Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Zachary D Carter, The Price of Peace

 


- This is a magnificent book, utterly absorbing. In intricate detail it portrays the life, ideas and legacy of one of the great minds and most influential thinkers of the 20th century. 

- But it's not just about John Maynard Keynes and his breakthrough economic insights. Its scope is much wider. All the major political events of the last 100 years are covered - World War 1 and the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Fascism and Hitler in the 1930's, World War 2 and its aftermath, subsequent political and economic crises across the globe in the latter half of the 20th century, including Vietnam and Iraq, and lots more.

- The ideas and theories of other highly influential economists, some who supported Keynes and some who absolutely abhorred him, are also outlined in detail, such as John Kenneth Galbraith, Friedrich Hayek, Paul Samuelson, Joan Robinson and Milton Friedman. 

- Key politicians in Britain, Europe and the US, and the crises they faced, and how these economists were critically important in framing their policies and decisions, bring the story so much to life. In fact it's riveting.

- Carter has pulled off a major achievement here. He has been able to structure a narrative of theory, politics and biography that reads like a novel. It sucks you in and won't let you go.

- Very highly recommended. 


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