A Little History of Economics
“
Starting in ancient times, A Little History of Economics tells of the great economic thinkers alongside the historical events that shaped them. Written for everyone, even complete beginners, the book demystifies economics, a subject that’s usually laden with baffling jargon.
Here economics comes to life as a dramatic story of debate and struggle between people who so often disagreed about how to solve the urgent problems of their times. The book ends in the present day in the middle of our own version of this struggle as we try to decide what to do about poverty, inequality and financial crisis.
Praise for A Little History of Economics
A deft, highly readable history of economics, full of humanity. You'll learn a lot - I did.’ —TIM HARFORD, author of The Undercover Economist
‘Those who refuse to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Economics can help guide policy in a sensible direction; but the misuse of economics has also left individuals, companies, and countries in ruin. To understand what economics has got right―and to avoid repeating its mistakes—read this book.’ —SIMON JOHNSON, Professor at MIT and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics
‘This book is punchy and fun, and yet thorough in explaining what economists have contributed to our understanding of the world.’ —ROBERT SHILLER, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics
‘Economic theories count among the principal ideas that defined the modern world, yet the origins of the market forces that govern our lives can all too often seem distant and opaque. Enter Niall Kishtainy, who in A Little History of Economics has condensed 2000 years of thought down to 250 highly readable pages. . . . A whistle-stop introduction to the great works and thinkers of each age, this is a clear and accessible primer for anyone with even the most rudimentary knowledge of the history of ideas.’ —LAURA GARMESON, Financial Times
‘Many people wish they knew more about economic ideas―but not enough, apparently, to endure the discomfort they imagine that reading about them would entail. Niall Kishtainy’s A Little History of Economics solves their problem: its brief, charming vignettes read effortlessly, yet faithfully capture the deep insights that have so profoundly transformed how we think about our world.’ —ROBERT H. FRANK, author of The Economic Naturalist
'It may leave some people cold, but economic history doesn’t need to be dull. This book aptly demonstrates why: it takes in big historical events, from the invention of money to the Great Depression, mixes in world-famous figures, and produces a sprightly, fast-paced account that’s not afraid to tackle the big questions.’ —History Revealed
‘An intellectual treasure trove for anyone interested in history, big ideas, and the role that economic thinking has played in both for more than 2,000 years.’ —CHARLES WHEELAN, author of Naked Economics
‘This engaging book provides a nontechnical introduction to economic concepts... A pleasurable and easy way to become familiar with important economic ideas.’ —RICHARD N. COOPER, Foreign Affairs