Economic history Books

Book SynopsisA myth-busting explanation of inflation, the desperate gullibility of central bankers and finance ministers—and our abject failure to learn from historyTrade Review“My kind of inflation book. There is lots of great storytelling, which lightens the subject matter, and makes it accessible to non-experts.”—Moira O’Neill, Financial Times, “Best Summer Books of 2023: Money”“Historically informed and lucid.”—Martin Wolf, Financial Times, “Best Summer Books of 2023: Economics”“Not just a useful and well-written account of inflation for the layman, but a contribution to a debate that is still very much live. A brilliantly clear and concise new history.”—Juliet Samuel, Times (UK)“As with all the best economists, King’s views are grounded in an understanding of our historical experience.”—Roger Bootle, Daily Telegraph“Highly readable and informative. . . . King’s timely book should be essential reading for economic policymakers everywhere.”—Nick Macpherson, Financial Times“[An] excellent and readable new book about the re-emergence of inflation.”—Larry Elliot, The Guardian“A damning critique. . . . King writes lucidly, avoiding the jargon that makes economics impenetrable to the lay reader.”—Edward Chancellor, Times Literary Supplement“[A] lively polemic. . . . King’s view is that getting inflation back down to 2 percent will involve breaking more eggs than the authorities are prepared to acknowledge.”—Howard Davies, Literary Review“A powerful combination of history, current affairs and economic analysis.”—Mohamed A. El-Erian, on Twitter“Equal parts history lesson, policy primer and cri de coeur for index-linked pocket money, We Need to Talk About Inflation makes its subject as engaging as it is urgent—highly recommended for aspiring economists, and actual economists in search of historical perspective.”—Tom Orlik, chief economist for Bloomberg Economics, on Twitter“King makes his case with verve, in the process delineating the pernicious effects of inflation and underscoring the absurdity of thinking it could never reappear in advanced economies.”—Max Harris, Finance & Development“This is a fun book to read and with an important underlying message—central banks are under watch everywhere. How they emerge from this inflation crisis will determine both their reputation worldwide and how they evolve from here.”—Vicky Pryce, Society of Professional Economists“If you have a relative or friend who has kept asking what all this ‘inflation stuff’ is about, consider giving them a copy of this very readable book.” —Michael Reddell, Central Banking “Most of those who have to deal with inflation are too young to remember when it was last a serious issue. This book teaches them what they need to know. King’s lessons command our attention.”—Lawrence H. Summers, former US Treasury Secretary“Everything you wanted to know about inflation but were afraid to ask. This book is timely, well-researched and very well-written.”—Mervyn King, former governor of the Bank of England“Reading Stephen King over the years has often given me advance notice of the next big economic story. Maybe you don’t think inflation is back for good. That is your right. But you’d be advised to read this book first.”—Stephanie Flanders, head of Economics and Government at Bloomberg

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Book Synopsis**THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER** The most recognisable economist on the planet, Yanis Varoufakis, puts forth his case to reform an EU that currently fails it weakest citizens. In this startling account of Europe’s economic rise and catastrophic fall, Varoufakis pinpoints the flaws in the European Union’s design – a design thought up after the Second World War, and one responsible for Europe’s fragmentation and resurgence of racist extremism. When the financial crisis struck in 2008, the political elite’s response ensured it would be the weakest citizens of the weakest nations that paid the price for the bankers’ mistakes. Drawing on his personal experience of negotiations with the eurozone’s financiers, and offering concrete policies to reform Europe, the former finance minister of Greece shows how we concocted this mess and points our way out of it. And The Weak Suffer What They Must? highlights our history to tell us what we must do to save European capitalism and democracy from the abyss. With the future of Europe under intense scrutiny after Brexit, this is the must-read book to explain Europe's structural flaws and how to fix them. 'If you ever doubt what is at stake in Europe - read Varoufakis's account' GuardianTrade ReviewIf you ever doubt what is at stake in Europe, read Varoufakis’s account * Guardian *An outstanding economist and political analyst. His remarkable talents are fully on display in his recent study of Europe’s crisis, a most revealing and perceptive analysis of the development of the global economy in the past half century and their grim consequences now threatening Western societies -- Noam ChomskyAn absolutely splendid book… What Yanis really shows is that the European project had a democratic deficit from the origin and design… The Thucydides of our time -- Jeffrey SachsOne of my few heroes...his achievements are incredibly important…to save what is worth fighting for in Europe…Yanis tried to do the right thing – to remain within the EU and disturb from within. That is why he was such a threat…wonderfully written, complex, a book which is set to provoke our rage…to make us think, and that’s what we need today. As long as people like Yanis are around, there still is hope -- Slavoj ZizekOne of my few heroes...his achievements are incredibly important…to save what is worth fighting for in Europe…Yanis tried to do the right thing – to remain within the EU and disturb from within. That is why he was such a threat…wonderfully written, complex, a book which is set to provoke our rage…to make us think, and that’s what we need today. As long as people like Yanis are around, there still is hope -- Slavoj ZizekA very, very clever person, and in the basic argument about what’s been going on in Europe I think he’s right -- Martin WolfA devastating account -- Andrew MarrA scholar, writer, philosopher of clarity, insight, generosity and engaging prose, not to mention integrity and courage -- James GalbraithA brilliant economist * Bloomberg *Few finance ministers have such a talent for economics as Yanis Varoufakis -- Joseph Stiglitz, Winner of the Nobel Prize for EconomicsHighly readable. It is also important, outlining a perspective on global economics that influences policy thinking in broader circles than the radical left ... deeply instructive * Financial Times *The most interesting man in the world * Business Insider *The emerging rock star of Europe’s anti-austerity uprising * Telegraph *It is important to take note of the ideas that Varoufakis continues to espouse … the essence of [his] agenda was – and remains – largely correct -- Mohamed El-ErianA man of integrity and intellectual honesty … a superb monetary economist whose credentials outshine those who have bewitched European governmental elites… His economic logic was irrefutable -- Professor Michael BrennerHe writes with great panache ... and in a gripping style … One of the things that makes this book enjoyable is that Varoufakis makes much of the role of personalities * TLS *An account of how the forces of capital have prevailed over the common good ... visionary * The Times *A global celebrity * Economist *The biggest disaster for any of the BBC’s news and current affairs slate would be The Yanis Varoufakis Show on another network -- Mark Lawson * Guardian *While this British Conservative minister might not agree with every single position adopted by this Greek radical socialist, I cannot but admire and applaud his courage and passion on behalf of genuinely progressive causes -- Michael Gove * Sunday Times *The reason Varoufakis seems to have captured the imaginations of so many is that his words about the European crisis speak universal truths about democracy, capitalism and social policy * Guardian *Like all great story tellers, Varoufakis’ literary flair is not just a function of stylistic prowess. He gets right inside the fears, desires and external constraints of the key players in the complex history of the Eurozone … Reading And The Weak Suffer What They Must? is like reading a gripping thriller. It is a page turner because the plot itself is a relentless sequence of astonishing twists and turns driven by the cunning ingenuity and hubristic folly of its key protagonists … This book is not just illuminating. It is a call to moral awakening and to intelligent, determined and humane political action * Open Democracy *

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestseller from business journalist Christopher Leonard infiltrates one of America’s most mysterious institutions—the Federal Reserve—to show how its policies spearheaded by Chairman Jerome Powell over the past ten years have accelerated income inequality and put our country’s economic stability at risk.If you asked most people what forces led to today’s unprecedented income inequality and financial crashes, no one would say the Federal Reserve. For most of its history, the Fed has enjoyed the fawning adoration of the press. When the economy grew, it was credited to the Fed. When the economy imploded in 2008, the Fed got credit for rescuing us. But here, for the first time, is the inside story of how the Fed has reshaped the American economy for the worse. It all started on November 3, 2010, when the Fed began a radical intervention called quantitative easing. In just a few short years, the Fed more than quadrupled the money supply with one goal: to encourage banks and other investors to extend more risky debt. Leaders at the Fed knew that they were undertaking a bold experiment that would produce few real jobs, with long-term risks that were hard to measure. But the Fed proceeded anyway…and then found itself trapped. Once it printed all that money, there was no way to withdraw it from circulation. The Fed tried several times, only to see the market start to crash, at which point the Fed turned the money spigot back on. That’s what it did when COVID hit, printing 300 years’ worth of money in a few short months. Which brings us to now: Ten years on, the gap between the rich and poor has grown dramatically, inflation is raging, and the stock market is driven by boom, busts, and bailouts. Middle-class Americans seem stuck in a stage of permanent stagnation, with wage gains wiped out by high prices even as they remain buried under credit card debt, car loan debt, and student debt. Meanwhile, the “too big to fail” banks remain bigger and more powerful than ever while the richest Americans enjoy the gains of a hyper-charged financial system. The Lords of Easy Money “skillfully” (The Wall Street Journal) tells the “fascinating” (The New York Times) tale of how quantitative easing is imperiling the American economy through the story of the one man who tried to warn us. This is the first inside story of how we really got here—and why our economy rests on such unstable ground.Trade Review"A fascinating page-turner....There’s something undeniably gratifying about an elegantly crafted morality tale — and the business reporter Christopher Leonard has written a good one....A fascinating and propulsive story about the Federal Reserve — yes, you read that right. Leonard, in the tradition of Michael Lewis, has taken an arcane subject, rife with the risk of incomprehensibility (or boredom), and built a riveting narrative in which the stakes couldn’t be any clearer."– The New York Times "Skillfully tells the story of how, over several decades, a phalanx of economic sophisticates at the Fed have badly misunderstood the U.S. economy and often come up with policies that fail to produce the intended results." – The Wall Street Jornal "A timely addition—appearing just as inflation is making headlines....Leonard writes vividly about a technical subject....By focusing on a regional banker, Leonard offers a refreshingly non-Washington view....The author is surely correct that many Americans view the Fed as an unelected power aligned with elites, perhaps contributing to the disaffection that exploded on Jan. 6, 2021."– The Washington Post "It’s tough to turn the nuances of monetary policy into personality-driven narrative. But Christopher Leonard has succeeded in doing just that with The Lords of Easy Money....He turns [an] unassuming economist into the protagonist of a compelling tale about how the Federal Reserve changed the entire nature of the American economy... Weaving together narrative non-fiction with big ideas can be difficult. One of the best things about this book is that through Hoenig, Leonard, a business journalist, is able to tell the whole, complicated half-century story of how we got to where we are now in a way that isn’t at all wonky. There are real people here, making real decisions about the real world." – The Financial Times "[A] bracing and closely reported chronicle....Leonard’s book is an indispensable account in many respects—his coverage of the invisible bailout of the repo market alone stands as a bracing case study in how the false pieties of quantitative easing directly stoked ruinous asset bubbles. But Leonard is also that rarest of financial reporters who conscientiously tracks the real-life consequences of the Olympian deliberations undertaken by the paper economy’s gatekeepers....richly reported, accessible, biting, and long-overdue." – The New Republic "The book is a timely read to understand what could happen next through a thorough analysis of what this policy intervention looks like on the ground."– Enterprise: The State of the Nation "We get his point and it is a good one. This has been an era of loose money and the benefits have been very unevenly distributed... The office politics of the Fed are well captured by Leonard, as is the intimidating physical setting." – The New York Times "Leonard is skilled at explaining complicated financial maneuvering in a way normal people can understand... A good reminder of how uncertain a lot of monetary policy is." – The Washington Free Beacon“Leonard's wonderfully readable new book is about one of the most important, yet least covered and least understood, changes in American life. That's the effect of the dramatically increased role in financial markets played by the Federal Reserve. As Leonard convincingly argues, it might be nothing short of catastrophic.” — Bethany McLean, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Smartest Guys in the Room “An essential, engrossing and, above all, human tale featuring the central banker who dared to dissent from the party line and a factory worker whose sufferings are traceable to that dissident’s failure to carry his case. A monetary page-turner? Christopher Leonard has actually produced one.” — James Grant, founder and editor of Interest Rate Observer “Thanks to Leonard's gripping narrative, I now have a new monetary hero: former Fed governor Tom Hoenig. If, like me, you are desperate to understand how we got into this predicament, The Lords of Easy Money is required reading.” — William D. Cohan, New York Times bestselling author of House of Cards “Leonard’s richly reported and provocative exploration will have you reassessing whether the Fed built on a solid foundation or on air.”— Jesse Eisinger, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Chickenshit Club “An eye-opener. Well-researched and engaging, it brings to life consequential issues that influence the current and future wellbeing of most Americans... How this journey ends has important implications not just for the United States but also globally.” — Mohamed A. El-Erian, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Game in Town and president of Queens’ College, Cambridge University.

