ananthousflorist's review against another edition
1.0
Were I not so fed up with my econ class, I might have enjoyed this book.
As it stands, I am exceedingly fed up with my econ class, and so reading this book was excruciating.
As it stands, I am exceedingly fed up with my econ class, and so reading this book was excruciating.
justfoxie's review against another edition
5.0
A truly fantastic book - comprehensive, yet not overly long, well reasoned, yet not obscure and highly, highly relevent given the state of the markets today. If you want to start understanding the current financial system, start here. We still have lessons to learn.
Bonus points: we found our copy (from 1956) in the book market in Amsterdam a year ago. The only English book in the stack and in quite good condition, we decided it was meant to be.
Bonus points: we found our copy (from 1956) in the book market in Amsterdam a year ago. The only English book in the stack and in quite good condition, we decided it was meant to be.
adamantium's review against another edition
4.0
The only imperfect thing about this book is that it's too short. I wanted more depth. Galbraith is witty and entertaining; I could have read an entire history of the depression in this vein.
Now unless there's a noted book on the Dutch tulip bubble or the South Seas bubble, I don't know what other economic catastrophe I have to read about this year.
Now unless there's a noted book on the Dutch tulip bubble or the South Seas bubble, I don't know what other economic catastrophe I have to read about this year.
posobin's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know any economics, but I enjoyed this book a lot (and I think understood most of it) and want to learn macroeconomics now. The writing is great, I was laughing every couple pages.
grllopez's review against another edition
3.0
Read for The Well-Educated Mind Histories. My review:
https://www.greatbookstudy.com/2020/09/the-great-crash-1929-by-john-kenneth.html
https://www.greatbookstudy.com/2020/09/the-great-crash-1929-by-john-kenneth.html
llysenw's review against another edition
5.0
It's really delightful to read a book by an author who knows how to use the English language to its fullest.
You'd never expect a book on the Great Crash to be witty, but it is. I can visualize his deadpan delivery as I read it.
But what stands out more than anything else about this book is the eerie parallels between 1929 and now.
He has some wonderful turns of phrase. Some of my favorites:
* If there must be madness something may be said for having it on a heroic scale.
* In 1929 treason had not yet become a casual term of reproach.
* He was also conducting one of the oldest, most important—and, unhappily, one of the least understood—rites in American life. This is the rite of the meeting which is called not to do business but to do no business. It is a rite which is still much practiced in our time.
* The Senate investigations of 1933 and 1934 showed that tax avoidance had brought individuals of the highest respectability into extraordinary financial intercourse with their wives.
* the immediate death not only has the disadvantage of being immediate but of identifying the executioner.
You'd never expect a book on the Great Crash to be witty, but it is. I can visualize his deadpan delivery as I read it.
But what stands out more than anything else about this book is the eerie parallels between 1929 and now.
He has some wonderful turns of phrase. Some of my favorites:
* If there must be madness something may be said for having it on a heroic scale.
* In 1929 treason had not yet become a casual term of reproach.
* He was also conducting one of the oldest, most important—and, unhappily, one of the least understood—rites in American life. This is the rite of the meeting which is called not to do business but to do no business. It is a rite which is still much practiced in our time.
* The Senate investigations of 1933 and 1934 showed that tax avoidance had brought individuals of the highest respectability into extraordinary financial intercourse with their wives.
* the immediate death not only has the disadvantage of being immediate but of identifying the executioner.
emmatdr's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t know much about economics but I loved reading this, it’s hilarious. The man might be a better comedian than an economist but he’s a bloody sharp comedian. Highly readable, highly recommended.
sofialister's review against another edition
so i read it! v intriguing on how it presents this time of intense scrutiny and change within the investments & stock exchange world
no rating bcos who am i to rate this aha
no rating bcos who am i to rate this aha