Little History of Economics

Niall Kishtainy, former economic policy advisor to the UK government and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, is guest teacher, department of economic history, London School of Economics, and author of The Economics Book and Economics in Minutes. He lives in London.

“Economic theories count among the principal ideas that defined the modern world, yet the origins of the market forces that govern our lives can all too often seem distant and opaque. Enter Niall Kishtainy, who in A Little History of Economics has condensed 2000 years of thought down to 250 highly readable pages. . . . A whistle-stop introduction to the great works and thinkers of each age, this is a clear and accessible primer.”—Laura Garmeson, Financial Times“A pleasurable and easy way to become familiar with important economic ideas such as comparative advantage, unemployment, aggregate demand, inflation, and income inequality.”—Foreign Affairs“It may leave some people cold, but economic history doesn’t need to be dull. This book aptly demonstrates why: it takes in big historical events, from the invention of money to the Great Depression, mixes in world-famous figures, and produces a sprightly, fast-paced account that’s not afraid to tackle the big questions.”—History Revealed“Attracts the reader’s attention from the very beginning. Niall Kishtainy writes with accessible language, dealing with his subject with great simplicity, with daily examples that make reading even more enjoyable. The reader cannot be bored.”—Maurizio Lanfranchi, Journal of Environmental Studies“A great introduction to economics for beginners. This book is punchy and fun, and yet thorough in explaining what economists have contributed to our understanding of the world.”—Robert Shiller, Nobel Laureate in Economics“Those who refuse to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Economics can help guide policy in a sensible direction; but the misuse of economics has also left individuals, companies, and countries in ruin. To understand what economics has got right—and to avoid repeating its mistakes—read this book.”—Simon Johnson, professor at MIT Sloan and author of 13 Bankers“A deft, highly readable history of economics, full of humanity. You’ll learn a lot—I did.”—Tim Harford, author of Messy and The Undercover Economist“This book is an intellectual treasure trove for anyone interested in history, big ideas, and the role that economic thinking has played in both for more than 2000 years.”—Charles Wheelan, author of Naked Economics“Many people wish they knew more about economic ideas—but not enough, apparently, to endure the discomfort they imagine that reading about them would entail. Niall Kishtainy’s A Little History of Economics solves their problem: its brief, charming vignettes read effortlessly, yet faithfully capture the deep insights that have so profoundly transformed how we think about our world.”—Robert H. Frank, author of The Economic Naturalist