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Book SynopsisFrom legendary investor Ray Dalio, author of the international bestseller Principles, who has spent half a century studying global economies and markets, Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order examines history’s most turbulent economic and political periods to reveal why the times ahead will likely be radically different from those we’ve experienced in our lifetimes - but similar to those that have happened many times before. A few years ago, Ray Dalio noticed a confluence of political and economic conditions he hadn’t encountered before. They included huge debts and zero or near-zero interest rates that led to massive printing of money in the world’s three major reserve currencies; big political and social conflicts within countries, especially the US, due to the largest wealth, political and values disparities in more than 100 years; and the rising of a world power (China) to challenge the existing woTrade Review'Ray Dalio has a special talent for identifying the key questions of our time. In this sweeping new book, he marshals a variety of economic, social and political measures to trace the rise and decline of nations. It is a serious contribution - and an urgent warning to the West.' -- Henry Kissinger'An audacious, practical guide to the rise and fall of empires over the last five hundred years of history - with important lessons for the US and China today.' -- Graham Allison, author of Destined for War'Ray Dalio has a unique talent for making important and complex issues simple. I was riveted by his descriptions of the cause/effect relationships that drove the last five hundred years of history and how they provide practical guidance for dealing with what is happening now. This may well be the most important book of the year if not the decade. A must-read.' -- Arianna Huffington'When Ray Dalio talks, I listen. His new book is remarkable in its scope - shedding new light on the biggest reasons nations win in the global economic and political arenas, and applying it to China and the US today. After reading this book, you probably won’t see the world the same again.' -- Henry Paulson, former US Secretary of the Treasury'History is too important to leave to historians. Only Ray Dalio would have the brilliant audacity to attempt such a synthesis of the financial, economic and political history of the world. Agree or disagree, Dalio’s book is essential reading to understand our times.' -- Lawrence Summers, former US Secretary of the Treasury'How do we learn from history so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes that have led to the downfall of nations? By reading Ray’s book Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order. Ray shows us how history can provide a template to help guide how we might think about what comes next. And for those of us who might shudder at reading 576 pages, he provides an ingenious highlighted path that makes the book a shockingly easy, yet comprehensive, read.' -- Mark Cuban'Ray does an astounding job of giving us an inspiring and thought-provoking experience by looking at the rises and declines of empires, showing how economics, culture, military prowess, innovation, inequality and other elements interact. He leaves us with an improved perspective for thinking about very vexing issues such as the state of America versus China.' -- Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase

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Book SynopsisFINALIST FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2022 THE TIMES BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2021 ''A complex story, which Tooze tells with clarity and verve... The world is unlikely to be treated to a better account of the economics of the pandemic'' The Times From the author of Crashed comes a gripping short history of how Covid-19 ravaged the global economy, and where it leaves us now When the news first began to trickle out of China about a new virus in December 2019, risk-averse financial markets were alert to its potential for disruption. Yet they could never have predicted the total economic collapse that would follow in COVID-19''s wake, as stock markets fell faster and harder than at any time since 1929, currencies across the world plunged, investors panicked, and even gold was sold. In a matter of weeks, the world''s economy was brought to an abrupt halt by governments trying to contain a spiralling public health catastrophe. Flights were grounded; supply chains broken; industries from tourism to oil to hospitality collapsed overnight, leaving hundreds of millions of people unemployed. Central banks responded with unprecedented interventions, just to keep their economies on life-support. For the first time since the second world war, the entire global economic system contracted. This book tells the story of that shutdown. We do not yet know how this story ends, or what new world we will find on the other side. In this fast-paced, compelling and at times shocking analysis, Adam Tooze surveys the wreckage, and looks at where we might be headed next.''A seriously impressive book, both endlessly quotable and rigorously analytical'' Oliver Bullough, The GuardianTrade ReviewA complex story, which Tooze tells with clarity and verve... The world is unlikely to be treated to a better account of the economics of the pandemic. * The Times *Shutdown is a seriously impressive book, both endlessly quotable and rigorously analytical. Tooze synthesises a huge volume of information to argue that we must prepare for a new wave of crises or risk being sunk by them. Hopefully, governments everywhere will heed his warning. -- Oliver Bullough * The Guardian *Mr Tooze displays a remarkable ability to master the detail ... This is truly a picture of the global impact of the crisis; it covers the disruption in the financial markets, as well as the ins and outs of government policy. * The Economist *Fascinating, informative and wise. * Times Literary Supplement *An admirable work of synthesis and original analysis from the pre-eminent diagnostician of our age of discontents. * New Statesman *What sets [Shutdown] apart is Tooze's ability to keep his eye on the big picture - and the long view ... There will be plenty more books to come on the global economy of 2020. Few will be as timely, as wide-ranging or as clear as Shutdown. -- Duncan Weldon * Prospect *[A] brilliant, bracing account of the Covid pandemic and its protracted political aftermath ... Nuanced and wide-ranging. Tooze has the impressive ability, as a writer, to contextualise historical events as they unfold. -- Jamie Maxwell * The Herald *To read Shutdown feels like sitting alongside the great professor while he feverishly collates an array of data and anecdotes, attempts to chronicle what is going on, his head fizzing with ideas about what it might all mean and where it might be leading ... a fine use of one's time. -- Bill Emmott * Financial Times *Of all the instant histories spawned by the pandemic, this is the closest we'll get to a thriller ... it's a story that bears rereading ... a survival guide for the next man-made cataclysm that Adam Tooze warns will surely come soon. -- Patrick Maguire * The Times *A comprehensive history of an unprecedented year ... Readers will find this deeply informed parsing of the pandemic to be illuminating and thought-provoking. * Publishers Weekly *Tooze examines the unprecedented decision of governments around the world to shutter their economies in the face of pandemic ... As the pandemic hopefully continues to fade, other crises remain. This book is a valuable forecast of future problems. * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisThe Long Twentieth Century traces the relationship between capital accumulation and state formation over a 700-year period. Arrighi argues that capitalism has unfolded as a succession of "long centuries," each of which produced a new world power that secured control over an expanding world-economic space. Examining the changing fortunes of Florentine, Venetian, Genoese, Dutch, English and finally American capitalism, Arrighi concludes with an examination of the forces that have shaped and are now poised to undermine America's world dominance. A masterpiece of historical sociology, The Long Twentieth Century rivals in scope and ambition contemporary classics by Perry Anderson, Charles Tilly and Michael Mann.Trade ReviewA vivid, fact-filled expose of the cyclical monetary forces that surge through human society. * Observer Review *The Long Twentieth Century has the grandeur of a sprawling epic and the schematic grace of a Richard Neutra blueprint ... It is the single most useful text on offer for anyone who wants to narrate the story of world capitalism-from its nascent form on the rim of the Mediterranean to the current reach of the United States' empire, and beyond. * Los Angeles Review of Books *Made no concrete prediction, but nevertheless interpreted the rising power of Wall Street since the 1970s as a symptom of imminent US decline, followed perhaps by an era of Chinese global leadership. -- William Davies * New Statesman *This book is one of the most comprehensive presentations concerning the history of capitalism from early modern times up to the present. -- Joseph Vogl * Shepherd.com *

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Book SynopsisWhy did the 1917 American Red Cross Mission to Russia include more financiers than medical doctors? Rather than caring for the victims of war and revolution, its members seemed more intent on negotiating contracts with the Kerensky government, and subsequently the Bolshevik regime. In a courageous investigation, Antony Sutton establishes tangible historical links between US capitalists and Russian communists. Drawing on State Department files, personal papers of key Wall Street figures, biographies and conventional histories, Sutton reveals: the role of Morgan banking executives in funneling illegal Bolshevik gold into the US; the co-option of the American Red Cross by powerful Wall Street forces; the intervention by Wall Street sources to free the Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky, whose aim was to topple the Russian government; the deals made by major corporations to capture the huge Russian market a decade and a half before the US recognized the Soviet regime; and, the secret sponsoring of Communism by leading businessmen, who publicly championed free enterprise. "Wall Street and the Bolshevik Revolution" traces the foundations of Western funding of the Soviet Union. Dispassionately, and with overwhelming documentation, the author details a crucial phase in the establishment of Communist Russia. This classic study - first published in 1974 and part of a key trilogy - is reproduced here in its original form. (The other volumes in the series include "Wall Street and the Rise of Hitler" and a study of Franklin D. Roosevelt's "1933 Presidential election in the United States").Trade Review'Sutton comes to conclusions that are uncomfortable for many businessmen and economists. For this reason his work tends to be either dismissed out of hand as 'extreme' or, more often, simply ignored.' - Richard Pipes, Baird Professor Emeritus of History, Harvard University (quoted from Survival Is Not Enough: Soviet Realities and America's Future)Table of ContentsPreface Chapter I: The Actors on the Revolutionary Stage Chapter II: Trotsky Leaves New York to Complete the Revolution Woodrow Wilson and a Passport for Trotsky Canadian Government Documents on Trotsky's Release Canadian Military Intelligence Views Trotsky Trotsky's Intentions and Objectives Chapter III: Lenin and German Assistance for the Bolshevik Revolution The Sisson Documents The Tug-of-War in Washington Chapter IV: Wall Street and the World Revolution American Bankers and Tsarist Loans Olof Aschberg in New York, 1916 Olof Aschberg in the Bolshevik Revolution Nya Banken and Guaranty Trust Join Ruskombank Guaranty Trust and German Espionage in the United States, 1914-1917 The Guaranty Trust-Minotto-Caillaux Threads Chapter V: The American Red Cross Mission in Russia - 1917 American Red Cross Mission to Russia - 1917 American Red Cross Mission to Rumania Thompson in Kerensky's Russia Thompson Gives the Bolsheviks $1 Million Socialist Mining Promoter Raymond Robins The International Red Cross and Revolution Chapter VI: Consolidation and Export of the Revolution A Consultation with Lloyd George Thompson's Intentions and Objectives Thompson Returns to the United States The Unofficial Ambassadors: Robins, Lockhart, and Sadoul Exporting the Revolution: Jacob H. Rubin Exporting the Revolution: Robert Minor Chapter VII: The Bolsheviks Return to New York A Raid on the Soviet Bureau in New York Corporate Allies for the Soviet Bureau European Bankers Aid the Bolsheviks Chapter VIII: 120 Broadway, New York City American International Corporation The Influence of American International on the Revolution The Federal Reserve Bank of New York American-Russian Industrial Syndicate Inc. John Reed: Establishment Revolutionary John Reed and the Metropolitan Magazine Chapter IX: Guaranty Trust Goes to Russia Wall Street Comes to the Aid of Professor Lomonossoff The Stage Is Set for Commercial Exploitation of Russia Germany and the United States Struggle for Russian Business Soviet Gold and American Banks Max May of Guaranty Trust Becomes Director of Ruskombank Chapter X: J.P. Morgan Gives a Little Help to the Other Side United Americans Formed to Fight Communism United Americans Reveals "Startling Disclosures" on Reds Conclusions Concerning United Americans Morgan and Rockefeller Aid Kolchak Chapter XI: The Alliance of Bankers and Revolution The Evidence Presented: A Synopsis The Explanation for the Unholy Alliance The Marburg Plan Appendix I: Directors of Major Banks, Firms, and Institutions Mentioned in This Book (as in 1917-1918) Appendix II: The Jewish-Conspiracy Theory of the Bolshevik Revolution Appendix III: Selected Documents from Government Files of the United States and Great Britain Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTomas Sedlacek has shaken the study of economics as few ever have. Named one of the Young Guns and one of the five hot minds in economics by the Yale Economic Review, he serves on the National Economic Council in Prague, where his provocative writing has achieved bestseller status. How has he done it? By arguing a simple, almost heretical proposition: economics is ultimately about good and evil.In The Economics of Good and Evil, Sedlacek radically rethinks his field, challenging our assumptions about the world. Economics is touted as a science, a value-free mathematical inquiry, he writes, but it''s actually a cultural phenomenon, a product of our civilization. It began within philosophy--Adam Smith himself not only wrote The Wealth of Nations, but also The Theory of Moral Sentiments--and economics, as Sedlacek shows, is woven out of history, myth, religion, and ethics. Even the most sophisticated mathematical model, Sedlacek writes, is, de facto, a story, a parable, our effort to (ratTrade Review"Sedlacek takes mainstream economics as his clay, digging both his arms in up to the elbows in an attempt to explain the beliefs and ethical values underlying modern economics." - The New York Times "There has long been a profound moral drive in Czech culture, seeking an ever larger view of the human, and trying to break through conceptual barriers to do so. In this sinewy and marvelous voyage of discovery, Tomas Sedlacek calls us all to think more imaginatively, more fully, and more concretely about economics than we have done for many generations. Many thinkers, including not a few economists, will be stimulated to new explorations by this book." -Michael Novak, author of The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism "Economics of Good and Evil is an enchanting tour de force, offering the general public an unusual, erudite, and riveting view of the world. Scientists and scholars can choose how to read this book: either condemn it for its lack of a rigidly and traditionally scientific approach, or accept it as an invigorating elixir providing inspiration and vision for further study. I take it as the latter and I am certain the public will too." - Jan Svejnar, Professor of Business, Economics and Public Policy, University of Michigan "A widely admired economist who sits on the National Economic Council in Prague radically rethinks his field, challenging assumptions about the business world in this work, a bestseller in the Czech Republic."-Publishers Weekly "Tomas Sedlacek proposes no less than a 'humanomics,' a view of our fate in this world of scarcity that takes account of human stories and philosophies. Economists have crippled themselves by their lack of scholarly breadth, and their 'scientific' disdain for human words. Sedlacek, who ranges from the epic of Gilgamesh to the movie The Matrix, cannot be accused of lack of breadth. What is most impressive, though, is his depth, drilling down into the soul of economics." -Deirdre McCloskey, author of Bourgeois Virtues: Ethics for an Age of Commerce and The Cult of Statistical SignificanceTable of Contentsoreword by Vaclav Havel ; Acknowledgments and Thanks ; Introduction ; PART I: Ancient Economics ; Chapter 1: The Epic of Gilgamesh: On effectiveness, Immortality and the Economics of Friendship ; Chapter 2: The Old Testament: Earthliness and Goodness ; Chapter 3: Ancient Greece ; Chapter 4: Christianity: Spirituality in the Material World ; Chapter 5: Descartes the Mechanic ; Chapter 6: Bernard Mandeville's Beehive of Vice ; Chapter 7: Adam Smith, Blacksmith of Economics ; PART II: Blasphemous Thoughts ; Chapter 8: Need for Greed - The History of Want ; Chapter 9: Progress and Sabbath Economics ; Chapter 10: The Axis of Good and Evil and the Bibles of Economics ; Chapter 11: The History of the Invisible Hand of the Market and Homo Oeconomicus ; Chapter 12: The History of Animal Spirits - the Dream Never Sleeps ; Chapter 13: MetaMathematics ; Chapter 14: Masters of Truth: Science, Myths and Faith ; Conclusion: Where the Wild Things Are ; Bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisThis Element provides an overview of pre-modern and ancient economies of the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It analyzes the regions densely occupied semisedentary villages and its domestic and institutional economies, specialization, distribution, economic development, and future directions are reviewed.Table of Contents1. Introduction and Historical Background; 2. Domestic Economy; 3. Institutional Economy; 4. Specialization; 5. Distribution; 6. Economic Development; 7. Future Directions.

