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Adam Smith

What He Thought, and Why It Matters

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Adam Smith

By: Jesse Norman
Narrated by: Jesse Norman
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Adam Smith written and read by Jesse Norman.

Adam Smith is now widely regarded as 'the father of modern economics' and the most influential economist who ever lived. But what he really thought, and what the implications of his ideas are, remain fiercely contested. Was he an eloquent advocate of capitalism and the freedom of the individual? Or a prime mover of 'market fundamentalism' and an apologist for inequality and human selfishness?

This exceptional book, by a writer who combines to an unusual degree intellectual training and practical political experience, dispels the myths and caricatures and gives us Smith in the round. It lays out a succinct and highly engaging account of Smith's life and times, explores his work as a whole and traces his influence over the past two centuries. Finally, it shows how a proper understanding of Smith can help us grasp - and address - the problems of modern capitalism. The Smith who emerges from this book is not only the first thinker to place markets at the heart of economics but also a pioneering theorist of moral philosophy, culture and society.

©2018 Jesse Norman (P)2018 Penguin Audio
Historical Philosophers Theory Economic disparity Economic inequality American History US Economy
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Critic reviews

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)
Masterly ... amid the superficiality and hysterics of modern British politics, an admirably thoughtful brain is lurking (Edward Lucas)
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. (Oliver Letwin)

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Detail overview thought provoking

Sometimes heavy going and it did seem to drift but overall worth persevering as part are excellent and what seemed to be divergence merely fill in some foundation on Adam Smiths life and contribution.

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Worth buying

Excellent summary of Adam Smith and overview political economy. Much better than expected. Good audio performance by author

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Engaging and Educational

Having struggled badly reading The Wealth Of Nations. I approached this book with caution. I was very wrong to do so. This is an excellent book which breaks down Smiths views and compares them to modern examples. More importantly, the reader is reminded that Smiths influence and ideas are still very relevant. The book also changes my overall view of Smith. As once thought of as an economist, but in reality he was a philosopher. The performance was very engaging which kept me interested in a subject which can be at times, very dull. I highly recommend this book as it provides and insight into the economies and markets of nations past and present, but also of a very fascinating and strong willed individual whom was never afraid of stating his strong opposition to barbaric practices of his time.

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The Future Well Told

This is a work of first class scholarship. It presents a political and economic manifesto essential for a prosperous future for us all based upon the learnings and lessons drawn critically from the complete writings of Adam Smith. It is a great pity that the current leadership of Mr Norman’s Tory Party will see this work, if they see it at all, as a threat rather than a promise!

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