The Making of Modern Economics

The Lives and Ideas of the Great Thinkers, Second Edition

By: Mark Skousen

Narrated by: William Hughes

Here is a bold, new account of the lives and ideas of the great economists - Adam Smith, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, Ludwig von Mises, Milton Friedman, and many others - all written by a top free-market economist and presented in an entertaining and persuasive style. Professor Mark Skousen tells a powerful story of economics with dozens of anecdotes of the great economic thinkers.Download the accompanying reference guide.©2009 Mark Skousen (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Both fascinating and infuriating...enaging, readable, colorful...credulous, disingenuous, and tendentious." ( Foreign Affairs)

Great historical summary..but

Would you consider the audio edition of The Making of Modern Economics to be better than the print version?

No, because the audio version is missing the last chapter of the book. The audiobook abruptly ends before getting to the recent developments in economics, including the behaviorists among others. Very disappointing.

Any additional comments?

Please contact me when the last chapter is available!

review

a comprehensive account that is inherently long and at points lacks "punch"

Makes Economics Fun

You see? It is possible to write about the topic of economics and make it engaging, informative, and fun. Wish I had this book when I was taking my economics classes decades ago. I enjoyed economics in spite of our textbooks. However, a book like this would have inspired far less dedicated students to see how enjoyable the topic can be. This is a wonderful read I highly recommend.

Interesting and informative

Skousen subscribes to the Austrian school of economics, as do I. (Austro-libertarian)

Adam Smith's "wealth of Nations"was written 100 years before the Austrian school was founded by Carl Menger. But, for whatever reason, at least in my studies, Smith is rarely mentioned in the Austrian resources.

Skousen gives a good account of Smith's influence on the future science of economics.

He also gives brief, but good accounts of other important economists and their influence(good and bad).

thorough and entertaining

I am a rare few who is fascinated by economics. it was great as a layperson enjoying the field.