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Book SynopsisA sweeping history of the full range of human labor Few authors are able to write cogently in both the scientific and the economic spheres. Even fewer possess the intellectual scope needed to address science and economics at a macro as well as a micro level. But Paul Cockshott, using the dual lenses of Marxist economics and technological advance, has managed to pull off a stunningly acute critical perspective of human history, from pre-agricultural societies to the present. In How the World Works, Cockshott connects scientific, economic, and societal strands to produce a sweeping and detailed work of historical analysis. This book will astound readers of all backgrounds and ages; it will also will engage scholars of history, science, and economics for years to come.

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Book SynopsisThe British economy altered radically between 1934 and 1947. Some of the most dramatic changes were in Wales as its struggling private-sector-led economy was supplanted by one dominated by the state. Initial changes were barely noticeable as pre-war rearmament had little impact on its economy and labour market yet wartime demands for munitions and raw materials prompted the state to govern an all-encompassing mobilisation that upended its relations with business and eliminated unemployment. New factories employed many thousands of people, agriculture was modernised and metal manufacturing thrived, although coal mining remained mired in crisis. As the war ended, lessons learnt during the conflict helped guide the government as it reconverted the economy to peacetime while retaining a dominant role. This book is the first to fully set out and explore these linkages in Wales between government planning, workplaces and their employees.

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Book SynopsisFranklin D. Roosevelt is frequently described as one of the greatest presidents in American history, remembered for his leadership during the Great Depression and Second World War. Antony Sutton challenges this received wisdom, presenting a controversial but convincing analysis. Based on an extensive study of original documents, he concludes that: * FDR was an elitist who influenced public policy in order to benefit special interests, including his own. * FDR and his Wall Street colleagues were 'corporate socialists', who believed in making society work for their own benefit. * FDR believed in business but not free market economics. Sutton describes the genesis of 'corporate socialism' - acquiring monopolies by means of political influence - which he characterises as 'making society work for the few'. He traces the historical links of the Delano and Roosevelt families to Wall Street, as well as FDR's own political networks developed during his early career as a financial speculator and bond dealer. The New Deal almost destroyed free enterprise in America, but didn't adversely affect FDR's circle of old friends ensconced in select financial institutions and federal regulatory agencies. Together with their corporate allies, this elite group profited from the decrees and programmes generated by their old pal in the White House, whilst thousands of small businesses suffered and millions were unemployed. Wall Street and FDR is much more than a fascinating historical and political study. Many contemporary parallels can be drawn to Sutton's powerful presentation given the recent banking crises and worldwide governments' bolstering of private institutions via the public purse. This classic study - first published in 1975 as the conclusion of a key trilogy - is reproduced here in its original form. (The other volumes in the series are Wall Street and the Rise of Hitler and Wall Street and the Bolshevik Revolution.)Trade Review'Sutton comes to conclusions that are uncomfortable for many businessmen and economists. For this reason his work tends to be either dismissed out of hand as 'extreme' or, more often, simply ignored.' - Richard Pipes, Baird Professor Emeritus of History, Harvard University (quoted from Survival Is Not Enough: Soviet Realities and America's Future)Table of ContentsPart I Roosevelts and Delanos The Wall Street lineage of the Roosevelt and Delano families Politics in the Bonding Business FDR as vice president of the Fidelity & Deposit Company (1921-28) FDR: International Speculator Profiteering during the German hyperinflation of the 1920s FDR: Corporate Promoter FDR as a deal maker during the 1920s Part II The Genesis of Corporate Socialism Making society work for the few Prelude to the New Deal The Federal Reserve System and the War Industries Board Roosevelt, Hoover and the Trade Council An attempt to reform the construction industry Wall Street Buys The New Deal Bankers and industrialists back FDR instead of Hoover Part III FDR and The Corporate Socialists The Swope Plan and the N.R.A. FDR, Man on the White Horse The Smedley Butler Affair (1934) The Corporate Socialists at 120 Broadway, New York City Many of the leading players in the club FDR and the Corporate Socialists Willing accomplice of the rich and powerful Appendices Appendix A: The Swope Plan Blueprint for FDR's National Recovery Administration (NRA) Appendix B: Sponsors of Plans Presented for Economic Planning Selected Bibliography

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Book Synopsis‘This is essential reading for anybody interested in global history.’ —Professor Ugo Panizza, The Graduate Institute of Geneva, SwitzerlandThis illuminating book offers a compact survey and new interpretation of trends and policies in the US economy from the end of the nineteenth century to the initial period of the Trump administration. Valli maps three stages in this period of US economic history: first, the economic and demographic consequences of the frontier; second, the Fordist model of growth; and third, the attempt to build an economic empire through economic and financial globalization, military and political power and rapid technological progress.Examining pivotal moments from the Wall Street Crash and the World Wars to the recent Great Recession, Obamacare and Trump's electoral promises and first controversial decisions, this book is essential reading for all those interested in American economic power and its future. Trade Review“It could be a great read, given the enormous wealth of facts and the author’s broad knowledge of American contemporary history.” (Andreas Freytag, Journal of Economics, Vol. 131, 2020)Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Birth of a Great Economic Power.- Chapter 2: The Fordist Model of Economic Development.- Chapter 3: The Great Depression and the New Deal.- Chapter 4: Return and Crisis of the Fordist Model of Development.- Chapter 5: Capital Accumulation, Technological Progress and Knowledge.- Chapter 6: The Global Power of the United States.- Chapter 7: Main Weaknesses in the American Economic Power.- Chapter 8: Towards a Global Economic Empire.- Chapter 9: The Great Recession.- Chapter 10: Obanomics.- Chapter 11: The Economic Consequences of Donald Trump.- Chapter 12: America’s Decline?: Towards an Imperfect Multipolar World.

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Book Synopsis'A classic' - Simon Kuper, Financial Times'Brilliant' - James O'Brien, author of How to be RightThe five laws that confirm our worst fears: stupid people can and do rule the world.Since time immemorial, a powerful dark force has hindered the growth of human welfare and happiness.Trade ReviewA classic * Simon Kuper, Financial Times *Brilliant. * James O'Brien, author of How to be Right *A masterly book * Nassim Nicholas Taleb *This is a very funny book, but Carlo Cipolla's underlying insight really matters: there's a lot of stupidity about, including in society's highest circles – and the stupid wield a surprising amount of power, because the rest of us can never guess what idiotic thing they'll do next. We need to get wise to stupidity, and Cipolla's drily witty rules are a great place to start. * Oliver Burkeman *Cipolla’s subtle tongue-in-cheek humour made this book an underground classic in Italy. Today, under current worldwide political trends, it reads more like black humour. Keep in mind: reliable statistical data shows that 98% of the people seriously believe that they are far less stupid than the average. * Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis book snaps, crackles and pops ... Readers will emerge from this heady blend of economic, business, and political history with a sense of exhilaration that so much of the American experience could be described so vividly and insightfully -- Robert Gordon * Financial Times *Capitalism in America makes a strong case, with some wonderful insights into business history. Innovation, spread to the masses, is indeed the engine of capitalist economies. * The Economist *A superbly written book ... the tone is businesslike but culturally savvy - with sociological themes from "America's urban nightmare" of the seventies and eighties to "the rising share of working women" handled with sensitivity and skill ... Capitalism in America is an inspiring, rip-roaring read - like the astonishing story it describes. -- Liam Halligan * The Daily Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis''Forget almost everything you thought you knew about Britain ... You will not find a better informed history'' David Goodhart, Evening Standard''A striking new perspective on our past'' Piers Brendon, Literary ReviewFrom the acclaimed author of Britain''s War Machine and The Shock of the Old, a bold reassessment of Britain''s twentieth century.It is usual to see the United Kingdom as an island of continuity in an otherwise convulsed and unstable Europe; its political history a smooth sequence of administrations, from building a welfare state to coping with decline. Nobody would dream of writing the history of Germany, say, or the Soviet Union in this way. David Edgerton''s major new history breaks out of the confines of traditional British national history to redefine what it was to British, and to reveal an unfamiliar place, subject to huge disruptions. This was noTrade ReviewEvery so often a book comes out that the entire political class needs to read ... Edgerton is Britain's most exciting and arresting late-modern historian ... Thanks to this rich and compelling book, we now have a proper map and compass. -- Colin Kidd * New Statesman *A fierce and dazzling account of 20th-century Britain -- Christopher de Bellaigue * Guardian *An extraordinary revisionist study of modern Britain ... Edgerton's aim here is nothing short of a radical repositioning of our sense of ourselves as a nation. It's a startling book, and an unexpected thesis ... I'll be reading [it] over and over, and for years to come.' -- Brian Morton * The Herald *Forget almost everything you thought you knew about Britain in the 20th century ... You will not find a better informed history of this country in the last century. -- David Goodhart * Evening Standard *Stimulating and bracing ... He demonstrates that the story the British tell about themselves - and how it is taught in schools and discussed in the public sphere - is bogus. -- Iain Martin * The Times *Unsentimental and rigorous rewriting of British history. ... It looks beyond the froth of political debate, takes business seriously and analyses government as much from Whitehall and administration as Westminster and politics. -- A. W. Purdue * Times Higher Education *Beautifully written and can be read with pleasure by the general reader as well as the trained historian -- Vernon Bogdanor * Daily Telegraph *Original, opinionated, scholarly, complex and immensely stimulating ... this ambitious and provocative book achieves something remarkable. It provides a striking new perspective on our past, one that future historians may not accept but will be unable to ignore. -- Piers Brendon * Literary Review *A sweepingly, and ambitiously, revisionist account of 20th century British history ... full of striking lines ... and a very important challenge to much of the existing historiography. -- Duncan Weldon * Progressive Review *Timely jolt to a deluded 'Bullshit Britain'. David Edgerton fillets national delusion and historical amnesia ... of a country that knows so little of its own history. -- Chris Kissane * Irish Times *Edgerton is an extraordinary historian ... Written with bracing élan, Rise and Fall generates insights at every turn. Edgerton set out to rattle "the cage of clichés which imprison our historical and political imaginations", and succeeds magnificently. -- Nick Pearce * OpenDemocracy *... refreshing and immensely stimulating, and should be compulsory reading for anyone wanting to understand the reality of twentieth-century Britain. Lewis Namier, another historian known for his combative brand of scholarship, viewed iconoclasm as the judge of a great historian, that having produced an account of a period 'others should not be able to practise within its sphere in the terms of the preceding era'. Edgerton has certainly achieved this. -- Oliver Hadingham * History *

