A Little History of Economics

by Niall Kishtainy

Overview

A lively, inviting account of the history of economics, told through events from ancient to modern times and through the ideas of great thinkers in the field

“A whistle-stop introduction to the great works and thinkers of each age, this is a clear and accessible primer.”—Laura Garmeson, Financial Times
 
What causes poverty? Are economic crises inevitable under capitalism? Is government intervention in an economy helpful, or harmful? While the answers to such basic economic questions matter to everyone, the unfamiliar language and math of economics can seem daunting. This clear, accessible, and even humorous book is ideal for young readers new to economic concepts, and for readers of all ages who want to better understand economic history and ideas.
 
Economic historian Niall Kishtainy organizes short chapters that center on big ideas and events. He introduces us to some of the key thinkers—Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, and others—while examining topics ranging from the invention of money to the Great Depression, entrepreneurship, and behavioral economics. The result is an enjoyable book that succeeds in illuminating the economic ideas and forces that shape our world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300234527
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	02/27/2018
Series:	Little Histories
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	233,829
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Niall Kishtainy, former economic policy advisor to the UK government and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, is guest teacher, department of economic history, London School of Economics, and author of The Economics Book and Economics in Minutes. He lives in London.

Table of Contents

1 Cool Heads and Warm Hearts 1

2 The Soaring Swans 7

3 God's Economy 13

4 Going for Gold 19

5 Nature's Bounty 25

6 The Invisible Hand 31

7 Corn Meets Iron 37

8 An Ideal World 43

9 Too Many Mouths 49

10 Workers of the World 55

11 A Perfect Balance 61

12 Shut Out the Sun 67

13 The Profits of War 73

14 The Noisy Trumpeter 79

15 Coke or Pepsi? 85

16 The Man With a Plan 91

17 Flashing your Cash 97

18 Down the Plughole 103

19 Creative Destruction 109

20 The Prisoners' Dilemma 115

21 The Tyranny of Government 121

22 The Big Push 127

23 The Economics of Everything 133

24 Growing Up 139

25 Sweet Harmony 145

26 A World in Two 151

27 Fill Up the Bath 157

28 Ruled by Clowns 163

29 Money Illusion 169

30 Future Gazing 176

31 Speculators on the Attack 182

32 Saving the Underdog 188

33 Knowing Me, Knowing You 194

34 Broken Promises 200

35 Missing Women 206

36 Minds in Fog 212

37 Economics in the Real World 218

38 Bankers Go Wild 224

39 Giants in the Sky 230

40 Why Be an Economist? 236

Index 242

Editorial Reviews

"Economic theories count among the principal ideas that defined the modern world, yet the origins of the market forces that govern our lives can all too often seem distant and opaque. Enter Niall Kishtainy, who in A Little History of Economics has condensed 2000 years of thought down to 250 highly readable pages. . . . A whistle-stop introduction to the great works and thinkers of each age, this is a clear and accessible primer."—Laura Garmeson, Financial Times

"A pleasurable and easy way to become familiar with important economic ideas such as comparative advantage, unemployment, aggregate demand, inflation, and income inequality."—Foreign Affairs


“A great introduction to economics for beginners. This book is punchy and fun, and yet thorough in explaining what economists have contributed to our understanding of the world.”—Robert Shiller, Nobel Laureate in Economics

"Those who refuse to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Economics can help guide policy in a sensible direction; but the misuse of economics has also left individuals, companies, and countries in ruin. To understand what economics has got right—and to avoid repeating its mistakes—read this book."—Simon Johnson, Professor at MIT Sloan and author of 13 Bankers

"A deft, highly readable history of economics, full of humanity. You'll learn a lot — I did."—Tim Harford, author of Messy and The Undercover Economist

"This book is an intellectual treasure trove for anyone interested in history, big ideas, and the role that economic thinking has played in both for more than 2000 years."—Charles Wheelan, author of Naked Economics

"Many people wish they knew more about economic ideas—but not enough, apparently, to endure the discomfort they imagine that reading about them would entail. Niall Kishtainy’s A Little History of Economics solves their problem: its brief, charming vignettes read effortlessly, yet faithfully capture the deep insights that have so profoundly transformed how we think about our world."—Robert H. Frank, author of The Economic Naturalist

From the Publisher

“Economic theories count among the principal ideas that defined the modern world, yet the origins of the market forces that govern our lives can all too often seem distant and opaque. Enter Niall Kishtainy, who in A Little History of Economics has condensed 2000 years of thought down to 250 highly readable pages… A whistle-stop introduction to the great works and thinkers of each age,this is a clear and accessible primer.”—Laura Garmeson, Financial Times

Financial Times - Laura Garmeson