Why read The Ordinary Business of Life?

Book cover of The Ordinary Business of Life: A History of Economics from the Ancient World to the Twenty-First Century

Book description

A very clear, reliable and readable history of economic thought from the ancient world to the present day. From Homer to Marx to John Stuart Mill, Backhouse shows how to keep your Keynsians from your post-Keynsians and New Keynsians. A core book.

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Ordinary Business of Life as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Panayotis G. Michaelides

Author

I became well acquainted with Economics after my undergraduate studies, and found this book to be an excellent resource.

It begins with the ancient Greeks and culminates in the modern era. It elaborates upon crucial issues such as money, markets, prices, and production. What sets it apart from others is its focus on the evolution of economic ideas, rather than the economists themselves.

Backhouse's writing style is clear and accessible, and makes even complex concepts understandable. One thing I appreciate is that Backhouse demonstrates that no economic theory emerges "out of nowhere" as is often implied, rather it builds on…

From Panayotis' list on the evolution of economics.