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Book Synopsis''Roderick Floud''s ground-breaking study of the history, money, places and personalities involved in British gardens over the past 350 years gives fascinating insight into why gardening is part of this country''s soul.'' Michael Heseltine, Deputy Prime Minister (1996-1997)''Thousands of books have been written about the history of British gardens but Roderick Floud, one of Britain''s most distinguished economic historians, asks new and important questions: how much did gardens cost to build and maintain, and where did the money come from? Superbly researched, it is full of information which will surprise both economists and gardeners. The book is fun as well as edifying: Floud shows us gardens grand and humble, and introduces us gardeners, plantsmen and technologies in wonderful varieties.'' Jane Humphries, Centennial Professor, London School of EconomicsAt least since the seventeenth century, most of the English population have been unable to stop making, improving and dreaming of gardens. Yet in all the thousands of books about them, this is the first to address seriously the question of how much gardens and gardening have cost, and to work out the place of gardens in the economic, as well as the horticultural, life of the nation. It is a new kind of gardening history.Beginning with the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, Roderick Floud describes the role of the monarchy and central and local government in creating gardens, as well as that of the (generally aristocratic or plutocratic) builders of the great gardens of Stuart, Georgian and Victorian England. He considers the designers of these gardens as both artists and businessmen - often earning enormous sums by modern standards, matched by the nurserymen and plant collectors who supplied their plants. He uncovers the lives and rewards of working gardeners, the domestic gardens that came with the growth of suburbs and the impact of gardening on technical developments from man-made lakes to central heating.AN ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH GARDEN shows the extraordinary commitment of money as well as time that the English have made to gardens and gardening over three and a half centuries. It reveals the connections of our gardens to the re-establishment of the English monarchy, the national debt, transport during the Industrial Revolution, the new industries of steam, glass and iron, and the built environment that is now all around us. It is a fresh perspective on the history of England and will open the eyes of gardeners - and garden visitors - to an unexpected dimension of what they do.Trade ReviewA fascinating history of gardening reveals our expensive passion for all things green... This is the first economic history of the English garden and frankly it's almost shocking that no one has looked into it until now... There is a mind-boggling amount of detail in this book ... Floud is a clear writer and excels at providing context and keeping the whole enterprise grounded. -- Ann Treneman * The Times *We have social histories of the English garden, art histories of the big ones and plant histories of what went where. We seldom have a financial history. Floud has set out to write one, applying his head for statistics to this under-cultivated field... an invaluable checklist ... Floud's bigger point is that gardening is and has been a big element of the total economy. ... Amazing. Floud casts his net wide. -- Robin Lane Fox * Financial Times *This is a very different kind of gardening book. It's not about design or horticultural techniques, but is a history, - the first of its kind, the author claims - of the economics of gardening, financial excess and all, from Charles II to today ... extraordinarily interesting. Floud impresses on us the sheer scale of what we're dealing with here... his book is full of fascinating detail - about everything from working-class gardens, kitchen gardens and nurseries, to the astonishing cost of some rare plants and their shrinking value over time. -- Andrew Holgate * Sunday Times *This is one of the most important books on garden history in the last half century and, for anyone serious about the subject, it is a Must Buy. -- Richard Mawrey * Historic Gardens Newsletter *a new kind of garden history ... Filled with fascinating and often surprising details -- P D Smith * Guardian *this is an immensely engaging book. The figures Floud presents, while abundant and obviously carefully uncovered, are so remarkable ... Floud's economic approach may seem an oblique means of interpreting [a landscape] but, trust me, it is surprisingly rewarding -- Robert Leigh-Pemberton * Daily Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis''This book flips your world upside down. Daniel Markovits argues that meritocracy isn''t a virtuous, efficient system that rewards the best and brightest. Instead it rewards middle-class families who can afford huge investments in their children''s education ... Frightening, eye-opening stuff'' The Times, Books of the Year Even in the midst of runaway economic inequality and dangerous social division, it remains an axiom of modern life that meritocracy reigns supreme and promises to open opportunity to all. The idea that reward should follow ability and effort is so entrenched in our psyche that, even as society divides itself at almost every turn, all sides can be heard repeating meritocratic notions. Meritocracy cuts to the heart of who we think we are.But what if, both up and down the social ladder, meritocracy is a sham? Today, meritocracy has become exactly what it was conceived to resist: a mechanism for the concentration and dynastic transmission of wealth and privilege across generations. Upward mobility has become a fantasy, and the embattled middle classes are now more likely to sink into the working poor than to rise into the professional elite. At the same time, meritocracy now ensnares even those who manage to claw their way to the top, requiring rich adults to work with crushing intensity, exploiting their expensive educations in order to extract a return. All this is not the result of deviations or retreats from meritocracy but rather stems directly from meritocracy''s successes.This is the radical argument that The Meritocracy Trap prosecutes with rare force, comprehensive research, and devastating persuasion. Daniel Markovits, a law professor trained in philosophy and economics, is better placed than most to puncture one of the dominant ideas of our age. Having spent his life at elite universities, he knows from the inside the corrosive system we are trapped within, as well as how we can take the first steps towards a world that might afford us both prosperity and dignity.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize 2013In 1412, Europe was a miserable backwater ravaged by plague, bad sanitation and incessant war, while the Orient was home to dazzling civilizations. Yet, somehow, the West came to dominate the Rest for most of the next half millennium.In this vital, brilliant book, Niall Ferguson reveals the six ''killer applications'' that the Rest lacked: competition, science, property rights, medicine, consumerism and the work ethic. And he asks: do we still have these winning tools? Or is this the end of Western ascendancy?''Brilliantly written, full of wit and virtuosity, stuffed with memorable lines and gorgeous bits of information. A great read'' The Times''A dazzling history of Western ideas ... epic'' Economist''Vivid and fascinating'' Daily Telegraph''Superb ... brings history alive ... dazzling'' Independent''This is sharp. It feels urgent. Ferguson ... twists his knife with great literary brio'' Andrew Marr, Financial TimesTrade ReviewFerguson is the most brilliant British historian of his generation ... he writes with splendid panache * The Times *One of the world's leading historians -- Hamish McRae * Independent *Civilization is another masterpiece ... a pulsing energy suffuses his account [and] fascinating facts burst like fireworks on every page -- Dominic Lawson * Sunday Times *This is sharp. It feels urgent. Ferguson, with a properly financially literate mind, twists his knife with great literary brio -- Andrew Marr * Financial Times *A dazzling history of Western ideas * Economist *

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Book SynopsisChina’s dismantling of the Mao-era commune system under Deng Xiaoping has been seen as a successful turn away from a misguided social experiment. Joshua Eisenman marshals previously inaccessible data to overturn this narrative, showing that the commune modernized agriculture, increased productivity, and laid the foundation for future rapid growth.Trade ReviewIn this thought-provoking volume, Eisenman offers a unique analysis of China's most important local institution in Mao's time: the people's commune. * Choice *Mr. Eisenman calls for readers to look anew at one of the darker periods of human history. It's a worthy intellectual exercise and a useful check on lazy approaches to China's modern history. * Wall Street Journal *Joshua Eisenman brings a refreshing perspective to the field because his book challenges the mainstream evaluation – both inside and outside China – of the era of Mao Zedong. -- Mobo Gao * China Information *The book is well researched, drawing on careful readings of government documents, newspapers and other materials from the period. -- Li Zhang * Journal of Asian Studies *Incredibly well-researched . . . Red China’s Green Revolution is a fascinating book. -- Fabio Lanza * Asia Maior *This book is unquestionably well-researched. -- Brian DeMare * Journal of Chinese History *Exceptionally written. -- John A. Donaldson * Journal of Chinese Political Science *Red China’s Green Revolution is a great book. It develops an innovative and contrarian interpretation of China’s rural communes, describing a technological revolution that occurred in China’s countryside in the 1970s. What makes this book truly outstanding is that Eisenman provides new perspectives on the importance of commune organization and incentive structures, as well as a reassessment of what Maoism meant in the lives of ordinary rural people. One after another, he drags into the sunshine topics that have been overshadowed in recent years by over-simplification and myth-making. The book concludes with a compelling new narrative of elite politics in the late 1970s that explains why the commune was ultimately abolished. -- Barry Naughton, Sokwanlok Chair of Chinese International Affairs, University of California, San DiegoThis is a truly important book. Eisenman shows how the People’s Communes created contemporary China, both through what they built and through what they destroyed. His work is of enormous significance for anyone trying to understand China’s road from revolution to reform. -- Odd Arne Westad, S. T. Lee Professor of U.S.-Asia Relations, Harvard UniversityRed China’s Green Revolution revolutionizes our understanding of the Maoist period and history's biggest experiment with collective agriculture. It challenges the widely held view that the commune was a failure that required privatization, and thus calls into question the very basis by which structural reforms have been legitimated and propagated to shape economic development, not just in China, but around the globe. Everyone who studies contemporary China—and, indeed, the entire neo-liberal project—must confront this book. -- Marc Blecher, James Monroe Professor of Politics and East Asian Studies, Oberlin CollegeRed China’s Green Revolution totally remakes our understanding of Chinese economic development on the eve of Deng Xiaoping’s reforms. This carefully documented study shows that rather than being a total failure on the verge of collapse, the commune system introduced under Mao actually resulted in considerable increases in agricultural productivity, which provided a positive foundation for Deng’s economic reforms. Joshua Eisenman opens the way for an important reconsideration of how political motivations, rather than economic concerns, were a main driver behind Deng’s reforms. -- Edward A. McCord, George Washington UniversityJoshua Eisenman questions the conventional wisdom that China’s communes, which were failing institutions in the Great Leap Forward of 1958, continued to be so. Eisenman offers hard data to refute the conventional, quasi-official story that before 1978 China’s rural economy was in dire straits, requiring neoliberal efficiencies to fix it. -- Lynn T. White, Princeton UniversityTable of ContentsList of Figures and IllustrationForeword, by Lynn T. White IIIPrologue: China’s Missing Institution1. Introduction: Assessing Commune Productivity Part I: Creating China’s Green Revolution2. Institutional Origins & Evolution 3. China’s Green Revolution Part II: Sources of Commune Productivity 4. Economics: Super-Optimal Investment 5. Politics: Maoism 6. Organization: Size and Structure 7. Burying the Commune 8. Conclusion Appendix A. Essential Official Agricultural Policy Statements on the Commune, 1958–1983Appendix B. National and Provincial Agricultural Production Data, 1949–1979Appendix C. Essential Official Agricultural Policy Statements on the Commune, 1958–1983NotesBibliography

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“A well-written and thought-provoking book.”—Economist"[Grave New World] sets out the argument strongly and clearly. . . . King correctly takes aim at the very idea that there is a single international community with an agreed set of aims and ideas, or even a united west when it comes to important issues such as foreign policy and projecting 'Western values' in the Middle East. . . . The truth is, as usual, somewhere between despair and ebullience."—Alan Beattie, Financial Times"Where it succeeds is the ease with which the reader can digest complex ideas. King is a clear, confident guide, weaving his way through history and joining the dots with panache. This story of our time has a cliff-hanger ending. Will it be a grave new world?"—Philip Aldrick, Times"No economist ever lost his reputation by erring on the side of pessimism. In this book, the already much-lauded, HSBC-based thinker, Stephen D. King, warns the West of a host of political-economic horrors on the horizon. . . . This is a book to open that debate, not close it."—Andrew Marr, Sunday Times"A well-argued and credibly pessimistic book."—Martin Wolf, Financial Times"The era of globalisation might be over, warns this gripping and clearly argued guide to the possible future."—Sunday Times, "Summer Reading 2017"“Well-argued and credibly pessimistic.”— Martin Wolf, Books of the Year 2017: Economics, Financial Times"A timely book, Grave New World is an excellent guide to this new global landscape. The combination of up to the minute economic analysis with a long look back at the lessons of economic history is written in an easy to follow and (mostly) jargon free manner."—Duncan Weldon, ProspectLONGLISTED FOR THE FT-MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017"In a powerful and well-written book that draws on important historical insights, Stephen King explains why globalization is not as secure as many would have led you to believe – especially in a world where old and new political forces, as well as disruptive technologies, are aggressively competing to re-shape relationships, institutions and ideas. This is a must-read book for those wondering about the future functioning of the world economy and what it could entail not just for the global economic order but, also, the well-being of individual countries."—Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Economic Adviser, Allianz SE and author of The Only Game in Town: Central Banks, Instability and Avoiding the Next Collapse"Prophetic, brilliant and disturbing. Required reading to prepare for the world of the (very near) future."—Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads: A New History of the World"King reminds us both that over millennia there have been previous waves of globalization and that, whilst they may have had different drivers, they fall as well as rise. And the falls have not been pretty. As a world , we have benefited greatly from the current wave over the last seven decades, and would if it continued. But that is far from inevitable and we must understand the longer history and the forces which are now putting this wave in serious question. King's analysis is fascinating and fun in its story telling and profoundly important in its substance."—Lord Nicholas Stern, President of the British Academy, I.G.Patel Professor of Economics and Government at the LSE, and cross-bench member of the House of Lords"What will replace the rules-based order of the past seven decades, as the era of globalization – and of prosperity and relative peace – shudders to an end? Stephen King's compelling and sobering exploration of recent trends makes it clear that the most likely outcomes of the crisis of globalization are deeply troubling. A world without a strong EU, WTO, NATO, and without American leadership, is going to be uncertain, dangerous and impoverished."—Diane Coyle, professor of economics, University of Manchester and author of GDP: A Brief But Affectionate History"Stephen King has written a very important book at a crucial time. His vital historical perspective provides a unique contribution to current debates and his arguments deserve broad consideration."—Lawrence H. Summers, former US Treasury Secretary

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Book SynopsisA social, economic, planning, and global historyTrade ReviewWelwyn Garden City was the product of a distinctively British approach to urban reform that laid the foundation for a human-scaled urbanism of international importance. This authoritative and accessible book embeds this pedigree within a remarkably wide-ranging social history that acknowledges the contributions and voices of the community that called it home. -- Rob Freestone

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Book SynopsisThe role salt played in the politics of Song China, as told through a unique contemporary narrative, translated into English for the first time

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Book SynopsisThe first book of its kind: a fascinating and entertaining examination of hedge funds todayShortlisted for the Financial Times/Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award''An enormously satisfying book: a gripping chronicle of the cutting edge of the financial markets and a fascinating perspective on what was going on in these shadowy institutions as the crash hit'' ObserverWealthy, powerful, and potentially dangerous, hedge-find managers have emerged as the stars of twenty-first century capitalism. Based on unprecedented access to the industry, More Money Than God provides the first authoritative history of hedge funds. This is the inside story of their origins in the 1960s and 1970s, their explosive battles with central banks in the 1980s and 1990s, and finally their role in the financial crisis of 2007-9.Hedge funds reward risk takers, so they tend to attract larger-than-life personalities. Jim Simons began life as a code-breaker anTrade Review‘The best account ever published of the economics, politics and adrenalin of these amazing firms. It shows why hedge funds dominate the world of finance and why the politicians who rail against them end up making them more powerful' * Anatole Kaletsky *‘A warts-and-all history of hedge funds...a splendid account of the ups and downs of an industry in which few of the twenty-something hedge-fund wannabes know their history. They, and meddling politicians, should read this book before they are condemned to repeat it' * Financial Times *An enormously satisfying book: a gripping chronicle of the cutting edge of the financial markets and a fascinating perspective on what was going on in these shadowy institutions as the crash hit * Observer *‘A superbly researched history of hedge-fund heroes stretching back to the 1950s, it is a fascinating tale of the contrarian and cerebral misfits who created successful, flexible businesses in an otherwise conventional financial world' * Economist *

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Book SynopsisJohan Norberg is a historian, lecturer and commentator. He is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington DC and his books have been translated into thirty languages. His books include the international bestseller Progress and Open, which was an Economist book of the year. Norberg regularly writes for publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Reason and HuffPost.

