On The Wealth of Nations: Books That Changed the World [Paperback]

P. J. O'Rourke (Author)

Book Description

Series: Books That Changed the World | Publication Date: December 21, 2007

InOn The Wealth of Nations, America’s most provocative satirist, P. J. O’Rourke, reads Adam Smith’s revolutionaryThe Wealth of Nationsso you don’t have to. Recognized almost instantly on its publication in 1776 as the fundamental work of economics,The Wealth of Nationswas also recognized as really long:  the original edition totaled over nine hundred pages in two volumes—including the blockbuster sixty-seven-page “digression concerning the variations in the value of silver during the course of the last four centuries,” which, “to those uninterested in the historiography of currency supply, is like reading Modern Maturity in Urdu.” Although daunting, Smith’s tome is still essential to understanding such current hot-topics as outsourcing, trade imbalances, and Angelina Jolie. In this hilarious, approachable, and insightful examination of Smith and his groundbreaking work, P. J. puts his trademark wit to good use, and shows us why Smith is still relevant, why what seems obvious now was once revolutionary, and why the pursuit of self-interest is so important.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Grove Press (December 21, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802143423
• ISBN-13: 978-0802143426
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, January 17, 2008

By 

Stephen B. Waters "sbw" (Rome, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On The Wealth of Nations: Books That Changed the World (Paperback)

I should have been exposed to a reliable, useful exposition of Adam's Smith's ideas in my History, Political Science, and Economics classes. None of them did as good a job as O'Rourke has done, distilling 900 pages down. O'Rourke ties Smith to today's issues. So far I have given away copies of this book to government officials, teachers, and friends. Please do the same.

It is frightening to discover that so many politicians' proposed solutions to current problems have been tried and failed, with historical examples and explanations documented by Smith. Where is our sense of history! Smith offers not belief, but fact. We all want to solve society's problems, but the solutions ought not cause greater problems than they cure.

After I listened to the CDs, I bought hard copy to underline. Now I leave it on my iPod so when I shuffle, I get 3 minutes of pithy insight, interspersed with cleansing music. Put this on your permanent reading and rereading list.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Read, April 5, 2008

By 

Ravi "FBI" (WA state) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: On The Wealth of Nations: Books That Changed the World (Paperback)

Can be easy or hard to read depending on how one approaches it, wants to gain from it, and how much already knows about the subject. I found it interesting to learn that 200 year old ideas are still applicable. I read it nice and slow, savoring a maximum of one chapter at a time, and perhaps re-reading it later. Reading the original work is not a realistic possibility. So it is good to have a condensed version of Adam Smith's ideas.
I found PJ's writing style and humor to be so interesting that I have ordered his other older books.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars less than 700 pages!, February 7, 2009

By 

KSH (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On The Wealth of Nations: Books That Changed the World (Paperback)

I read this myself and have given it as a gift to my sons who are interested in economics. I don't know anyone who has read the entire Wealth of Nations and this short version is excellent -- it contains all the ideas, great humor, and is short. The Wealth of Nations is truly a book that changed the world, and this will enlighten anyone interested in economics and wants to understand the root of today's economics.