Harvard Classics Volume 10: Wealth Of Nations, Adam Smith

by Adam Smith

Contents:

1. The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith


Also available:

The Complete Harvard Classics Collection (51 Volumes + The Harvard Classic Shelf Of Fiction)
50 Masterpieces You Have To Read Before You Die (Golden Deer Classics)

Genres: Economics

566 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

For other authors of this name, see Adam Smith.

Adam Smith FRSA FRS FRSE was a Scottish philosopher and economist who was a pioneer in thinking on political economy and a key figure during the Scottish Enlightenment. He wrote two classic works, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776). The latter, often abbreviated as The Wealth of Nations , is considered his magnum opus and the first modern work that treats economics as a comprehensive system and as an academic discipline.

Authorities recorded his baptism on 16 June 1723 at Kirkcaldy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Smith

Reviews

[Pastor Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know of few people who would enjoy this. But I did. Although I admit to breaking this down and reading it over a 20 day period, as I have a good number of these Harvard Classics. But if you are in any way interested in Economics and/or the History of Economics, then this is a MUST read.

You will hear few other works or authors cited as often as Adam Smith when discussions of Economic Theory and Development are going on. And who doesn't love to sit down and talk economics over a cup of coffee?? (That's sarcasm, for those whose sarcasm meter is broken.) Let's drop some quotes (paraphrased, of course) from Friedman, Stein and Smith...

But back to this book... I am committed to as full a comprehension of the books I read as possible. So that means that when it comes to heavy works like this, I get the hard copy (I bought the entire Harvard non-fiction five foot shelf), the Kindle AND if available I also get the audio book version. This allows me to use Whispersync (which is as GLITCHY as can be, but I muscle through). I read and listen and it helps me grasp the content. I recommend that you do the same IF you decide to read this.

What do you get out of this book if you do read it? A comprehensive view of the economic world at the time of the founding of the United States in 1776. An overview of the history (with Smith's own observations, experiences and opinions) of money, the gold standard, insurance, government-established monopolies, tarrifs, bounties, taxes, etc. And much more.

If you have a good grasp of 18th century history in America and Great Britain, you will learn some of the behind-the-scenes influences that explain why things turned out the way they did. You will gain understanding into the case made for a "standing army", the argument for Free Trade (meaning the end of tarrifs, monopolies and bounties on ALL sides and not today's "free trade" set up by Globalists with only American giving away the farm while our competitors rig the game with their tarrifs, unfair labor practices, state-interferences), etc.

Of course, you will gain a better understanding, in CONTEXT, of Smith's most well-known quotation:

"and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention." -- Smith, Adam. The Wealth of Nations (p. 168). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.

[Peter J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent, though very, very long work.