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Price Of Everything: A Parable Of Possibility And Prosperity (2008)

by Russell Roberts(Favorite Author)
3.64 of 5 Votes: 2
ISBN
1282157264 (ISBN13: 9781282157262)
languge
English
genre
publisher
Princeton University Press
review 1: What category should this fall under? I picked this off of a list of "Libertarian Fiction" although it is only Libertarian so as free markets are concerned. Of the four tenants of Libertarianism; Don't hurt people, Don't take their stuff, Be responsible, and Mind your own business this really only approaches the 'Mind your own business' aspect.This story is a primmer on Austrian Economics. It uses a conversational lecture style to convey many fundamental ideas about pricing and markets. I have read in other reviews negative disclaimers about the economic views portrayed here citing the recent economic events as proof. Most anyone who has really look at the events of recent history can see that the "Invisible Hand" of the market doesn't really apply when the jack-boot ... moreof government is on its neck. It is exactly the recent events that PROVE the elements of this parable.The characters are thin and just a prop mostly for delivering the lectures. It does do a nice job of explaining some complex ideas in an easy to understand format.
review 2: Roberts communicates important lessons on emergent order in economics via a fictional account of a professor and student at Stanford. Speaking through Ruth, the professor, he gets across the importance of prices and shows that a system allowing the dreams of all citizens to coexist produces a society with unequaled opportunity. My favorite quote: "But economics is not about prices and money. Economics is about how to get the most out of life." -Thanks for the book Prof. Roberts! less
Reviews (see all)
Letish23
A neat little story that highlights the remarkable emergent order seen in a market economy.
Ligia
Great book that captures Adam Smith's invisible hand in a short and memorable story.
tomisanc
Go capitalism. Now learn to write a real novel.
lolipop
Prompted me to reread Hayek and Von Mises.
marina
Have to read for my Econ class... hmm...
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