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Book Synopsis'If you feel you should understand how economists think but have no idea where to start, this book is the answer' Financial TimesWhy are all my clothes made in Asia?How do I get a pay-rise?And what even is money?Join Britain's most venerable financial institution for a rip-roaring crash-course on economics. From financial crises to Freddo prices, it will help you make sense of your job, your life and maybe your world._'A well-written treat . . . Using examples including the Bank of England canteen, The Simpsons and Beanie Babies, the authors encourage us all to understand, and even challenge, what economists do' Professor David Spiegelhalter, author of The Art of Statistics'A well-timed attempt to show the public what goes on inside the Bank of England - and familiarise them with some basic economic concepts . . . Punctuated with jaunty anecdotes and neat examples' Guardian'An entertaining and essential read at a time when understanding how our money, governments and banks interact has never felt more important' Laura Whateley, author of Money: A User's GuideTrade ReviewIf you feel you should understand how economists think but have no idea where to start, this book is the answer . . . The Bank should be congratulated on this effort at education. Buy this book for the inquiring person, young, old or in between. -- Martin Wolf, Summer Books * Financial Times *A well-written treat . . . Using examples including the Bank of England canteen, The Simpsons and Beanie Babies, the authors encourage us all to understand, and even challenge, what economists do. -- Professor David Spiegelhalter, author of THE ART OF STATISTICSAn enjoyable introduction to the so-called dismal science . . . Patel and Meaning have done an admirable job in simplifying and popularising some of the key elements of their subject. * The Times *A great place to start your economic journey. With the Bank of England as your guide, this accessible book shows how economics affects so many aspects of our daily lives. -- Dr Linda Yueh, author of THE GREAT ECONOMISTSA well-timed attempt to show the public what goes on inside the Bank of England - and familiarise them with some basic economic concepts . . . Punctuated with jaunty anecdotes and neat examples. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of Bloomberg's Best Books of 2016 One of Financial Times (FT.com) Best Economics Books of 2016 "Fascinating... brilliantly illuminated by scores of vivid examples, generously illustrated with a wealth of pictures, comprehensive in its geographical and temporal scope, and in my view almost entirely convincing."--Felix Martin, New York Times Book Review "In Money Changes Everything, Mr. Goetzmann draws on objects in Yale's extensive historical collections to tell his exciting story... His excitement with such artifacts is palpable."--Edward Chancellor, Wall Street Journal Tactile and visual ... Goetzmann's careful, brick-by-brick approach to financial history convincingly makes the case that finance is a change-maker of change-makers.--Financial Times Money Changes Everything--a history of finance over three millennia--provides a welcome antidote to the incessant banker-bashing we've witnessed in recent years. Without finance, after all, civilized life could scarcely exist."--Wall Street Journal "An accessible survey that does a fine job of reallocating past, present, and future."--Kirkus "Let me say simply that everyone who is curious about the history of finance will be richly rewarded by reading this book."--Linda Jubin, Investing.com "Money Changes Everything is ... A tactile and visual history. It is rich with illustrations, and often reported from ground level as Goetzmann travels to dusty European archives or to sites of historical financial significance... Goetzmann's careful, brick-by-brick approach to financial history convincingly makes the case that finance is a change-maker of change-makers."--Pietra Rivoli, Financial Times "In the fallout from the Great Recession, it's been commonplace to vilify those working in the financial-services industry. But Goetzmann argues that finance is a worthwhile endeavor, beyond just earning a ton of money: Its innovations have made the growth of human civilization possible."--Bourree Lam, TheAtlantic.com "Full of fascinating nuggets and extremely well researched."--Tim Harford, Undercover Economist "A remarkable work of synthesis and scholarship, the book affords a deep perspective to anyone trying to grapple with current problems in the role of finance and financial regulation in a civilized society."--Elie Canetti, Finance & Development "Its strength is the effort it makes to set money not only in its economic context, but also in its wider social and cultural setting."--Warwick Lightfoot, Financial World "[A] magnificent history of money and finance."--Minneapolis Star Tribune "Money Changes Everything is a treasure, unequalled in scope, unparalleled in depth of insight... This is a must-read for anyone in finance or who wants to find out what it's about."--Financial Post "A most pertinent and brave publication... This hefty, worthy book, really is a historical eye-opener."--David Marx Book Reviews "A panoramic historical sweep packed with interesting nuggets... All very enjoyable, and I'd say essential for anyone interested in financial history."--Enlightened Economist "Money Changes Everything is altogether a splendid book."--Mark Gamin, D&O Diary Blog "Rigorously researched and extremely enjoyable to read, Money Changes Everything enhances investors' understanding of contemporary markets."--Bruce Grantier, Financial Analysts Journal "William Goetzmann's Money Changes Everything is a thorough look at finance and world history, a 5,000-year journey that demonstrates the pivotal role of free market capitalism in building nations and serving human interests."--Washington Free Beacon "Goetzmann offers an extraordinarily wide-ranging and thorough investigation of financial activity from earliest times to the present day, and his enthusiasm for the subject and his lively writing style make the topic much more engaging than one might expect. The immense breadth of his research means that every reader, no matter how expert in history or finance, will learn much... The book has something for everyone."--Peter Acton, Australian Book Review "The book is replete with fascinating historical tales and figures, including an option payoff diagram developed by Henri Lefevre in the mid-1800s. Well-written and engaging, Goetzmann's book is a wonderful resource for those interested in learning more about the historical role of finance and its potential for addressing future challenges."--Choice "Goetzmann weaves his expertise in finance, architecture, archaeology, sinology, and art history into a wonderfully rich tapestry. Goetzmann's enthusiasm for his topic is infectious... Goetzmann has written a wonderfully erudite book in a way which is accessible to a wide audience. This book should be compulsory reading for all finance professionals and anyone with an interest in economics, finance, or history. If you want to understand how money changes everything, then Goeztmann's magnum opus is a must-read."--John D Turner, Economic History Review "This fascinating book rehabilitates finance by examining its 5,000 years of history."--Martin Wolf, Financial Times "A must-read for anyone interested in the history of finance."--MarketWatch

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Book SynopsisThe Irish potato famine of the 1840s, perhaps the most appalling event of the Victorian era, killed over a million people and drove as many more to emigrate to America. It may not have been the result of deliberate government policy, yet British ‘obtuseness, short-sightedness and ignorance’ - and stubborn commitment to laissez-faire ‘solutions’ - largely caused the disaster and prevented any serious efforts to relieve suffering. The continuing impact on Anglo-Irish relations was incalculable, the immediate human cost almost inconceivable. In this vivid and disturbing book Cecil Woodham-Smith provides the definitive account. ‘A moving and terrible book. It combines great literary power with great learning. It explains much in modern Ireland - and in modern America’ D.W. Brogan.

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Book SynopsisA magisterial history of the astounding rise - and unimaginable fall - of America''s most iconic corporationPerhaps no company reflects American ingenuity, innovation, and industrial fortunes as well as the iconic General Electric Company. Producing storied leaders and almost every product imaginable, GE built a cult of success that hid cracks in its foundation. In this masterful history, William D. Cohan, one of America''s most pre-eminent financial journalists, argues that GE''s legacy is both a paragon and a cautionary tale through which to understand twentieth-century America.Power Failure limns the eventful 130-year history of GE, bringing fresh analysis drawn from rare interviews with key figures of the company''s golden era, including Jack Welch himself. As Cohan recounts, Welch traded on a sterling legacy to make GE the most valuable and respected company in the world, while cloaking its vulnerabilities. What he handed to his successor Jeffrey Immelt was, Cohan argues, both an impossible standard and a more troubled reality.Tracing the company''s leaps and stumbles through the personalities that defined it, Power Failure offers a surprising retelling of the GE story, puncturing the myth we think we know for a fresh look at its legacy - and what it tells us about the state of the financial world.Trade ReviewThis hubris-to-nemesis story... must count as one of the greatest dramas in business history... William D Cohan captures that drama exceptionally well... a gripping read.... a tour de force -- John Plender * Financial Times *The rise and fall of GE is explained as the product of individual men and their mercurial decisions, yet its fate has a wider significance. It ought to be a warning: cost-cutting, outsourcing and financial speculation produce a warped model of value that is liable to collapse -- Hettie O'Brien * Guardian *A heavyweight cautionary tale about how the reputation of one-time corporate titans such as Jack Welch can be floored by over-reach and ambition -- Andrew Hill * Financial Times *General Electric was once the most important, powerful and influential company on earth - and this is the definitive story of how it got that way, and what happened next. William Cohan takes us inside the company's boardrooms and factories with a rollicking and fascinating tale of corporate brilliance, bitter infighting, business daring and monied folly that illuminates not just General Electric, but the world and economy it helped create -- Charles DuhiggWith the sweep and authority of an accomplished historian, the digging of a fearsome investigative reporter, and the storytelling skills of a novelist, Bill Cohan takes us from the 19th Century birth of GE, to its rise as America's most valued company in the 20th, and to its near death in the 21st. With incredible access to Jack Welch and the major actors in this drama, he paints a panoramic view of America and of capitalism, how it has changed and still must -- Ken AulettaCohan rides this wild tale like a racehorse to the bitter end. It's all here: the birth of this most American of inventive American companies and the triumphs, flaws and missteps to come. If at 130 years old, GE has indeed fallen, this masterful work remains -- Mark SealFor most of our lives GE was one of the familiar, trusted U.S. companies, and in the early 2000s still the biggest company on earth. In one generation this icon of the American corporate imperium has turned into an icon of American corporate failure. We're fortunate that the great business chronicler William Cohan has now applied his extraordinary reporting skills and lucid, knowing prose to tell this story in breathtaking detail from beginning to bitter end. Power Failure is fascinating and definitive -- Kurt AndersonThis epic tale of arguably the most dominant corporation in American history has it all: money, power, sex and larger-than-life characters, from Thomas Edison to "Teflon Jack" Welch and beyond. Cohan's fine pacing and narrative flair make for a page-turner that becomes a compelling story of American capitalism itself -- Jonathan AlterPower Failure by William Cohan is a tour de force of reporting, a deeply researched chronicle of the flawed personalities and dysfunctional company politics that led General Electric, once hailed as the great American corporate success, to self-destruct. The story reads like a tragedy -- Liaquat Ahamed

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Book SynopsisAn urgent and galvanizing argument for an Economic Bill of Rightsand its potential to confer true freedom on all Americans. Since the Founding, Americans have debated the true meaning of freedom. For some, freedom meant the provision of life's necessities, those basic conditions for the pursuit of happiness. For others, freedom meant the civil and political rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights and unfettered access to the marketplacenothing more. As Mark Paul explains, the latter interpretationthanks in large part to a particularly influential cadre of economistshas all but won out among policymakers, with dire repercussions for American society: rampant inequality, endemic poverty, and an economy built to benefit the few at the expense of the many. In this book, Paul shows how economic rightsrights to necessities like housing, employment, and health carehave been a part of the American conversation since the Revolutionary War and were a cornerstone of both the New Deal and thTrade Review"Paul’s book is a welcome contribution to thinking about policies that might help build a more just, freer society." * Jacobin *"Without a new foundation of economic rights for all, grounded in ecological safety and racial justice, democracy will not survive. Paul is one of the economists reimagining his field to meet this moment of compounding crises, and his new book brilliantly traces the history and irresistible logic behind the demand for an economic bill of rights. It’s a gift to the social movements who are fighting to put those rights back on the political agenda, and to anyone contemplating the deeper meaning of freedom." -- Naomi Klein"This is a fascinating book about a forgotten US intellectual tradition. Paul forcefully shows that there can be no real freedom without substantial and well-guaranteed economic rights for all: the right to education, the right to a job, and the right to housing. A must-read!" -- Thomas Piketty, L'ecole de hautes etudes en sciences sociales and Paris School of Economics"Paul tells the full story of the nation’s yet-to-be-fulfilled promise of a guarantee of a minimum standard of economic possibility and security for all Americans. As he shows, the principles of an Economic Bill of Rights date, at least, to the founding of the Republic. Not only does Paul give us the most comprehensive treatment of the history of the idea of a social floor for opportunity, but he provides a detailed plan appropriate for the twenty-first century. This is the book that throws down a forceful gauntlet on how, at last, to create an equitable America." -- William A. Darity Jr., Samuel DuBois Cook Distinguished Professor of Public Policy, Duke University"In highlighting how the notion of economic freedom was hijacked by the right, Paul has put his finger on the missing link in any progressive agenda that purports to work for all Americans. The book connects the various seemingly separate strands of political crisis into one coherent idea: we need to revive a robust vision for economic freedom that centers on racial justice. Building on the core impetus of Roosevelt's Economic Bill of Rights, Paul revives it for the twenty-first century with an expert's understanding of economic trends and gaps in recent policy. This important and thorough account of history and economics will be an excellent resource for policymakers, students, activists, and citizens interested in achieving the promise of democracy." -- Mehrsa Baradaran, University of California, Irvine School of Law "Amidst the wreckage of the failed neoliberal project to shrink the idea of freedom down to limited government, Paul advances an expanded notion of 'freedom to' rather than just 'freedom from.' His program of economic rights may just be the best hope for securing a society built on positive freedoms in a sustainable democratic order." -- Samuel Bowles, Santa Fe Institute and author, The Moral Economy."Paul is sharp and deeply knowledgeable about his field, and his comprehensive approach is admirable. . . . A reminder of the country’s lost ideal of economic freedom and the many actions that might turn that ideal into reality." * Kirkus *“Paul argues that leaders need to prioritize providing equitable economic rights for all Americans. The book defines economic rights as the freedom to have basic necessities such as housing, employment, and health care. . . . To actualize these programs, the book calls for changes within the Medicare system and the creation of federal job-guarantees. This book will be of interest to scholars and general readers alike.” * Library Journal *"Mark Paul has done a useful public service in etching out the goals of progressive economic policy." * Counterpunch *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I: American Freedom 1. States of America 2. Capitalism and Freedom 3. America’s Other Freedom Part II: Economic Rights 4. The Right to Work 5. The Right to Housing 6. The Right to an Education 7. The Right to Health Care 8. The Right to a Basic Income and Banking 9. The Right to a Healthy Environment Part III: A Budget for the People 10. How Do We Pay for It? Conclusion Acknowledgments Notes Index

