himself!”
" This book is not so much about economic theory as it is about the people/places/events surrounding the people who made the theory (as the title accurately implies). The book did what it set out to do, but i felt like it was missing something... "
" A great book which covers a wide range of economists and their ideas. "
" Very friendly to the lay economist. "
" I really enjoyed how Mark Skousen presented mini documentaries of the people who contributed to the economic sciences. I believe to understanding history will revile the reality of the present and future. "
" Very good overview of how we got to where we are now in our understanding of how the economy works in the developed world. Plus interesting insights into the nature of the economists themselves. "
" Well written, but it turned out to be a topic that I'm not as interested in as I had expected. More of a history and biography book than an economics book. "
" Awesome read, I learned a lot from this book, and enjoyed it much more then 'Economics in One Lesson', though I may need to reread that book before trying another. "
" Excellent book on economic History. I highly recommend it. "
JoAnn Skousen is the associate editor of Forecasts & Strategies. She is the coauthor of a number of books on investing, including the bestseller High Finance on a Low Budget. The former editor of Money Letter for Women, she currently teaches English at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry.
John Lescault, a native of Massachusetts, is a graduate of the Catholic University of America. He lives in Washington, DC, where he works in theater.
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