The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith
The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith
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The Wealth of Nations

Author: Adam Smith

Narrator: Peter Wickham

Abridged: 40 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/13/2020

Synopsis

It was Adam Smith (1723-1790) who first established economics as a separate branch of knowledge, and many would say his work has never been surpassed. The Wealth of Nations, which appeared in 1776, is the definitive text for all who believe that economic decisions are best left to markets, not governments. At the heart of Smith's doctrine is an optimistic view of the effects of self-interest. Though each individual seeks only personal gain, the collective result is increased prosperity, which benefits society as a whole.

About Adam Smith

Adam Smith (1723-1790) was a Scottish philosopher who is best known for his book The Wealth of Nations, which had a profound influence on modern economics and concepts of individual freedom. He was a professor of logic at Glasgow University, as well as the chair of moral philosophy. His lectures covered the field of ethics, rhetoric, jurisprudence, and political economy. In 1759, he published his Theory of Moral Sentiments, which embodies some of his Glasgow lectures. In 1776, he published The Wealth of Nations, which covered such concepts as the role of self-interest, the division of labor, the function of markets, and the international implications of a laissez-faire economy. Smith is most often recognized for the expression "the invisible hand," which he used to demonstrate how self-interest guides the most efficient use of resources in a nation's economy, with public welfare coming as a by-product.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jon on October 11, 2024

One of the hardest books I have ever read - I feel overwhelmed as far as the concepts - so I will just make a general comment: If you want to understand the foundational concepts of economic policy and have the perspective of a true genius then this book is for you. It is SCARY how many situations A......more

Goodreads review by Erik on January 14, 2015

A prideful and ambitious boy, hearing that President Kennedy had been a speed reader, I cut lawns and shovelled walks to pay for an Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics program. We met in the spare basement of the hideous modern structure that passed for Park Ridge's "Inn"--a residence primarily for attenda......more

Goodreads review by Saadia on June 02, 2021

Oh this book was such a tiresome read that I finished 4 other books before completing this one. Started to take toll on me with so much unnecessary explanations which made no sense. Sometimes cringe worthy! Adam Smith was one of the few individuals who wanted the economic cycle to run itself. Hence......more

Goodreads review by Amit on August 01, 2018

An erudite who not only changed the shape of economics thinking but also laid the foundation of capitalism and industrialization. The book by him can be regarded as The Bible of economics.......more

Goodreads review by Patrick on September 06, 2024

2013 One of the best and most important books ever written. Period. Smith made a few mistakes, but he was a pioneer and what he did for the world with this book and his other book, Theory of Moral Sentiments, are incomparable gifts to mankind. His opening analysis of "division of labor" as being the c......more

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