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisA Times Best Business Book of 2018What can the ideas of history''s greatest economists tell us about the most important issues of our time?''The best place to start to learn about the very greatest economists of all time'' Professor Tyler Cowen, author of The Complacent Class and The Great StagnationSince the days of Adam Smith, economists have grappled with a series of familiar problems - but often their ideas are hard to digest, before we even try to apply them to today''s issues. Linda Yueh is renowned for her combination of erudition, as an accomplished economist herself, and accessibility, as a leading writer and broadcaster in this field; and in The Great Economists she explains the key thoughts of history''s greatest economists, how their lives and times affected their ideas, how our lives have been influenced by their work, and how they could help with the policy challenges that we face today. ITrade ReviewAre you looking to learn about the very greatest economists of all time? Linda Yueh's book is the best place to start, a modern-day version of Robert Heilbroner's classic The Worldly Philosophers. -- Tyler Cowen, the Holbert L. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University, and author of The Complacent Class and The Great StagnationEconomics students are not taught the history of economic thought. They, like others, can learn a lot from this book: some of the great economists of the past had insights that could have saved the subject from its recent embarrassments. -- Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Oxford UniversityNot only a great way to learn in an easily readable manner about some of the greatest economic influences of the past, but also a good way to test your own a priori assumptions about some of the big challenges of our time. -- Lord Jim O’Neill, former Chairman at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, former UK Treasury Minister, and author of The Growth MapA fascinating event for anyone interested in economics. For this is a book which, as the title suggests, champions the value of studying the leading economic thinkers of the past ... As an Oxford don and a professor at London Business School, Yueh undoubtedly knows her stuff; and as a former chief business correspondent for the BBC and economics editor at Bloomberg TV, she is a well-known and skilful communicator ... The achievements of modern, scientific economics are significant, and the reader who wants a slick and well-curated tour of its current policy recommendations will profit greatly from Yueh's enjoyable and up-to-date book. -- Felix Martin * New Statesman *An extremely engaging survey of the lifetimes and ideas of the great thinkers of economic history, woven together with fascinating and useful discussions of how their ideas still shape economic policy today. Yueh's book is reminiscent of Heilbroner's marvellous classic The Wordly Philosophers, but more focused on contemporary debates on inequality, trade and productivity. Although targeted at readers interested in economic issues, this book would also make an excellent supplementary reading for undergraduate courses in economics, politics and social studies. -- Kenneth Rogoff, Thomas D. Cabot Professor of Public Policy and Professor of Economics at Harvard University, author of The Curse of Cash and co-author of This Time is DifferentLinda Yueh has had the brilliant idea of, not just describing the theories of each great thinker, but linking each one to a particular problem of today ... I am sure Linda Yueh's original approach will deepen students' understanding of the Great Economists. * Lord Lamont, former Chancellor of the Exchequer *What would the great economists of the past make of today's problems? Linda Yueh takes on this ambitious task in this engaging book, introducing us to the work of each economist and conjecturing how they might have advised us. This book is a very readable introduction to the lives and thinking of the greats, and reminds us that policymakers continue to be, as Keynes wrote, "slaves of some defunct economist". -- Raghuram Rajan, Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and author of I Do What I Do and Fault LinesTo anyone with even a passing interest in the economic problems, large and small, affecting us today, What Would the Great Economists Do? comes at the right time: a highly accessible and acute guide to thinking and learning from the men and woman whose work can inform and ultimately aid us in understanding the great national and global crises we face. -- Nouriel Roubini, author of the New York Times bestselling Crisis Economics: A Crash Course in the Future of FinanceThis well-written book provides more than an engaging discussion of how the "Great Economists" changed the course of economic thinking and history. It links their insights to current economic challenges, assessing how their unique contributions can improve future wellbeing. It concludes by artfully bringing together the economists' individual insights to shed light on the backlash against globalization. Read it not only to learn about the world's great economists, but also to see how consequential thought innovations can be, and have been. -- Mohamed A. El-Erian, Chief Economic Adviser at Allianz, former CEO of PIMCOIs economics a science in which each new generation's discoveries build on those of the old? Or a humanistic study in which old ideas remain valid and relevant today? Linda Yueh's account of the thinking of the great economists demonstrates that both perspectives are true. -- Professor John KayA highly informative and entertaining introduction to the ideas of some of the great economists. -- Robert A. Cord, editor of The Palgrave Companion to Cambridge Economics, co-editor of Milton Friedman: Contributions to Economics and Public Policy, and author of Reinterpreting the Keynesian RevolutionYou can see her journalistic training in the way she makes connections between the lives, characters and thinking of her subjects -- John Lanchester * Sunday Times *Crisp pen portraits and introductions to complex ideas have been melded with an assessment of what a particular dead economist might have advised about a contemporary issue ... The portraits are entertainingly crafted and the details of family lives well deployed. -- Iain Martin * The Times *Would [Adam] Smith's view have changed in modern times? Probably yes. Linda Yueh in her brilliant new book, "The Great Economists: How Their Ideas Can Help Us Today", argues that due to rapid technological advancements since Smith's time, the tune of the musician, which he regarded as ephemeral, now holds tangible value. Also, since Smith believed in the power of the invisible hand of the markets, he would have derided any move towards introducing market distortions like the Trump tariffs to promote manufacturing. * India Times *I certainly wish that [The Great Economists] had been around when I started to study the subject. -- Dr Matthew Partridge * Money Week *The style is engaging and takes the readers through key elements of the economic challenges we currently face, with the support of data and international comparisons ... Readers will certainly enjoy learning about the economists, as many of them lived quite unconventional lives. -- Angela Gallo * Financial Times Adviser *As a broad and accessible overview of the lives and ideas of prominent economic thinkers, Yueh's book is a useful addition to the field. Its strongest sections make important connections between historical figures and modern decision-makers, such as the chapter detailing former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke's interest in Irving Fisher's debt-deflation hypothesis. -- Alasdair Hutchison * Reaction *Readable, informative, and thought-provoking, and deserves a place in all libraries -- David Tyckoson * Booklist *The book is lucidly written... It offers glimpses into the lives of these influential economists, often laced with interesting nuggets of information. -- Ishan Bakshi * Business Standard *An accessible and lively evaluation of the global financial crisis . . . [Yueh] has a way of simplifying the arcane and ferreting out good news - of which we need a lot. -- Mary Kaye Schilling * Newsweek *Awesome yet accessible...recommended! -- Tim HarfordAmazing new book . . . warmly recommend -- NPR Planet MoneyExcellent . . . what makes this book special is that it is simple to read and understand . . . extremely engaging and serves a grand five-star buffet -- Madan Sabnavis * Financial Express *Want to learn about great ideas in economics and the great economists without doing any algebra? Here is an engagingly written book for you by Linda Yueh. She is both a real economist and an experienced journalist, so she knows how and what to write * Richard Baldwin *A great book and Linda Yueh is well worth listening to -- Kevin Watkins, former head of the Overseas Development InstituteYueh's CV - Oxford economics fellow; former editor at Bloomberg TV; ex-advisor to the World Bank - could inspire an inferiority complex in almost anyone. Yet she has written a remarkably accessible primer that profiles 12 of history's greatest economists (from Adam Smith to Joan Robinson), and then asks what they can reveal about the world today. Perhaps its most important lesson is not to take financial advice from economists: many of Yueh's subjects lost fortunes * The Times, Best business books of 2018 *

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Book SynopsisThe Road to Serfdom remains one of the all-time classics of twentieth-century intellectual thought. For over half a century, it has inspired politicians and thinkers around the world, and has had a crucial impact on our political and cultural history. With trademark brilliance, Hayek argues convincingly that, while socialist ideals may be tempting, they cannot be accomplished except by means that few would approve of. Addressing economics, fascism, history, socialism and the Holocaust, Hayek unwraps the trappings of socialist ideology. He reveals to the world that little can result from such ideas except oppression and tyranny. Today, more than fifty years on, Hayek's warnings are just as valid as when The Road to Serfdom was first published.Trade Review'This book has become a true classic: essential reading for everyone who is seriously interested in politics in the broadest and least partisan sense.' - Milton Friedman'This book should be read by everybody. It is no use saying that there are a great many people who are not interested in politics; the political issue discussed by Dr Hayek concerns every single member of the community.' - The Listener'This book has become a true classic: essential reading for everyone who is seriously interested in politics in the broadest and least partisan sense.' - Milton Friedman'This book should be read by everybody. It is no use saying that there are a great many people who are not interested in politics; the political issue discussed by Dr Hayek concerns every single member of the community.' - The Listener

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Book SynopsisIn April 1956, a refitted oil tanker carried fifty-eight shipping containers from Newark to Houston. From that modest beginning, container shipping developed into a huge industry that made the boom in global trade possible. The Box tells the dramatic story of the container's creation, the decade of struggle before it was widely adopted, and the sweTrade ReviewWinner of the 2007 Anderson Medal, Society for Nautical Research Winner of the 2007 Bronze Medal in Finance/Investment/Economics, Independent Publisher Book Awards Shortlisted for the 2006 Financial Times/Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Honorable Mention for the 2006 John Lyman Book Award, Science and Technology category, North American Society for Ocean History One of Financial Times (FT.com) Best Business Books of 2013 (chosen by guest critic Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft) "One of the most significant, yet least noticed, economic developments of the last few decades [was] the transformation of international shipping... The idea of containerization was simple: to move trailer-size loads of goods seamlessly among trucks, trains and ships, without breaking bulk... Along the way, even the most foresighted people made mistakes and lost millions... [A] classic tale of trial and error, and of creative destruction."--Virginia Postrel, The New York Times [See full review http://bit.do/Box-NYT-Postrel] "Marc Levinson's concern is business history on a grand scale. He tells a moral tale. There are villains ... and there is one larger than life hero: Malcom McLean... Levinson has produced a fascinating exposition of the romance of the steel container. I'll never look at a truck in the same way again."--Howard Davies, The Times (UK) "Like much of today's international cargo, Marc Levinson's The Box arrives 'just in time.'... It is a tribute to the box itself that far-off places matter so much to us now: It has eased trade, sped up delivery, lowered prices and widened the offering of goods everywhere. Not bad for something so simple and self-contained."--Tim W. Ferguson, The Wall Street Journal "[A] smart, engaging book... Mr. Levinson makes a persuasive case that the container has been woefully underappreciated... [T]he story he tells is that of a classic disruptive technology: the world worked in one fashion before the container came onto the scene, and in a completely different fashion after it took hold."--Joe Nocera, The New York Times [See full review http://bit.do/Box-NYT-Nocera] "By artfully weaving together the nuts and bolts of what happened at which port with the grand sweep of economic history, Levinson has produced a marvelous read for anyone who cares about how the interconnected world economy came to be."--Neil Irwin, Washington Post "Mr Levinson... makes a strong case that it was McLean's thinking that led to modern-day containerisation. It altered the economics of shipping and with that the flow of world trade. Without the container, there would be no globalization."--The Economist [See full review http://bit.do/Box-Economist] "A fascinating new book... [I]t shows vividly how resistance to technological change caused shipping movements to migrate away from the Hudson river to other East Coast ports."--Management Today [See full review http://bit.do/Box-MT] "Marc Levinson's The Box ... illustrates clearly how great risks are taken by entrepreneurs when entrenched interests and government regulators conspire against them. Even after these opponents are dispatched, technological and economic uncertainty plague the entrepreneur just as much as the vaunted 'first-mover advantage' blesses him, perhaps more. The story of the shipping container is the story of the opponents of innovation."--Chris Berg, Institute of Public Affairs Review "International trade ... owes its exponential growth to something utterly ordinary and overlooked, says author Marc Levinson: the metal shipping container... The Box makes a strong argument... Levinson ... spins yarns of the men who fought to retain the old On the Waterfront ways and of those who made the box ubiquitous."--Michael Arndt, BusinessWeek [See full review http://bit.do/Box-BW-Arndt] "[An] enlightening new history... [The shipping container] was the real-world equivalent of the Internet revolution."--Justin Fox, Fortune [See full review http://bit.do/Box-Fortune-Fox] "Marc Levinson's The Box is ... broad-ranging and ... readable. It describes not just the amazing course of the container-ship phenomenon but the turmoil of human affairs in its wake."--Bob Simmons, The Seattle Times [See full review http://bit.do/Box-ST-Simmons] "Author and economist Marc Levinson recounts the little-known story of how the humble shipping container has revolutionized world commerce. He tells his tale using just the right blend of hard economic data and human interest... Mr. Levinson's elegant weave of transportation economics, innovation, and geography is economic history at its accessible best."--David K. Hurst, Strategy + Business [See full review http://bit.do/TheBox-Strategy-Hurst] "The Box is ... an engrossing read... The book is well-written, with detailed notes and an index. I found it absorbing and informative from the first page."--Graham Williams, Sydney Morning Herald "This well-researched and highly readable book about the ubiquitous containers that carry so much of the world's freight will no doubt surprise most readers with its description of the immensity of the impact this simple rectangular steel box has had on global and regional economics, employment, labor relations, and the environment... The Box makes for an excellent primer on innovation, risk taking, and strategic thinking. It's also a thoroughly good read."--Craig B. Grossgart, Taiwan Business Topics "The ubiquitous shipping container ... as Mark Levinson's multilayered study shows ... has transformed the global economy."--The Australian "Here's another item we see every day that had a revolutionary effect. The shipping container didn't just rearrange the shipping industry, or make winners of some ports (Seattle and Tacoma among them). It changed the dynamics and economics of where goods are made and shipped to."--Bill Virgin, Seattle Post-Intelligencer "Excellent."--J Bradford DeLong, The Edge Financial Daily "An engrossing read... The book is well written, with detailed notes and an index. I found it absorbing and informative from the first page."--Sydney Morning Herald "A fascinating history of the shipping container."--Richard N. Cooper, Foreign Affairs [See full review http://bit.do/TheBox-FE-Cooper] "For sheer originality ... [this book] by Marc Levinson, is hard to beat. The Box explains how the modern era of globalization was made possible, not by politicians agreeing to cut trade tariffs and quotas, but by the humble shipping container."--David Smith, The Sunday Times (London) "Ingenious analysis of the phenomenon of containerism."--Stefan Stern, Financial Times [See full review http://bit.do/TheBox-FT-Stern] "This is a smoothly written history of the ocean shipping container... Marc Levinson turns it into a fascinating economic history of the last 50 years that helps us to understand globalization and industrial growth in North America."--Harvey Schachter, Globe and Mail "This is an ingenious analysis of containerization--a process that, Levinson argues, in fact made globalization possible."--Business Voice "Using a blend of hard economic data and financial projections, combined with human interest, Levinson manages to provide insights into a revolution that changed transport forever and transformed world trade."--Leon Gettler, The Age [See full review http://bit.do/TheBox-Age-Gettler] "There is much to like about Marc Levinson's recent book, The Box... Levinson uses rich detail, a combination of archival and anecdotal data to build his story, and is constantly moving across levels of observation... And the story of the box is a very good read."--Administrative Science Quarterly "A lively and entertaining history of the shipping container... The Box does a fine job of demonstrating how exciting the container industry is, and how much economists stand to lose by ignoring it."--William Sjostrom, EH.Net [See full review http://bit.do/TheBox-EH-Sjostrom] "The Box is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in understanding the emergence of our contemporary 'globalized' world economy."--Pierre Desrochers, Independent Review [See full review http://bit.do/TheBox-IndReview-Desrochers] "[T]he insights the book provides make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in how international trade in goods has evolved over the last 50 years."--Meredith A. Crowley, World Trade Review "The Box reveals the subject to be interesting and powerful, shedding light on all kinds of issues, from the role of trade unions to the Vietnam War."--NUMAST Telegraph "A perfect illustration of how an idiosyncratic entrepreneur brings something new into the world, and a wonderful example of how business history can be made to sing."--David Warsh, Economic Principals BlogTable of ContentsPreface ix Acknowledgments to the Second Edition xvii Chapter 1 The World the Box Made 1 Chapter 2 Gridlock on the Docks 21 Chapter 3 The Trucker 47 Chapter 4 The System 72 Chapter 5 The Battle for New York's Port 102 Chapter 6 Union Disunion 135 Chapter 7 Setting the Standard 170 Chapter 8 Takeoff 202 Chapter 9 Vietnam 230 Chapter 10 Ports in a Storm 254 Chapter 11 Boom and Bust 285 Chapter 12 The Bigness Complex 310 Chapter 13 The Shippers' Revenge 329 Chapter 14 Just in Time 355 Chapter 15 Adding Value 375 Notes 391 Bibliography 465 Index 491

