The Making of Modern Economics

The Lives and Ideas of the Great Thinkers

By: Mark Skousen

Narrated by: Patrick Cullen

Length: 19 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is a bold new history of economics, the dramatic story of how the great economic thinkers built a rigorous social science without peer.

Unlike other histories of economics, Mark Skousen's book provides a running plot with a singular heroic figure, Adam Smith, at the center of the discipline. Skousen unites the great thinkers by ranking them for or against Adam Smith and his "system of natural liberty". He shows how Karl Marx, Thorstein Veblen, John Maynard Keynes, and even laissez-faire disciples Robert Malthus and David Ricardo detracted from Adam Smith's classical model of democratic capitalism during periods of economic failure and upheaval, while Alfred Marshall, Irving Fisher, Ludwig von Mises, and Milton Friedman, among others, remodeled and improved upon Smithian economics as the world economy recovered and prospered.

Highlights include exciting new revelations about the lives of the great economists, provocative sidelights, humorous anecdotes, and even musical selections reflecting the spirit of each major economist.

©2001 Mark Skousen (P)2002 Blackstone Audiobooks

Great Book

I have to say as my first book to listen to in economics for 15 years (when I read books) I loved the overview all bar the last 30 minutes was well balanced and interesting.

Fair Review of the Men Behind Modern Economics

Mark Skousen does an excellent job of bringing the history of economics to life. He weaves the lives of these great thinkers together in such an entertaining way that you don't even realize that you are listening to economics. He helps you to understand the theorists by sharing with you their personal histories. This was a great listen. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Very well read and thought out

This book is entertaining to listen and provides a wonderful insight into the thinkers that created modern economics. This is not a bunch of theoretical Supply/Demand carnage. This is a thought provoking insight as to who and why our economic system was created.

This is a great book

This books cleared up many of the items I learned about economics in school. It is a great clearly writen book. I guess its true your never to old to learn

For interested econ students

A great read for anyone interested in a broad take on economic theory. I have read “The Worldly Philosophers” before this and was surprised by the difference in content. The author made no claim of being un-opinionated and put greater emphasis on the classical school originating with Adam Smith. This was in contrast to the socialist leanings of “The Worldly Philosophers.” Both books are interesting and become more enlightening when compared to each other. They were both dense with information but were entertaining and easily understood.

Brilliant overview for non-economists

Starting with Adam Smith this book plots a well planned and thought out path to modern times.

The author clearly places great minds like Mill, Schumpeter, Marx and Mises in a way that helps to understand how our economics has developed, and in doing so shaped the world we live in.

I've listened twice and come back to my bookmarks regularly to review.

Must Read

This is, truly, the most important book ever written. It is not a tome of new ideas but a catalogue of the most important social advancement ever and its maturation over time. As a bonus, it does all of this in a very readable and entertaining format. This book is a lens that clarifies how we have come so far, so fast, and why we are faltering. I recommend this book to everyone.

I am looking for this great book

A great course about economics, with a complete outlook in the subject, that allows you to understand the sources of the economic thought, the development of each brunch and their current overview. Recommended for all people interested and should be read by students.
I am looking for something like this.

Worth the read despite strong bias

Although this book gives a very detailed potrait of the history of economics and the story of major economists, I find the author's idiosyncratic style a bit disorienting. Skousen maintains a very free-market perspective in his narrative, judging economists by their adherence to Smith's free market principles. The book also repeats facts and other information, leading me to believe that the book is at least partly a compliation of Skousen's previously written materials. I am not sure why we need to know that David Ricardo's teeth fell out while Skousen spends less time on the development of Ricardo's theories. The suggested musical selections are a bit strange, but they don't detract from the book.
Overall, I would suggest that you read the boook if you are interesteed in the story of economics, but be aware of Skousen's biases. Hopefully, Audible will release Heilbroner's The Wordly Philosophers to offer the other side's perspective.

Tremendous! Couldn't put it down.

There are so few authors who really understand the absolutely vital and positive impact that the Austrian, Chicago and Virginia schools have had on economic science. It is written so very well that it is facinating to listen to. This is a great place to hear the real scoop on Marx. Not a bad critique of Mises either. Bravo Dr. Skousen, you are my hero! Now I will have to go out and buy the book.