An Empire of Wealth

The Epic History of American Economic Power

By: John Steele Gordon

Narrated by: Bob Souer

Throughout time, from ancient Rome to modern Britain, the great empires built and maintained their domination through force of arms and political power.

But not the United States.

America has dominated the world in a new, peaceful, and pervasive way - through the continued creation of staggering wealth. In this authoritative, engrossing history, John Steele Gordon captures as never before the true source of our nation's global influence: wealth and the capacity to create more of it.

©2004 John Steele Gordon (P)2019 Tantor

Engaging historical review

The authors writing style had me engaged throughout the book and I enjoy Bob Sauers voice.

KNOW YOUR HISTORY!

I learned so much and so much more how current events are mirroring history. I'll reread it to pick up even more insights.

Focused Narrative

As my title indicates, the author stays on target and does not add unnecessary pages providing unrelated content or anecdotes. At face value it’s a chronicle of the economic evolution of the United States.

Informational

There is so much history packed in one book. A lot of information that I sure suddenly not learn in any history class. I truly enjoyed listening and learning new things about our American History. Very valuable information if you would like to understand how the United States became what it is today.

Excellent and balanced economic overview of U.S history

I found this book after reading, and enjoying, the author’s book on the transatlantic cable (Thread Across the Ocean). It was just as good, if not better. He adeptly provides an overview of U.S. history from the colonial period until the turn of the millennium through the lens of economics, and does so without strong biases frequently affecting histories. There are criticisms and praises of presidents and other leaders, but I thought he struck a good balance when many are polarizing. For example, FDR and Reagan are both painted in positive light for their impact on the economy, and he describes the back and forth between industrial tycoons and the labor movement with a balanced hand.

The author also provides a detailed account of the factors influencing the growth (and occasional decline) of American economic power without getting too deep into technical specifics. Nothing would have ruined an audiobook faster than constantly referring to economic graphs that one can’t see.

The book is from 2004 and therefore misses the 2008 recession and housing bubble, currently government spending trends (stimulus after stimulus, expanded social programs, perpetually high defense spending). I wish the author would write another chapter to carry on the narrative. Many of his closing comments would likely be different with 20 additional years of perspective.

Narration was great. The calm and matter-of-fact tone was suited to the subject matter. It was easy to follow without being distracting or adding his own bias.