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Book SynopsisSheelah Kolhatkar is a former hedge fund analyst and staff writer at The New Yorker, where she writes about Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and politics, among other things. She has appeared as a speaker and commentator on business and economics issues at conferences and on broadcast outlets including CNBC, Bloomberg Television, Charlie Rose, PBS NewsHour, WNYC and NPR. Her writing has also appeared in Bloomberg Businessweek, New York, The Atlantic, The New York Times and other publications.Trade ReviewA prodigious feat of reporting * Malcolm Gladwell *Fast-paced and filled with twists, Black Edge has the grip of a thriller. It is also an essential exposé of our times—a work that reveals the deep rot in our financial system. Everyone should read this book. -- David Grann, New York Times bestselling author of THE LOST CITY OF ZA tour de force of groundbreaking reporting and brilliant storytelling, a revealing inside account of how the Feds track a high-profile target—and, just as important, an unsettling portrayal of how Wall Street works today -- Jeffrey Toobin, New York Times bestselling author of AMERICAN HEIRESSBlack Edge is a real-life thriller about the government’s attempt to get the legendary trader Steve Cohen on insider trading charges—and the lengths to which he goes to elude them. Using deep reporting and top-notch storytelling, Sheelah Kolhatkar is able to shed new light on one of the least known and most fascinating characters on Wall Street. -- Bethany McLean, co-author of THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOMBlack Edge is not just a work of major importance, it is also addictively readable—and horrifyingly compelling. Sheelah Kolhatkar pulls back the curtain on the cheating, corruption, and skulduggery that underlie large swaths of the hedge fund industry and some of Wall Street’s most fabled fortunes. This book is as hard to put down as it is to stomach. -- Jane Mayer, New York Times bestselling author of DARK MONEYIf you liked James B. Stewart’s Den of Thieves, Sheelah Kolhatkar’s thrilling Black Edge should be next on your reading list. * The Wall Street Journal *A richly reported, entertaining tale about the cat-and-mouse game between the government and Cohen. -- Andrew Ross Sorkin * The New York Times Book Review *A lot of people do not trust Wall Street. They regard it as a moneymaking machine for those who work there, which has little interest in practice in its stated aim of channelling capital into businesses and helping them to grow for the broader benefit of society. For such sceptics, Steven Cohen is Exhibit A. -- John Gapper * Financial Times *A modern version of Moby-Dick, with wiretaps rather than harpoons. -- Jennifer Senior * The New York Times *Excellent * The Economist *

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Book SynopsisA Must-Read for Any Investor Looking to Maximize Their Chances of Success Big Mistakes: The Best Investors and Their Worst Investments explores the ways in which the biggest names have failed, and reveals the lessons learned that shaped more successful strategies going forward. Investing can be a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and the investors detailed here show just how low it can go; stories from Warren Buffet, Bill Ackman, Chris Sacca, Jack Bogle, Mark Twain, John Maynard Keynes, and many more illustrate the simple but overlooked concept that investing is really hard, whether you''re managing a few thousand dollars or a few billion, failures and losses are part of the game. Much more than just anecdotal diversion, these stories set the basis for the book''s critical focus: learning from mistakes. These investors all recovered from their missteps, and moved forward armed with a wealth of knowledge than can only come from experience. Lessons learned through failure

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Book SynopsisAN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLERLONGLISTED FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEARA FINANCIAL TIMES BEST ECONOMICS BOOK OF THE YEAR AND THE ECONOMIST BOOK OF THE YEARFrom one of the world''s leading economists, a sweeping new history of the twentieth century - a century that left us vastly richer, yet still profoundly dissatisfied.Before 1870, most people lived in dire poverty, the benefits of the slow crawl of invention continually offset by a growing population. Then came a great shift: invention sprinted forward, doubling our technological capabilities each generation, and creatively destroying the economy again and again.Slouching Towards Utopia tells the story of the major economic and technological shifts of the 20th century in a bold and ambitious, grand narrative. In vivid and compelling detail, DeLong charts the unprecedented explosion of material wTrade ReviewBrad DeLong learnedly and grippingly tells the story of how all the economic growth since 1870 has created a global economy that today satisfies no one's ideas of fairness. The long journey toward economic justice and more equal rights and opportunities for all shall and will continue -- Thomas Piketty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 'Capital in the Twenty-First Century'This is a brilliant and important book. It offers an original and penetrating analysis of what its author calls "the long 20th century", the period of unprecedented economic advance that began roughly in 1870 and ended, he asserts, in 2010. Material abundance poured upon humanity. Previous generations would have thought such wealth to be a guarantee of utopia. Yet the age of material progress has ended not in a utopia, but in recrimination and discord. No book has explained the successes and failures of this extraordinary period with comparable insight -- Martin WolfThe period 1870-2010 - what DeLong calls the "long twentieth century" - saw the world break decisively free of its Malthusian chains, with levels of per capita economic growth without any parallel in human history. This wonderfully researched and written book explains the roots of this vertiginous ascent towards utopia, while also exposing the causes of the subsequent flat-lining in our economic fortunes and what action is now needed to ensure the long century is viewed by future historians as the historical rule, not the exception -- Andrew G. Haldane, Chief Executive of the RSA and former Chief Economist at the Bank of EnglandHistory provides the only data we have for charting a course forward in these turbulent times. I have not seen a more revealing and illuminating book about economics and what it means in a very long time. Slouching Towards Utopia should be required reading for anybody who cares about the future of the global system, and that should be everyone -- Lawrence H. Summers, Harvard UniversityWhat a joy to finally have Brad DeLong's masterful interpretation of twentieth-century economic history down on paper. Slouching Towards Utopia is engaging, important, and awe-inspiring in its breadth and creativity -- Christina Romer, University of California, BerkeleyAn intellectually exciting and entertaining gallop along the arc of twentieth century economic history. DeLong puts together the puzzle of the past to tell a story of remarkable achievements as well as setbacks. A great way to understand the forces that have shaped the world today -- Minouche Shafik, Director, London School of Economics and Political ScienceBrad DeLong manages brilliantly to combine detailed analysis of a huge sweep of global history with an accessible and engaging narrative. The result is a book full of well founded and penetrating insights that will appeal to anyone interested in the causes and consequences of modern economic growth -- Robert C Allen, Distinguished Professor of Economic History at New York University, Abu Dhabi, and a Senior Research Fellow of Nuffield College, OxfordImpressed . . . eloquent and clear . . . makes one sad for the utopian possibilities that might have been realized -- Emanuel Derman, author of 'My Life as a Quant' and 'The Volatility Smile'Like many people, I've been eagerly anticipating Brad Delong's Slouching Towards Utopia: An Economic History of the 20th Century, and it doesn't disappoint . . . it (is) an unmissable book . . . The strength of the book - as well as its immense scope and depth . . . is that it's a work of political economy, braiding the different strands of ideas, Hayek, Polanyi and Keynes . . . In addition, there are plenty of pleasing asides and details. Definitely one to read. -- Diane CoyleA magisterial history . . . asks the right questions and teaches us a lot of crucial history along the way -- Paul KrugmanA masterfully sweeping account . . . a joy to read. Few economic historians have as fluent a grasp of political or military history or, more important, write as lucidly and with such great flair about these subjects -- Liaquat Ahamed, Foreign AffairsI've been waiting for Brad [DeLong]'s big economic history opus for a long time now -- Ezra KleinSlouching Towards Utopia is an impressive achievement, written with wit and style and a formidable command of detail -- The EconomistDeLong explores the slice of history he has chosen - the "long twentieth century" from 1870 to 2010 - in depth, and he often writes with verve combined with thought-provoking detail -- Daily TelegraphAccessible and illuminating explanations of key historical shifts and the socio-economic forces driving them . . . A sprawling but carefully argued, edifying account of modern economic history and its impact on global well-being -- Kirkus ReviewsConveys a wealth of information in elegant, accessible prose, combining grand, epochal perspectives with fascinating discursions on everything from alternating-current electricity to the gender wage gap. The result is a cogent interpretation of economic modernity that illuminates both its nigh-miraculous achievements and its seething discontents -- Publishers Weekly, starred reviewThis volume, partly an economic history but mostly a thorough record of the global economy's connection with politics, is destined to become a classic in its category -- Library JournalOne of the most ambitious and admirable economic history books of the year . . . DeLong is a guide whose conclusions I cannot fault -- Strategy+BusinessA fantastic read . . . you don't have to be an economist or historian to enjoy this book or reach for the smelling salts to revive you from boredom -- Patrick Luciani, The HubDeeply engaging . . . a work of strikingly expansive breadth and scope -- Benjamin M. Friedman, Harvard MagazineDeLong written the most entertaining End Times narrative since The Late Great Planet Earth -- Steve Donoghue, Open Letters ReviewWorries that the future will be worse than the present are an excellent reason to read economic histories such as Bradford DeLong's new book, Slouching Towards Utopia -- Joshua Kim, Inside Higher EdA masterpiece -- Zachary D. Carter, DissentA magisterial new economic history -- Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles TimesIf you want to follow the conversation right now on global economic history, you should check out Brad DeLong's Slouching Towards Utopia -- Adam Tooze, on The Ezra Klein Show

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Book SynopsisA FINANCIAL TIMES BEST ECONOMICS BOOK OF THE YEARA THE ECONOMIST BOOK OF THE YEAR''Brilliantly conceived and enlightening at every turn'' Lawrence WrightWe have long been suspicious of corporations recklessly pursuing profit and amassing wealth and power.But the story of the corporation didn''t have to be like this. For most of history, they were not amoral entities, but public institutions designed to promote the societies that granted them charter. Magnuson reveals how the corporation has evolved since its beginnings in the ancient world. What happens in this next chapter of the global economy depends on whether we can return to their public-minded spirit, or whether we have sunk irrevocably into the swamp of high profit at all costs.Epic and compelling in scope, For Profit illuminates the roles corporations played, for good and evil, in the making of the modern world.Trade ReviewBrilliantly conceived and enlightening at every turn, For Profit is a thrilling history of an institution that has shaped all our lives - for better and for worse -- Lawrence Wright, author of 'The Plague Year'In this lively and informativehistory of the corporation, William Magnuson shows that corporations were born to serve the public interest-only to be used and abused time and again to maximize profits for shareholders and executives. A must-read for any student of the world's most influential form of economic organization -- Adam Winkler, author of 'We the Corporations'A magnificent history of corporations . . . Private enterprises have produced some of humankind's greatest achievements. But often the most dazzling overstep the mark, leaving a trail of debris and distrust behind them -- The EconomistI can pay Magnuson no higher compliment than to say that For Profit is a book I would be proud to have written -- Martin Vander Weyer, The SpectatorA historical tour de force -- Bloomberg OpinionCorporations have a lengthy and valuable history as social institutions . . . The book makes a useful contribution to a fundamental debate -- Financial Times

