Here is a bold, updated history of economics, the dramatic story of how the great economic thinkers built today’s rigorous social science. Noted financial writer and economist Mark Skousen has revised this popular work to provide more on Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and Joseph Stiglitz and on “imperfect” markets and behavioral economics.
This comprehensive, yet accessible introduction to the major economic philosophers of the past 225 years begins with Adam Smith and continues to the present day, examining the contributions made by each individual to our understanding of the role of the economist, the science of economics, and economic theory. Included are highlights of little known facts about the economists' personal lives that affected their work.
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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)
"Lively and accurate, a sure bestseller. Skousen is an able, imaginative and energetic economist."
— Milton Friedman, Hoover Institution"I champion Skousen's new book to everyone. I keep it by my bedside and refer to it often. An absolutely ideal gift for college students."
— William F. Buckley, Jr., National Review"Mark Skousen has emerged as one of the clearest writers on all matters economic today, the next Milton Friedman."
— Michael Shermer, Scientific American“Both fascinating and infuriating…enaging, readable, colorful…credulous, disingenuous, and tendentious.”
— Foreign Affairs"Provocative, engaging, anything but dismal."
— N. Gregory Mankiw, Harvard University“One of the most original books ever published in economics."
— Richard Swedberg, University of Stockholm“The author’s unique view compares the development of economic thought to the construction of a building, designating Adam Smith’s 1776 Wealth of Nations as the foundation.”
— Booklist" 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. "
— Dan, 3/6/2013" 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. "
— Ross, 12/3/2012" 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. "
— Teri, 9/24/2012" Very friendly to the lay economist. "
— Jared, 9/11/2012" 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... "
— Nothing, 5/1/2012" Excellent book on economic History. I highly recommend it. "
— Gavin, 11/13/2011" 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. "
— Shawn, 6/13/2011" A great book which covers a wide range of economists and their ideas. "
— Adam, 10/14/2010" 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. "
— Ross, 1/18/2010" 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. "
— Dan, 2/11/2008
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.
William Hughes is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. A professor of political science at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, he received his doctorate in American politics from the University of California at Davis. He has done voice-over work for radio and film and is also an accomplished jazz guitarist.