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The Future as History
In one of the most widely hailed books of recent years, Robert L. Heilbroner has set forth a powerful and brilliantly written analysis of the forces at work in the modern world and where they are taking us. Clear, convincing, and comprehensive, Heilbroner's view illuminates every headline-making event of our complex times: the impact of the Bomb, the drift away from capitalism, the challenge of communism, the need for social planning, the wrath of the underdeveloped nations, the possibilities before America. It is must reading for everyone who cares about what is happening to America and to humanity.
- GenresNonfiction
Unbound
Published January 1, 1960
About the author
Robert L. Heilbroner
100 books113 followersRobert L. Heilbroner (March 24, 1919 – January 4, 2005) was an American economist and historian of economic thought. The author of some twenty books, Heilbroner was best known for The Worldly Philosophers, a survey of the lives and contributions of famous economists, notably Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and John Maynard Keynes.
Written in 1953, The Worldly Philosophers has sold nearly four million copies—the second-best-selling economics text of all time. The seventh edition of the book, published in 1999, included a new final chapter entitled "The End of Worldly Philosophy?", which included both a grim view on the current state of economics as well as a hopeful vision for a "reborn worldly philosophy" that incorporated social aspects of capitalism.
Although a highly unconventional economist, who regarded himself as more of a social theorist and "worldly philosopher" (philosopher pre-occupied with "worldly" affairs, such as economic structures), and who tended to integrate the disciplines of history, economics and philosophy, Heilbroner was nevertheless recognized by his peers as a prominent economist. He was elected Vice President of the American Economic Association in 1972.
He also came up with a way of classifying economies, as either Traditional (primarily agriculturally-based, perhaps subsistence economy), Command (centrally planned economy, often involving the state), Market (capitalism), or Mixed.
He was a trustee of the Economists for Peace and Security.
Heilbroner died on January 4, 2005 in New York, NY at the age of 85.
Written in 1953, The Worldly Philosophers has sold nearly four million copies—the second-best-selling economics text of all time. The seventh edition of the book, published in 1999, included a new final chapter entitled "The End of Worldly Philosophy?", which included both a grim view on the current state of economics as well as a hopeful vision for a "reborn worldly philosophy" that incorporated social aspects of capitalism.
Although a highly unconventional economist, who regarded himself as more of a social theorist and "worldly philosopher" (philosopher pre-occupied with "worldly" affairs, such as economic structures), and who tended to integrate the disciplines of history, economics and philosophy, Heilbroner was nevertheless recognized by his peers as a prominent economist. He was elected Vice President of the American Economic Association in 1972.
He also came up with a way of classifying economies, as either Traditional (primarily agriculturally-based, perhaps subsistence economy), Command (centrally planned economy, often involving the state), Market (capitalism), or Mixed.
He was a trustee of the Economists for Peace and Security.
Heilbroner died on January 4, 2005 in New York, NY at the age of 85.
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June 15, 2012
For a book written over 50 years ago, this is amazingly still pertinent. Even if you don't agree with Robert Heilbroner's conclusions, he gives a lot to think about.
August 19, 2020
Middlesex School textbook
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews