lordcheez's review against another edition
4.0
Witty and clever, shows PJ’s sense of humor well, but limits the comedy. Actually a good summary of the Wealth of Nations.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
2.0
After moving from Houston to Tyler, I finally got a new public library card. While I was browsing around, I came across this book in a small display the library had on books about current affairs. I have read O'Rourke's books in the past; I enjoyed his Parliament of Whores very much, so I figured this might be a good bet. If nothing else, it would be a nice way to get exposure to Adam Smith's big book with some sense of humor thrown in. We'll see how it goes.
* * * *
Well, now that I finished reading it, I was not too impressed. On the one hand, it does give a decent overview of Smith's work. On the other hand, the book is mostly a way for O'Rourke to expose his conservative and capitalist views. Smith was by no means perfect, so to speak, so in a way, O'Rourke is doing a bit of a PR job. There is some humor throughout the book, but if you want to get an example of O'Rourke's humor, this book is really not it. Having said that, if you have not read Smith's work, and you likely won't, this is a pretty easy way to get an idea of the book's content and significance. The last chapter has a nice biographical note of Smith that puts the book in context.
* * * *
Well, now that I finished reading it, I was not too impressed. On the one hand, it does give a decent overview of Smith's work. On the other hand, the book is mostly a way for O'Rourke to expose his conservative and capitalist views. Smith was by no means perfect, so to speak, so in a way, O'Rourke is doing a bit of a PR job. There is some humor throughout the book, but if you want to get an example of O'Rourke's humor, this book is really not it. Having said that, if you have not read Smith's work, and you likely won't, this is a pretty easy way to get an idea of the book's content and significance. The last chapter has a nice biographical note of Smith that puts the book in context.
tornadical's review against another edition
4.0
To quote Tom Townsend in Metropolitan, "I don't read novels. I prefer good literary criticism. That way you get both the novelists' ideas as well as the critics' thinking."
I am not a fan of economics; especially economic writings. I will never read Adam Smith. P.J. O'Rourke gives me the ability to somewhat grasp some of Smith's ideas, and he does it in a humorous not too condescending way.
I am not a fan of economics; especially economic writings. I will never read Adam Smith. P.J. O'Rourke gives me the ability to somewhat grasp some of Smith's ideas, and he does it in a humorous not too condescending way.
valkyriejmu's review against another edition
1.0
I think this was the moment where I realized I just didn't have the tolerance for P.J. that I once did.
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