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extragravy's review against another edition
3.0
Ray Dalio and his team have put together a framework to measure where nations are in their life cycles; metrics for risks, strength, weaknesses, etc. that can help provide insight into national dynamics. He presents a useful framework and set of metrics that can guide and inform decisions and help gauge risk and potential upcoming changes. In all these ways it was a 4 or 5 star effort - he achieved what he set out to do. I rated this 3 stars though, because I won't read it again (although I will look at updates to his published PDF with national status metrics and commentary which is great), and I only feel moderately enabled to measure my risk and inform my decisions using his tools.
My favorite part is listening to him work through and solve problems, I'll likely read his next book just to spend some more time with him.
My favorite part is listening to him work through and solve problems, I'll likely read his next book just to spend some more time with him.
jameshendrickson's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! This book is amazing in the wholistic approach to the world that it takes.
Everyone should read this to get a glimpse of the long game of history.
This is THE book to read to get started in really understanding the world. There are lots of history books and lots of economics books and very few cover a fully macro view of the world and none that I’ve found cover the convergence of the two let alone from someone who has helped to shape the last 50 years of both.
I don’t see the flaws that other reviewers have pointed out (like the end of the gold standard in the US…you can point to a few different ends under a few different Presidents and Dalio even points this out). Even if there are errors the larger themes of the book is incredibly important.
This is far better than his first book, which was very good. For those that are chronological readers there is glory in starting with Dalio’s second book.
Everyone should read this to get a glimpse of the long game of history.
This is THE book to read to get started in really understanding the world. There are lots of history books and lots of economics books and very few cover a fully macro view of the world and none that I’ve found cover the convergence of the two let alone from someone who has helped to shape the last 50 years of both.
I don’t see the flaws that other reviewers have pointed out (like the end of the gold standard in the US…you can point to a few different ends under a few different Presidents and Dalio even points this out). Even if there are errors the larger themes of the book is incredibly important.
This is far better than his first book, which was very good. For those that are chronological readers there is glory in starting with Dalio’s second book.
jorisvanmens's review against another edition
5.0
This book outlines the rise and fall of empires in the last 500 years, primarily various Chinese empires, the Dutch, English, US and modern Europe. It judges where in their life cycle empires / nations are by looking at factors relating to the economy, innovation, debt & currency systems, civil disorder and wars of various kinds (trade wars, capital wars, military wars, etc.) It argues that all empires go through roughly the same arc: starting with a new world order, a new leading empire experiences peace and rapid progress, a stable currency used globally and low debt. It ends in a situation of over-indebtedness and strife of many kinds, at which point a new empire takes over (generally violently) and a new world order is established.
The book argues that the US, the current dominant "empire", is in its late stages, with China on the brink of becoming the new largest global power. It points to signals such as US debt, US civil unrest and political disorder, US trade wars with China, etc. though (on the upside) also still a strong US economy, military, dollar reserve currency, educated population and technological excellence. However with China improving rapidly in almost all dimensions (excluding perhaps reserve currency status of the renminbi), it is set to take over in the next decade or so.
I very much enjoyed how the book gives structure (numerical - lots of graphs!) to such a complex topic, providing a great analytical glimpse into the history of empires and what it means for our current geopolitical situation. The book is surprisingly kind on China (perhaps to allow Ray Dalio to do business there), I'd say to a fault, but it makes for a refreshing, provocative view.
The book argues that the US, the current dominant "empire", is in its late stages, with China on the brink of becoming the new largest global power. It points to signals such as US debt, US civil unrest and political disorder, US trade wars with China, etc. though (on the upside) also still a strong US economy, military, dollar reserve currency, educated population and technological excellence. However with China improving rapidly in almost all dimensions (excluding perhaps reserve currency status of the renminbi), it is set to take over in the next decade or so.
I very much enjoyed how the book gives structure (numerical - lots of graphs!) to such a complex topic, providing a great analytical glimpse into the history of empires and what it means for our current geopolitical situation. The book is surprisingly kind on China (perhaps to allow Ray Dalio to do business there), I'd say to a fault, but it makes for a refreshing, provocative view.
larsankile's review against another edition
4.0
Good book, fantastically well researched, and insightful insights. For me, though, it could’ve been written more concisely and more structured, as it feels quite repetitive at times and also jumps around a bit.
ethangza's review against another edition
3.0
The first part is excellent and worth the price of admission alone. It does drag towards the end, and I have to say his dissection of China lacks quite a bit of nuance. But overall I would recommend.
raleevers's review
informative
slow-paced
4.0
There are up to date pdfs detailing countries relative status for free on his website: https://www.economicprinciples.org.
If you've read his material and you are curious, I'd recommend against (only) the audio version. There are hundreds graphs and it quickly gets confusing which one the author is trying to detail.
If you've read his material and you are curious, I'd recommend against (only) the audio version. There are hundreds graphs and it quickly gets confusing which one the author is trying to detail.