Signals

How Everyday Signs Can Help Us Navigate the World's Turbulent Economy

By: Dr Pippa Malmgren

Narrated by: Dr Pippa Malmgren

Signals is the story of the world economy, told in the language of everyday objects, places and events - from magazine covers and supermarkets to public protests.

Pippa Malmgren argues that by being alert to the many signals around us, we can be empowered to deal with the varied troubles and treasures the world economy inevitably brings.

Economics is not just maths and data. Perfume and makeup are part of the world economy, too. Signals will help you understand why the size of chocolate bars, steaks and apartments are shrinking. It explains why the government says we face deflation, yet everyone feels their cost of living is rising and their standard of living is falling. Rising protein prices are felt not just during your weekly shop but by the leaders of emerging markets who are obliged to reach for food and energy assets to feed their people. The increasing near misses between America's spy planes and the fighter jets of China and Russia are no coincidence.

Malmgren reveals how our daily lives are affected by the ongoing battle, created by central bankers, between inflation and deflation. The fallout of this battle is evident in the rise of antiestablishment voting, the return of social unrest to emerging markets, the movement of manufacturing jobs back to the West and pressure from mass immigration.

Economic forces are breaking the social contract between citizens and their states. If the only real solution is innovation, then the key question becomes whether governments are hostile or hospitable to efforts to build tomorrow's economy today.

Malmgren shows us who is already building the future and how to be part of it. With its wonderful range of examples, from a Vogue magazine cover to a protest by a Tibetan monk, Signals demonstrates that although we can't predict the future of the world economy, we can better prepare ourselves for it.

Far from being the concern of only a privileged few, Malmgren shows that economics is a hot topic that touches every life.

Written and read by Dr Pippa Malmgrem.

©2016 Pippa Malmgren (P)2016 Orion Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"A tour de force." (Lord Rose, former CEO and Chairman of Marks & Spencer)
"Dr Pippa Malmgren's book is essential reading." (Dr Liam Fox, former British Defence Minister)
"Better than Piketty." (James Galbraith, Chair of Government and Business at the University of Texas)

A really good read

The author did a superb job of breaking down a challenging subject into relatable terms. I have listened to a lot of books on economics and George-politics and found this one very useful in my every day life. There are signals everywhere, we just have to recognize them when we stumble onto them.

Excellent!

An eye opening listen. Good narration by the author. If you are not very familiar with economic influences on geopolitics, or on the various ways governments can tax you other than taxation, you will walk away wiser. Made me rethink some preconceived notions. Who knew economics could be so fascinating?

good analysis of late teens political scene

very well constructed and thought out analysis of the current global economic reality by experienced economist and wall street employee and business owner

Overview of Actual Economics

The story of our nowadays economic problems are well told and explained. The books gives you an overview of our current situation but never saw the signal that would have ignited me.

Written and read by the signal maven herself!

I absolutely admire Pippa, and this book definitely did not disappoint! Must read for anyone, especially anyone who enjoys macro.