Adam Smith

Father of Economics

De: Jesse Norman

Narrado por: Jesse Norman

A dazzlingly original, "remarkable" account of the life and thought of legendary economist Adam Smith (Financial Times).

Adam Smith (1723-1790) is now widely regarded as the greatest economist of all time. But what he really thought, and the implications of his ideas, remain fiercely contested. Was he an eloquent advocate of capitalism and individual freedom? A prime mover of "market fundamentalism"? An apologist for human selfishness? Or something else entirely?

In the tradition of The Worldly Philosophers, Adam Smith dispels the myths and caricatures, and provides a far more complex portrait of the man. Offering a highly engaging account of Smith's life and times, political philosopher Jesse Norman explores his work as a whole and traces his influence over two centuries to the present day. Finally, he shows how a proper understanding of Smith can help us address the problems of modern capitalism. The Smith who emerges from this book is not only the greatest of all economists but a pioneering theorist of moral philosophy, culture, and society.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Very readable...[Norman] does a fine job of applying Smith's thinking to a number of such modern challenges. In all, he never loses sight of Smith's implicit injunction to think more broadly than just economics."—Forbes

"A wise book accessible to the general reader...You'll want to read Mr. Norman and then Smith if you have any thought at all of getting beyond the clichés of left and right...Engaging, intelligent, educational."—Wall Street Journal

"Remarkable and intensely readable.... Norman is a Conservative MP, and the very existence of the book, which draws on his background as a philosopher but also displays wide knowledge of economics and the history of the Enlightenment in 18th-century Edinburgh, is a rejoinder to those who fear that the intellectual has disappeared from politics, along with respect for facts and contact with reality."—Financial Times

"In this splendid book, Jesse Norman not only presents an excellent introduction to the life and ideas of Adam Smith, but also explains why - and how - Smith's insights can help us solve some of the most difficult social and economic problems of the contemporary world. Smith loved lucidity and relevance, and I think he would have been very happy with Norman's book."—Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate in Economics

"A worthy addition to the literature surrounding Smith and that of modern conservative thought."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Well-written, well-argued, and intensely thought-provoking.... I hope some of the author's parliamentary colleagues summon up the moral and intellectual strength to read it."—Simon Heffer, Spectator

"Norman has written a wonderfully clear account of the life and thought of Adam Smith."—Sunday Times

"I can't recommend this biography too highly."—Dan Hannan, Sunday Telegraph

"Norman's book...critiques what he calls 'crony capitalism'--a system he believes Adam Smith would have detested.... Accomplished and eloquent."—New Statesman

"It is a cause for rejoicing that we live in a country in which a front-line politician like Jesse Norman has the capacity and the energy to write an important work of revisionist biography with a direct and important impact on the intellectual underpinnings of liberal free-market thought. If we want to be well governed, we need to be governed by people who have the capacity not merely to act but also to think--and Jesse Norman, as this book amply demonstrates, is one of those people.... A wide-ranging, beautifully written book."—Oliver Letwin, Telegraph

Rich and Balanced

This was a great read, but deep and rather slow-moving early on. Once you get in the groove though, you won’t put it down! Very thoughtful, applicable, and well balanced review of Adam Smith and his ideas.

Most excellent book!

From Bacon and Newton, to John Stewart Mills, Keynes, Friedman, Thaler and Freakonomics. The book solidly sets up the context by outlying the social, economic and political conditions of the times and constantly compares and shows how Smith's work is relevant in our current day.

Insightful into the mind of Economic Man

Social philosophy at its best. Incredibly well written. Erudite author on erudite thinker. Enjoyed it.

Must read for global macro investors

A must read for global macro investors, answered lots of questions about free trade system

A humanistic take on Adam Smith.

All those who think, and believe they know who Adam Smith was, should listen to or read this book.