The Housing Boom and Bust

By: Thomas Sowell

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

There was no single, dramatic event that set the current financial crisis off. A whole series of very questionable decisions by many people, in many places, over a period of years, built up the pressures that led to a sudden collapse of the housing market and of financial institutions that began to fall like dominoes as a result of investing in securities based on housing prices.

This book is designed to unravel the tangled threads of that story. It also attempts to determine whether what is being done to deal with the problem is more likely to make things better or worse.

©2009 Thomas Sowell (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Among economists of the past thirty years, [Sowell] stands very proud indeed." ( Wall Street Journal)

Very informative

Sowell makes sense of why the boom and bust happened, then explains how those same principles are seen in other areas of economics.

Explains the Bust

Provides a lot of details on how we ended up in this housing trouble. There's a lot more to it than I realized.

Debunking the Myths

Sowell once again knocks it out of the park. His graceful writing style coupled with his meticulous research provide the reader with a refreshing perspective of the current economic crisis and what part housing has played in it. He exposes Christopher Dodd and Barney Frank for the circus clowns they are and debunks the "more regulation" myth that the media is spewing. After listening to this work, it becomes apparent that regulation in one form or another is what lead us down this disasterous path.

very good

Another great book by Thomas Sowell.
I have read most of his writings. The clarity of his thoughts and his intelligence is amazing.
Another classic for the 'weekend' economist.

A new and well grounded on solid data and facts.

Yet again, another case against the haist to ask the government to help the people in dire economic distreess. When the sheep calls the fox for help. The government mandate lax rules for lending, then blame lax regulations in the market.

Full of facts

Well narrorated. Enjoyed the read. Fact filled book that I will read again. Can't arrgue with facts.

This man is a genius

You won't read a more thoughtful or cogent analysis of the housing crisis than you'll find in this volume. An absolutely essential read from Sowell's impressive body of work.

Great Explanation

I wish I found this book when I wrote a paper on this very subject in graduate school. Sowell provides a great explanation to an often misunderstood event. Great listen for anyone whose interested in economics, the markets, or politics.

Sowell at his best

When Sowell sets out to write an excellent economic analysis about any topic he never disappoints. This work is no exception. The more I read excellent economic analysis the more I think there should be an economist tribunal that like the Supreme Court has final say of any spending bill. If the bill can't fund itself it must be killed. Nice work fine sir.

Dr. Sowell does what the media SHOULD do

Dr. Thomas Sowell is a national treasure, in my estimation. This book gives the origins of the current housing "bust" and recession his usual thorough treatment. His text is clear and concise, his facts well documented, and his logic brilliant. The Washington politicos and the mainstream media have blamed the crisis on Wall Street, but Dr. Sowell digs deeper. This is an extremely important book. We in the voting public need to be educated now more than ever, looking further down the road than tomorrow when making political decisions. Dr. Sowell teaches a long term view of things, and The Housing Boom and Bust is a timely lesson. Very, very highly recommend.

Also recommended by Dr. Sowell: Applied Economics, Black Rednecks and White Liberals, Quest for Cosmic Justice. All excellent.