Wealth of Nations (Great Minds Series) [Abridged] [Paperback]

Adam Smith (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 1, 1991 | Series: Great Minds Series

Political economy had been studied long before Adam Smith. But Wealth of Nations (1776) established it for the first time as a separate science. Smith based his arguments on vast historical knowledge, and developed his principles with remarkable clarity. What set this work apart was its statement of the doctrine of natural liberty. Smith believed that "man's self-interest is God's providence" - that if government abstained from interfering with free competition, the invisible hand of capitalism would emerge from the competing claims of individual self-interest. Industrial problems would be resolved and maximum efficiency reached. After more than two centuries, Smith's work still stands as the best statement and defense of the fundamental principles of capitalism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''(Narrator) Edwards enunciates with unusual clarity, which helps with a book published in 1776.'' --Talking Book Review

''Adam Smith's enormous authority resides, in the end, in the same property that we discover in Marx: not in any ideology, but in an effort to see to the bottom of things.'' --Robert L. Heilbroner, author of The Worldly Philosophers

''The Wealth of Nations is no defender of 'greed is good' economics; the author's humanity and benevolence tint every page.'' --Eamonn Butler, Director of the Adam Smith Institute

''Simply the best book on political economy ever written. It is a genuine 'breakthrough' book whose magisterial scope and synthesis have not been surpassed.'' --Dr. Razeen Sally, senior lecturer, London School of Economics, and codirector of the European Center for Political Economy --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From the Inside Flap

Introduction by D. D. Raphael --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 590 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (December 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879757051
• ISBN-13: 978-0879757052
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (216 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #858,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

423 of 432 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Go with Bantam February 11, 2007

By Amazonian

Format:Mass Market Paperback

If you're wondering which Wealth of Nations to purchase, get the Bantam paperback. This is Smith's complete and unabridged final version of the Wealth of Nations. It provides footnotes on Smith's wording, the historical context, and the differences between Smith's 5th edition and previous editions. In addition, the margin of the pages contain useful notes which summarize Smith's writing. For the price, this is clearly the superior choice.

Now, if you're wondering whether you should undertake such an endeavor, let me just say that Adam Smith was a professor of rhetoric. He explains everything so precisely, yet so comprehensible. Smith's writing is by no means difficult; I actually found it a surprisingly easy read given its antique nature. Once you get through the first chapter, you get quite used to Smith's writing style. If you put adequate time and energy into it, it's not hard at all.

359 of 378 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Watch Out! June 19, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I have no criticism with Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations." My criticism is with the Great Minds Series edition of the book. The Great Minds Series is an abridged version. Huge chunks have been edited out of the book, yet nowhere do they let you know this before making the purchase. I bought this book specifically because I wanted to cite it, and I can't because the parts I wanted to quote have been edited out.

Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations" is a worthy book for any private library, but purchase an edition other than the one offered by the so-called "Great Minds Series."

521 of 555 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars The Great Minds Series version has parts missing! September 26, 1999

By Daniel Krawisz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was origionally reading the text version of this book on the internet until the printed version came. I was downtroden, sickened, and even frightened to find that the Great Minds Series version of The Wealth of Nations is incomplete, yet gives no indication whatsoever of being so.

The introduction and chapters 2, 3, and 4 of book 3 are simply not there. They are not even listed in the table of contents. There is no discrepency in the page numbers, or any other teletale indication that it is incomplete. It is not written anywhere that it is an abrigement.

I want to point out how careless it is and how misleading to the reader in comprehending the philosophy of Adam Smith to print an incomplete book without any warning.