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Reading Room
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Book reviews

Cogs and Monsters

what economics is, and what it should be

Reviewer: Matt Whittaker, CEO, Pro Bono Economics

Digital technology, big data, big tech, machine learning, and AI are revolutionizing both the tools of economics and the phenomena it seeks to measure, understand, and shape. In Cogs and Monsters, Diane Coyle explores the enormous problems—but also opportunities—facing economics today if it is to respond effectively to these dizzying changes and help policymakers solve the world’s crises, from pandemic recovery and inequality to slow growth and the climate emergency.

The Spirit of Green

the economics of collisions and contagions in a crowded world

Reviewer: Keith Wade, Chief Economist, Schroders

The Spirit of Green by Nobel laureate William Nordhaus offers a primer on the economics of the environment and some key steps to limit global warming.

Adapting to Climate Change

Markets and the Management of an Uncertain Future

Reviewer: Kevin Gardiner, Rothschild & Co/Cardiff Region Econ Growth Partnership

This book considers how individual economic choices in response to climate change will transform the larger economy.

The Magic Money Tree

and Other Economic Tales

Reviewer: Bridget Rosewell

Lorenzo Forni examines the tension between economics and politics and considers why so many mistakes in economic policy-making are made for political reasons.

Trade Wars are Class Wars

Reviewer: Ian Bright

A provocative look at how today’s trade conflicts are caused by governments promoting the interests of elites at the expense of workers.

The Myth of Chinese Capitalism

Reviewer: Andrew Peaple

In The Myth of Chinese Capitalism, Roberts explores the reality behind today’s financially-ascendant China and pulls the curtain back on how the Chinese manufacturing machine is actually powered.

Stolen Heritage:

The Strange Death of Industrial England

Reviewer: Kevin Gardiner, Rothschild & Co/Cardiff Capital Region Economicn Growth Partnership

Britain was the cradle of the industrial revolution. Its manufacturing prowess sustained a unique global standing in the nineteenth century, bore it to victory in the great wars of the twentieth, was a trusty servant of its domestic needs and imperial pretensions, and an enduring source of pride. Quite suddenly, this pre-eminence has vanished. Only yesterday an industrial giant, the UK is heading for the third division.

The Power of Creative Destruction:

Economic Upheaval and the Wealth of Nations

Reviewer: Bridget Rosewell

From one of the world's leading economists and his coauthors, a cutting-edge analysis of what drives economic growth and a blueprint for prosperity under capitalism.

How Boards Work:

and how they can work better in a chaotic world

Reviewer: Dame Kate Barker, NED, Man Group plc

In How Boards Work prizewinning economist, veteran board director, and bestselling author Dambisa Moyo offers an insider's view of corporate boards as they are buffeted by the turbulence of our times

Austerity: When is it a mistake and when is it necessary?

Reviewer: William Allen, NIESR

For anyone seeking answers to such questions as: "What can we learn from the UK’s economic history that is relevant to current policy?", "Is austerity ever necessary or desirable?" and "Can the harmful effects of austerity programmes be mitigated?" then this book will be welcome reading.

Combating Inequality:

Rethinking Government’s Role

Reviewer: Christine Shields

Leading economists and policymakers consider what economic tools are most effective in reversing the rise in inequality.

Profit and Prejudice:

The Luddites of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Reviewer: Vicky Pryce

Profit and Prejudice takes us through the relationship between economic success and prejudice in labour markets.

Prosperity:

Better Business Makes the Greater Good

Reviewer: Richard Bronk, https://imaginationineconomics.com/

What is business for? Day one of a business course will tell you: it is to maximise shareholder profit. This single idea pervades all our thinking and teaching about business around the world but it is fundamentally wrong, Colin Mayer argues. It has had disastrous and damaging consequences for our economies, environment, politics, and societies.

This Sovereign Isle

Britain In and Out of Europe

Reviewer: Kevin Gardiner, Rothschild & Co/Cardiff Capital Region Economic Growth Partners

In this succinct book, Tombs shows that the decision to leave the EU is historically explicable - though not made historically inevitable - by Britain's very different historical experience, especially in the twentieth century, and because of our more extensive and deeper ties outside Europe.

The Great British Reboot

How the UK Can Thrive in a Turbulent World

Reviewer: Christine Shields

An optimistic exploration of how, through radical economic reform, the United Kingdom can prosper and flourish in the new global economy.

Capital Wars

The Rise of Global Liquidity

Reviewer: Melissa Davies, Redburn

Global Liquidity is a much-discussed, but narrowly-researched and vaguely-defined topic. This book deeply explores the subject by clearly defining and measuring liquidity worldwide and by showing its importance for investors.

Angrynomics

Reviewer: Ian Bright

In Angrynomics, Mark Blyth and Eric Lonergan explore the rising tide of anger, sometimes righteous and useful, sometimes destructive and ill-targeted, and propose radical new solutions for an increasingly polarized and confusing world.

Outside The Box

Reviewer: Ian Harwood

From the acclaimed author of The Box, a new history of globalization that shows us how to navigate its future.

The Great Demographic Reversal

Reviewer: Dame Kate Barker, British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme

This book demonstrates how these demographic trends are on the point of reversing sharply, coinciding with a retreat from globalisation. The result? Ageing can be expected to raise inflation and interest rates, bringing a slew of problems for an over-indebted world economy, but is also anticipated to increase the share of labour, so that inequality falls.

The Cost of Free Money

Reviewer: Vicky Pryce

A penetrating account of how unchecked capital mobility is damaging international cooperation, polarizing the economic landscape, and ultimately reshaping the global order.

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Articles reflect the authors’ views which are not necessarily shared by the Society or the Editor. The Editor welcomes comments, ideas and articles on a wide range of applied economics topics and related issues of more general interest.

For Books and Reviews contact:
Ian Harwood
Book Reviews Editor, The Society of Professional Economists
harwoodfive@btinternet.com

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