23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism

Title: 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism

Author: Ha-Joon Chang

Publisher: Penguin

Publish date: 2011

ISBN10: 0141047976

Exactly what it says on the packet. Chang examines the free market economy and finds it lacking; mainly in regulation. I enjoyed this book, it was a fun read. (Yes, it is on economics. Don’t stare.) The author has a fun way with anecdotes and examples, a convincing battery of statistics, an unorthodox perspective, and a disarmingly simple, clear style. Perhaps it comes from years of being a professor. Or perhaps years of being a professor comes from these attributes. In any case it’s probably the clearest thing I’ve read since the sign on the glass cabinet for the fire axe that says ‘Break In Case Of Emergency’.

Personally I’d take issue with a few points (yeah that’s right, I’m sure I know better than the author, why not?) but light has been shed for me on some murky question-marks in global economy and for that, one is grateful. Like all the best books, it’s also left a trail of further question-marks, and that counts as A Good Thing.

Sally forth and read. Four hoofs up out of five.