If You're So Smart: The Narrative of Economic Expertise (Paperback)

by Donald N. McCloskey (Author) "Crabs have big molting glands, which makes them good subjects for studying glands in general (Spaziani et al. 1989)..." (more)
Key Phrases: rhetorical tetrad, historical economists, folk philosophy, American Question, United States, Adam Smith (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
University of Iowa economist McCloskey, writing with wit and seriousness, ascribes society's economic evolution more to art than to science, concluding that economists cannot accurately predict economic results.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

In this witty, accessible, and revealing book, Deirdre McCloskey demystifies economic theory and practice to show that behind the economists claim to certainty is the ancient art of  storytelling. If You're So Smart will engage, enlighten, and empower anyone trying to evaluate the experts who stand ready to engineer our lives.

"Writing with delicious wit and great seriousness."—Publishers Weekly. "

"McCloskey is more interesting on an uninspired day than most of her peers can manage at their very best."—Peter Passell, New York Times

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Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (May 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226556719
• ISBN-13: 978-0226556710
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #933,637 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I don't know any rich economist, do you?, June 4, 2000

By A Customer

This book is great! McCloskey explains, with an easy to read style, but without losing the rigor on the content, how the economists tell stories to persuade the public, politicians and their colleagues. With a witty approach, McCloskey proves that economists aren't able to predict, why aren't all of them rich, then? The author gives several examples of how economists use rhetorical devices with the aim to persuade their audience, instead of the scientific methodology they officially support. This amazing and amusing book is not only for economists; if you think that economics are very serious, read this and the next time it will be harder for the economists to fool you!