Unlimited Wealth: The Theory and Practice of Economic Alchemy [Hardcover]

Paul Zane Pilzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 1991

Modern technology is transforming our most basic ideas about the creation of wealth. This book reveals how a new way of economic thinking is essential for success in today's world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pilzer's upbeat, jargon-coining manual is a mix of questionable assertions, glib pop economic analysis and sweeping proposals, some on-target. His "theory of alchemy" holds that we live in a world of unlimited economic resources, circumscribed only by our inability to take advantage of the best technology available for a given production problem. "Alchemists" devise new goods or new services, orchestrating change and exploiting technological gaps. The author, adjunct professor of finance at New York University, has served as an adviser to the Reagan and Bush administrations. His proposals for a restructuring of public and private education (including government tuition grants to every child) and for a national child-care program seem at once far-reaching and impractical. He also recommends a flexible immigration policy that would admit up to three million additional immigrants yearly to fill "a critical shortage of labor." Equally controversial is his analysis of a Japan that he sees heading toward economic disaster.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The coauthor of Other People's Money ( LJ 11/15/89), a history of the savings and loan industry, here turns his attention to more general economic questions. Standing traditional economics on its head, Pilzer argues that the true problem is not lack of resources but lack of demand. Technology has abolished resource scarcity, he asserts, and become the driving force shaping demand, economic wealth, and progress. He discusses the impact of this development on education, immigration, and the U.S. relationship with Japan. Ultimately the book is not so much a direct challenge to current economic thinking as a call for a change in emphasis. Useful for large libraries seeking complete collections.
- Richard C. Schiming, Mankato State Univ., Minn.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 226 pages
• Publisher: Crown; 1 edition (January 9, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517582112
• ISBN-13: 978-0517582114
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #524,904 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul Zane Pilzer completed college in three years and received his M.B.A. from Wharton Graduate Business School in fifteen months at age twenty-two. At age twenty-four, he was appointed a professor at New York University.While employed as Citibank's youngest officer at age twenty-two and its youngest vice-president at twenty-five, Pilzer started several entrepreneurial businesses and earned his first million before age twenty-six.He has been an appointed economic adviser in two presidential administrations. In 1985 he testified before Congress, warning that the S & L problem would grow to a $200 billion-dollar disaster. Congress didn't listen, and in 1989 Pilzer wrote Other People's Money (Simon & Schuster), which was critically acclaimed by The New York Times, The Economist magazine, and Nobel prizewinner John Kenneth Galbraith.Pilzer's second book, Unlimited Wealth (Crown Publishers, Inc., 1991, 1994), explained how we live in a world of unlimited physical resources because of rapidly advancing technology. After reading Unlimited Wealth, the late Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, said that he was "amazed at Pilzer's business capacity" and his "ability to put it into layman's terms." Unlimited Wealth has been published in Japan, Taiwan, and the Russian Republic.But the greatest accolades have come for God Wants You to Be Rich, which appeared on The New York Times Business bestseller list, was featured on the cover of national magazines such as Success, and was the subject of a front-page story in The Wall Street Journal.Today, Pilzer is a contributing editor to two economic journals, an adjunct professor at New York University, and the Founder and Publisher of Zane Publishing, Inc., a leading CD-ROM educational publisher.He has been a regular commentator on CNN and National Public Radio, and has appeared several times on the Larry King Live! television program.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for Business Leaders, March 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Unlimited Wealth: The Theory and Practice of Economic Alchemy (Audio Cassette)

"Unlimited Wealth" by Paul Pilzer is a very interesting read. A fresh alternative to economic theory that is insightful and thought provoking. His take on "economic alchemy" gives specific references to the state of the USA and how it reached the point where it is in the global arena. This book is not a lot of fluff with tons of jargon that only financial experts can relate to. It consists of a very logical breakdown of how productivity is generated. There are some excellent ideas within this book that illustrate how issues like immigration and education are and should be addressed. Mr. Pilzer keeps the reader very interested by quoting some very astounding and possibly overlooked facts to prove his points. While his theory may not be watertight to many economists, his notions of alchemic principles should not be overlooked. This book offers a strong theory behind the growth of nations to the generation by individuals of enormous wealth and prosperity. For instance, who knew that a man could make a $56 billion dollar fortune selling software before he made it happen. Also, back at the beginning of civilization, who knew that the world population could grow to consist of 6 Billion people. Someone somewhere must be creating something from what used to be nothing.

On a final note, if you are someone who is chasing the American Dream. The dream of independence, freedom, and the realization of your own personal dreams, goals, and desires, I would recommend this book.

P.S. This book gives a detailed analysis on the strengths and flaws of the Japanese economy. Written back in 1990, could it have predicted the recent asian financial crisis? Comments?

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a unified field theory for wealth, May 10, 2003

By 

wayne (long island, ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unlimited Wealth: The Theory and Practice of Economic Alchemy (Hardcover)

This book describes how to build wealth broadly enough so you can apply its principles to anything. its main principle is technology unleashes your ability to build wealth and by applying dormant but existing technology to resources will create enough value for you to achieve wealth. ie using the latest version software could dramatically improve your bottom line.
Probably the most inspiring principle for me is the statement: The faster you process information the faster you will achieve your goals. This makes total sense because if knowledge is power the most important knowledge is the knowledge that allows you to get more of it. I know alot of people who are determined to succeed but they learn so slowly that by the time they figure everything out it will be too late. With the rate of change today one of the skills you've got to have is the ability to learn rapidly!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Eye Opener, May 8, 2003

By 

Timothy J. Mcmahon "Author www.HealthyTongueS... (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unlimited Wealth: The Theory and Practice of Economic Alchemy (Hardcover)

I read this book many years ago and am still impressed by the clarity of the logic. It presents a wonderful view of the world as a place of abundance and wealth. This is a beautiful contrast to the belief many people have that the world has limited resources, so the only way to get anything is to take it from someone else. This book has forever changed my worldview.

Tim McMahon...