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Book SynopsisAn alternative reading of the relationship between the state and smallholder peasants in mid-nineteenth-century EgyptThis book examines the rural history of Egypt during the middle years of the nineteenth century, a period that is often glossed over, or altogether forgotten. Drawing on a wide array of archival sources, some only rarely utilized by other scholars, it argues that state policy targeting the peasant land tenure regime was informed by the dual economic principles of the Ottoman, or traditional, philosophy of statecraft, and that the workings of the relevant regulations did not produce extensive peasant land loss and impoverishment.Maha Ghalwash presents a rich, detailed analysis of such crucial issues as land legislation, tax impositions, the system of tax collection, modes of land acquisition, large-scale peasant abandonment of land, the emergence of surplus lands, the formation of large, privileged estates, distribution of village land, female land inheritance, and the nature of peasants’ political activity. In investigating these issues, she highlights peasant voices, experiences, and agential power.Traditional interpretations of the rural history of nineteenth-century Egypt generally specify an avaricious state, so indifferent to peasant well-being that it consistently developed harsh policies that led to unremitting, extensive peasant impoverishment. Through an examination of the relationship between the absolutist state and the majority of its subject population, the peasant smallholders, during 1848–63, this study shows that these ideas do not hold for the mid-century period. State, Peasants, and Land in Mid-Nineteenth-Century Egypt will be of interest to students of Middle East history, especially Egyptian rural history, as well as those of peasant studies, subaltern studies, gender studies, and Ottoman rural history.Trade Review"Through examination of a remarkably rich collection of land registers, court records, government documents, and more, Maha Ghalwash weaves a nuanced and compelling narrative about Egyptian peasants during the mid-nineteenth century. She draws on the voices of the villagers, and how they negotiated with a centralized government, to introduce an alternative perspective on the nature of their relationship with the state. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of rural Egypt during a decisive period in the country’s modern state formation.”—Zeinab Abul-Magd, Oberlin College"An impressively thorough and meticulous book, which challenges the conventional wisdom and breaks new ground in our understandings of peasant land tenure and peasant–state relations in mid-nineteenth century Egypt."—John Chalcraft, London School of Economics and Political Science"This empirically driven study weaves together a critical reading of state policies with a close attention to peasant voices. Maha Ghalwash offers a vivid picture of rural society in mid-nineteenth-century Egypt that invites us to rethink the role of global markets, dynastic politics, notions of justice, and peasant agency. The result is a truly revisionist account of Egypt in the middle decades of the nineteenth century."—Khaled Fahmy, Tufts University“In this cogently argued and extensively documented survey, Maha Ghalwash sheds new light on a period of Egyptian history that is usually dismissed as static if not retrograde. Equally important, she enhances our understanding of the institutions and procedures of governance in Egypt’s agrarian provinces at a moment when private landholding and market dynamics were superseding communal property rights and overtly regulated transactions. Anyone who wishes to explore the multifaceted economic transformation that reconfigured the Middle East during the mid-nineteenth century can now complement path-breaking scholarship on Ottoman Syria and Anatolia with the arguably more consequential case of Khedival Egypt.”—Fred H. Lawson, Mills College“It is refreshing and reassuring to find a historian who bases her work on detailed archival research and who is unafraid to go against the political tides which see the rich and powerful—and modern capitalism—as an all-powerful evil force.”—Patrick Clawson, Middle East QuarterlyTable of ContentsPreface List of Abbreviations Note on transliteration, spelling and dates Introduction 1. The Land Laws 2. Peasants and Taxes 3. System of Tax Collection 4. Land Tenure in Peasant Villages 5. Peasant Women and Inheritance of Land Conclusion Appendix I: The Distribution of Land in the Sample Villages:Distribution According to Different Categories Appendix II: The Impact of the Major Tax Codes on the FourSample Villages Appendix III: Egyptian Archival Sources Select BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisCapitalism shapes every aspect of our world, beyond just our economic structures; it moulds our values and influences the way we write laws, wage wars and even conduct personal relationships. From its beginnings to the present day, Capitalism: A Graphic Guide tells the story of capitalism's remarkable and often ruthless rise, evolving through strife and struggle as much as innovation and enterprise. This non-fiction graphic novel explores the key developments that have shaped our modern world, from early banking to the Opium Wars, financial crashes, the rise of service economies and concerns about sustainability. It also introduces us to the leading proponents and critics of capitalism, providing both a theoretical and practical understanding of this fascinating subject.

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Book SynopsisPioneer Merchants of Singapore tells the stories of some of Singapore's earliest merchants, including Alexander Laurie Johnston, Edward Boustead, Alexander Guthrie, and eleven others, including Tan Che Sang, Dr Jose d'Almeida, and D S Napier. Much has been written about Sir Stamford Raffles and Lt. Col. Farquhar, but almost nothing has been published about these merchants of all races operating in Singapore during the first few years following its acquisition by the East India Company in 1819. It includes never-before-published information drawn from letters dating back to 1818. These, including letters from Johnston's first employee and business partner Andrew Hay and a previously unrecorded letter from Raffles himself, shed light on much which otherwise would have been lost to us.This book aims to fill a gap in our knowledge of the early days of Singapore and the challenges faced by its early residents. It is a must-read for those who are interested in the history of Singapore's early years as a trading colony.

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Book SynopsisA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND FORTUNE MAGAZINE. The epic story of how a young social climber from Malaysia pulled off one of the biggest financial heists in history. In 2015, rumours began circulating that billions of dollars had been stolen from a Malaysian investment fund. The mastermind of the heist was twenty-seven-year-old Jho Low, a serial fabulist from an upper-middle-class Malaysian family, who had carefully built his reputation as a member of the jet-setting elite by arranging and financing elaborate parties for Wall Street bankers, celebrities, and even royalty. With the aid of Goldman Sachs and others, Low stole billions of dollars, right under the nose of global financial industry watchdogs. He used the money to finance elections, purchase luxury real estate, throw champagne-drenched parties, and bankroll Hollywood films like The Wolf of Wall Street. Billion Dollar Whale reveals how this silver-tongued con man, a ‘modern Gatsby’, emerged from obscurity to pull off one of the most audacious financial heists the world has ever seen, and how the financial industry let him. It is a classic harrowing parable of hubris and greed in the financial world.Trade Review‘An extraordinary tale … richly woven … with dogged reporting … Like all good business stories, Billion Dollar Whale is bigger than the immediate one it tells. It is a story of emerging markets crippled by corruption and cronyism and comes from the era of egregious — and mostly punishment-free — banking … One thing is clear. If ever Hollywood gets round to telling the story on screen, here is perfect material for the script.’ * Financial Times *‘If you like global intrigue, financial crime, wealth porn, and absurdity, Billion Dollar Whale, by Tom Wright and Bradley Hope, is for you … It almost seems made up. Still, anyone who has followed the news out of Malaysia will know that the story is all too real.’ * The New Yorker *‘As Bad Blood is to biotech, Billion Dollar Whale is to international finance … a wonderful read … Thrilling.’ -- Bill Gates‘An impeccably researched book.’ -- Matthew Valencia * The Economist *‘One of the best business books in a long time.’ * Brian Sullivan, CNBC *‘What a blast to read! A true life thriller that reads like a Hollywood movie, Billion Dollar Whale traces the exploits of the most mercurial, mysterious big player in history. Jho Low is Gatsby with twice the bank account and ten times the ambition, and the stories surrounding his exploits leap right off the page!’ * Ben Mezrich, New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental Billionaires and Bringing Down The House *‘I couldn’t put it down.’ -- Pete Tong * The Times *‘One of the most important books of 2018.’ * MoneyLaundering.com *‘Wright and Hope deliver a scintillating and prodigiously reported tale of a globe-spanning modern Gatsby and his audacious fraud.’ * Jesse Eisinger, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for ProPublica and author of The Chickenshit Club *‘This story of a Wharton graduate who carried out the $5 billion swindle known as 1MDB offers a textbook case of financial fraud in the modern age.’ * New York Times *‘A rip-roaring case in kleptocracy.’ * The Economist *‘An incredible story … If you need some billionaires to despise—look no further than these charlatans.’ * Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit *‘Even the most skilled fiction writer would have trouble conjuring the corrupt and colorful protagonist of Billion Dollar Whale. Bradley Hope and Tom Wright's gripping portrait of Jho Low and his enablers throughout the global financial system will both fascinate and enrage you.’ * Sheelah Kolhatkar, staff writer at The New Yorker and New York Times bestselling author of Black Edge *‘The story of a massive international financial scandal … As the authors amply prove, the scandal reaches far beyond Low. To succeed, he relied on the naivete, greed, and generally immoral conduct of huge banks as well as corrupt governments.’ * Kirkus *‘Wright and Hope transform their investigation of a mind-boggling financial fraud into a nonfiction thriller … This is an epic tale of white-collar crime on a global scale.’ STARRED REVIEW * Publishers Weekly *‘An amazing tale of greed … juicy and entertaining.’ STARRED REVIEW * Library Journal *‘Well-researched and well-documented … Reveals how Low used a bag of tricks, including financial fraud, to make himself seem more powerful, more influential, and more successful than he actually was … This is a must-read.’ * Booklist *‘Billion Dollar Whale does more than dissect a financial fraud of epic proportions; it takes the reader on a fascinating journey inside the heart of a con that was years in the making. Wright and Hope show how perception becomes reality in the hands of a consummate financial illusionist. Billion Dollar Whale proves once again that truth is stranger than fiction.’ -- Gregory A. Coleman, retired FBI Special Agent; Case Agent, ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Investigation‘The authors strike a good balance between keeping Low’s story at the centre and making it clear that 1MDB was a scandal waiting to happen … they also provide some telling anecdotes.’ * Money Week *‘I highly recommend this rip-roaring story of brazen fraud … political corruption … and investment-banker callousness.’ * Adam Lashinsky, Fortune *‘Jaw dropping.’ -- Ed Needham * Strong Words *‘Gripping … The heist of the century.’ * Axios *‘Take one chubby Malaysian business school graduate. Mix with Middle Eastern sheikhs and greedy Southeast Asian politicians. Add Wall Street investment banks, law firms and Swiss wealth managers. Then mix in superyachts, five-star hotels, luxury apartments, nightclubs, models, A-list movie stars — and bathtubs of champagne … [This] richly reported page-turner is meticulously pieced together from interviews, documents and emails by Wall Street Journal reporters Tom Wright and Bradley Hope.’ * Peter Thal Larsen, Reuters *‘Compelling.’ * Minneapolis Star Tribune *‘A wonderful book … A rip-roaring, absolutely delightful account of one of the biggest financial cons in the history of the world … If you liked Bad Blood, you might well enjoy Billion Dollar Whale … An incredible story of a con artist at the height of his game.’ * David Plotz, Slate “Political Gabfest” *‘A cracking read.’ * Unreserved Media *‘An incredible story.’ * Knowledge@Wharton *‘Just finished reading Billion Dollar Whale and was blown away. I thought I had seen it all with Russian kleptocracy, but the story of the money stolen in Malaysia in 1MDB and all the enthusiastic Western enablers was unbelievable.’ -- Bill Browder, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Red Notice‘This thrilling true story reads like a Hollywood movie.’ * Sheerluxe Man *

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Book SynopsisA systematic rethinking of financialization, which explores how financial capitalism especially the asset management industry is organised, how the locus of power has shifted from public to private authority, and how its consequences have defined finance's societal purpose.

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Book SynopsisIlluminates how new modes of artistic production in colonial India shaped the British state’s nationalisation of the East India Company, transforming the relationship between nation and empire This pioneering book explores how art shaped the nationalisation of the East India Company between the loss of its primary monopoly in 1813 and its ultimate liquidation in 1858. Challenging the idea that parliament drove political reform, it argues instead that the Company’s political legitimacy was destabilised by novel modes of artistic production in colonial India. New artistic forms and practices—the result of new technologies like lithography and steam navigation, middle-class print formats like the periodical, the scrapbook and the literary annual, as well as the prevalence of amateur sketching among Company employees—reconfigured the colonial regime’s racial boundaries and techniques of governance. They flourished within transimperial networks, integrating middle-class societies with new political convictions and moral disciplines, and thereby eroding the aristocratic corporate cultures that had previously structured colonial authority in India. Unmaking the East India Company contributes to a reassessment of British art as a global, corporate and intrinsically imperial phenomenon—highlighting the role of overlooked media, artistic styles and print formats in crafting those distinctions of power and identity that defined ‘Britishness’ across the world. Distributed for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British ArtTrade Review“[A] pioneering book. . . . Tom Young has risen to the challenge brilliantly. The book is lavishly illustrated and extremely well produced. . . . Every facet of this book is admirable.”—Charles Greig, Chowkidar“Unmaking the East India Company is theoretically engaged but eminently readable and beautifully illustrated.”—John Mcaleer, H Soz Kult

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Kalman tells the story of the Bacris and the Busnachs with verve and a certain wry panache, liberally quoting from primary sources which can be entertainingly theatrical."---Peter Gordon, Asian Review of Books

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