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An Empire of Wealth: The Epic History of American Economic Power (平装)
by John Steele Gordon
| Category:
History |
| Market price: ¥ 168.00
MSL price:
¥ 158.00
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| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
A financial historian Gordon tells the story of America's dynamic power, which is tied to its entrepreneurial culture and immense economic wealth. |
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AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 8 items |
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Strong (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-08 00:00>
What a great effort by John Steele Gordon. Empire of Wealth covers the history of the economy of the United States from Jamestown through today and does so in an insight-filled, page-turning manner. Even as a fairly avid reader of economics and history, I found myself learning something about why our country is the way it is on almost every page in this book.
A great story of people, culture, technology, money, and a country - this book truly deserves its high rating. |
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Richard (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-08 00:00>
This has got to be one of the best history books that I have read. The book chronicles the start of the United States and the inovations and trials that made the nation great. I particularly enjoyed how it intertwined the innovations with information on the thoughts of politicians, businesmen, and others of the era, and how events such as slavery impacted the economics of the time.
This was a very well written book. I initially picked it up from the library, and then purchased a copy to add to my library. |
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-08 00:00>
From Jamestown to the Silicone Valley, Gordon gives us a delightful economic history of America. This is not a book for those looking for a critique of capitalism.
Gordon deftly takes a complex subject and makes it an easily understood account of how the USA has genrated more wealth than any other nation on the planet.
Gordon is an un-abashed and un-apologetic cheerleader of American-style capitalism, and he makes his case with this book. This is how history should be written: clear, fast-paced, and absorbing. Anyone interested in why the USA is the world's economic leader should read this.
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Duquaine (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-08 00:00>
This book was required reading for my Business History class. I bought this book expecting boring text that I would probably not even read, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a very informative and enjoyable book. You can learn much about not only the history of American economy, but about American history as a whole. The best part is that you will enjoy the reading, which I found to be page turning. Not many historical books can be put in that category. Reading this book is a must! |
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Shawn (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-08 00:00>
An Empire of Wealth - The Epic History of American Economic Power, by John Steele Gordon, is a marvelous one volume narrative on the economic history of the United States. While Gordon's work is clearly not ground breaking in terms of research, he synthesizes four hundred years of progress into a very readable and even entertaining book. Writing anything on this topic in such a fashion is clearly a challenge and one the author certainly aces.
Gordon writes about the root causes and pivotal events, inventions and American ingenuity that propelled the economy upward. He also handles the precipitants of economic downturns and depressions very concisely. His ability to put into context many statistics is something that more academic writers could learn from. The book is loaded with "gems". Include are: "Considered as a `public work,' the GI Bill proved to be the Erie Canal of the new, postindustrial economy that was then, quite unrecognized, coming into being". On capitalism and industry (with specific regard to Standard Oil), "Monopolies, like everyone else, want to maximize their profits, not their prices. Lower prices, which increase demand, and increased efficiency, which cuts costs, is usually the best way to achieve the highest possible profits". Gordon also handles the political aspects of all periods very well with valid criticisms of Jefferson and Jackson and insightful writing on Hoover, Roosevelt and Reagan. While he is obviously a free market thinker it does not cloud his reasoning about the need for a central bank, missing after Jackson disbanded the Bank of the United States. He also notes Keynes "General Theory" and the role for government spending in a depressed economy.
The reader is given a bibliography of some great books about American history that, while largely not academic in nature, are intellectually stimulating and allow for further reading on a topic that perhaps was covered in this book in less detail than might have been desired. This is a very well written and fascinating read. If a reader has any interest at all in this topic, it is very much a must read. |
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-08 00:00>
I found this book to be extremely interesting. It covers the history of the US's economy from early colonial times right up through the current day. The book is written in an informative yet entertaining way, not like a dry college text book. If you're looking for a good book that explains how the US was built, then get this book. |
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Curious (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-08 00:00>
If you are hungry for understanding history, this is a book for you. The information included ranges from the construction of the first cotton gin, to the origin of our current time zones. It is written in a concise, informative manner that peaks your interest with each chapter. If textbooks in school were available with this type of information, our youth would be in a much better position to understand our history, and perhaps be more successful in their endeavors. I highly recommend this book to any student of history. |
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Frank (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-08 00:00>
As a student of both history and economics, I find the analysis and writing to be simplistic and dry, at times. It appeared to me that this book is writen at a very basic level, without fundamental analysis. Although I consider myself a libertarian I found Howard Zinn's liberal account of American History and progress (although not a text based on economics)to be much more engaging and enjoyable. |
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1 Total 1 pages 8 items |
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