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  • The Wealth of Nations

  • By: Adam Smith
  • Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
  • Length: 36 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,553 ratings)

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The Wealth of Nations

By: Adam Smith
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
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Publisher's summary

The foundation for all modern economic thought and political economy, The Wealth of Nations is the magnum opus of Scottish economist Adam Smith, who introduces the world to the very idea of economics and capitalism in the modern sense of the words. Smith details his argument in five books:

  • Book I. Of the Causes of Improvement in the Productive Power of Labour
  • Book II. Of the Nature, Accumulation, and Employment of Stock Introduction
  • Book III. Of the Different Progress of Opulence in Different Nations
  • Book IV. Of Systems of Political Economy
  • Book V. Of the Revenue of the Sovereign or Commonwealth

Taken together, these books form a giant leap forward in the field of economics. A product of the "Age of Enlightenment," The Wealth of Nations is a must for all who wish to gain a better understanding of the principles upon which all modern capitalistic economies have been founded and the process of wealth creation that is engendered by those principles.

Public Domain (P)2010 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The Wealth of Nations

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A 10/10 book, worth listening to.

I have, for quite some time looked forward towords listening to this piece of art.

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my new favorite audiobook

narrator rocks. best ive ever heard. book is long but everyvword valuable. i am so happy with this audiobook.

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excellent

tough read. but invaluable. learned so much. love the voice. puts a lot into perspective

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A Financial Trip, Back in Time

If you enjoy reading books, about contemporary, financial, and economic, issues, this book is for you. This is the financial book, of financial books.

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Amazingly accessible

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. I had thought the Smith had anticipated much of our current understanding of the way markets function. Instead, he had all of the fundamentals figured out. I was fearing that it would be quite obscure in topic and language, but found it pleasantly accessible, if perhaps a bit long.

As as reading the classics, I would definitely recommend this.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The market.

What about Gildart Jackson’s performance did you like?

It fit the material.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Way Your World Works

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47 people found this helpful

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The Wealth of Ages

The book is great compilation of financial data, non-mercantile philosophy and an insight into the mind of the author and his thoroughness amazes me. It is no doubt that collecting all this data back in his time would have been an achievement in itself.
I feel a better understanding of the very fundamentals of economy and society. Interestingly, although unintentional, one can learn a lot about the roots of many words and phrases we commonly use today without them making direct sense to us in modern context.
It is hard to retain all the information contained in this laborious book though and ancient data often becomes a drag when listening to it.

I would suggest readers that if they can find an abridged copy of the book or a commentary on this book which skips the tedious ancient data but retains the original content on philosophy, social and political impact of economic policies and general humour and observations of this very learned author then it would be perhaps a more enjoyable reading than the current tome.

The wisdom speaks through the ages here.

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23 people found this helpful

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Outstanding!

Our political and economic leaders would do well to learn what Adam Smith understood in the 1700s. We keep making the same costly mistakes! There are no excuses for the gross failures we see in our economies today.

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2 people found this helpful

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Great to help understand government & economics

Adam Smith's analysis of governments is as relevant today as 240 years ago.
Many politicians should listen to this book.

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Great Narration of a Classic

Gildart Jackson is a great choice for a narrator if this foundational treatise on capitalism. Adam Smith provides great detail about the market and its benefits, with historical and contemporary anecdotes that prove his points.

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Great insight into the origins of our economy

Definitely a great insight. But also a challenge due to the tedious attention to detail and the inevitable use of centuries old terminology.

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