The Phoenix Economy

Work, Life, and Money in the New Not Normal

By: Felix Salmon

Narrated by: Felix Salmon

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2023 SABEW Best in Business Book Award for Investing and Personal Finance

An award-winning journalist presents a tour-de-force analysis—drawing from history, economics, sociology, and popular culture—of the profound and transformative years of the early 2020s, both for individuals and for the global economy.

We are living in a strange world—Salmon calls it “the New Not Normal.” The Phoenix Economy explores the ramifications of the pandemic years, many of which are surprisingly positive. In doing so, Salmon makes sense of one of the most disorienting and devastating events of our lifetimes. He examines the critical aspects of our lives that have been transformed in three parts: Time and Space, Mind and Body, and Business and Pleasure.

Salmon’s keen observations, on everything from meme stocks to lobster rolls, are backed by a deep understanding of financial markets and the quirks of human behavior. His clear-eyed perspective on human and economic events, combined with his considerable analytical and observational skills, make The Phoenix Economy an insightful, fast-paced listen.

This book is essential for anyone wanting a better understanding of the near- and long-term effects of this new era and what they portend for our lives. It’s a penetrating insight into what happened—and, more important, what lies ahead.

©2023 Felix Salmon (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Like his podcast get the book

Felix is great. Interesting topics good depth on economic issues. If you like his podcast you should get this.

Fascinating and though provoking

This book has the best introduction of any non-fiction book I have ever read. The meat of it is good too. Even when when it ventures into the changes in the finance world, it always ties it back to reality and day to day experience in often surprising ways. The author’s narration is a delight, no surprise given his podcast experience. Be warned though: know the definition of the word “liminal” before you start this book!

A good engaging book

I have some small disagreements with the way he contextualizes things but this is a good book if you want to read about the modern economy

Interesting point in time analysis

Salmon is always interesting, articulate, and well-sourced. This book feels very much like the type of point-in-time news and trend analysis he excels at, which is fun enough if you know what you're getting into. More tickles your brain than blows your hair back.

Heard on What Future?

Interesting convo with Josh on the What Future? Podcast so wanted to give it a go. Felix dives into countless topics and backs up his findings with data. If you have a hunch something changed in the economy over past few years, but aren’t sure how to quantify it, fear not. This book will cover it.

Excellent déjà vu

Felix Salmon put together the pieces of the pero- pandemic economy, as well as Adam Tooze does with the 2008 financial crisis in his book “Crash“. Much of what he writes about is common knowledge, but when put together in context, it is extremely enlightening, because Felix knows how to connect the dots. highly recommend it

Very insightful!

That’s exactly what we are all experiencing after Covid and it’s a great book for future generations to read

A great addition to the Felix Salmon audio universe

If you’re interested in a witty, easy to digest assessment of the economic repercussions of the last three years, you’ll want to read this book. And if you’re a fan of Felix’s podcast work, do yourself the favor of getting the audiobook.

Don't waste your time

A single man's biased opinion of the pandemic. You will learn nothing. Do not waste your time.