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eevanasp's review against another edition
5.0
I had to read it for my economics class and was reluctant since I don't enjoy economics but I must say I was pleasantly surprised with this book. It doesn't dive deep into economics and the language so it can be read by anyone, meaning it is easily understood and it has interesting examples from today's world. I would and did recommend it to my close friends and family since it does give you another view of the capitalism about which people don't speak much, those who do usually get accused of being against it. Just like the author I don't think criticism means being against it. In the end I liked it a lot :)
tanja_alina_berg's review against another edition
5.0
Finally a book that says it like it is and decimates the neoliberalistic lies we've been touted with one by one. Written in a way that is easily understandable and readable regardless of your earlier insights into economics and the so-called free-market. Learn about how there is no such thing as a free market (thing 1), how companies should not be run in the interest of their owners (thing 2) and 21 other things that will make you understand the world we live in better. Deeply insightful and absolutely lacerating. Should be mandatory reading for politicians. I'm starting to wonder whether they are illiterate, ignorant or simply don't care. It's probably the last.
lottie_cobley's review against another edition
4.0
In general a very enjoyable and informative book and Ha-Joon Chang has made some very well explained criticism of capitalism in light of the 2008 financial crisis that still continue to hold in 2004. The book was also well structured and easy to follow. However, I did feel some of the ideas and concepts were repeated unnecessarily
rosa_goncalves's review against another edition
3.0
I first heard of Ha-Joon Chang at LSE, while studying development economics. What triggered my curiosity was the idea of a economist challenging the main rules of capitalism. Once you read the book you understand that he doesn't criticize capitalism per se, but liberal and unregulated capitalism.
Not revolutionary but may make you uncomfortable at times, but as Ha-Joon Chang remarks: "It is time to get uncomfortable".
Not revolutionary but may make you uncomfortable at times, but as Ha-Joon Chang remarks: "It is time to get uncomfortable".
subedeii's review against another edition
5.0
This was indeed a captivating read. Popular economics, if you wish. Like the author himself puts, "95% of economics is common sense" anyway. The book is generally well structured and the language is moderate, although I suspect that some "things" (as chapters are called therein) would pose some challenge to a reader not educated in economics. The statistical examples are very timely and go just as deep as needed to illustrate the point, without overwhelming the reader.
The axis of the book is the criticism of free-market theory and its distinct claims in many aspects of the economy. There are some surprising points as well as some expected ones (especially if one is already familiar to the author's ideas from other books and writings). I'm sure that opponents (e.g. free-market economists) would find some inaccuracies and misfits throughout, and be rather valid at that. The topic of free market versus regulations is not a new dilemma and for sure nothing to be solved within boundaries of a single book. However, all in all, the points raised and referred are very eye-opening to an "amateur" reader and helpful to understand how the world economy in fact functions and how we have come to the modern realities of world economy.
The axis of the book is the criticism of free-market theory and its distinct claims in many aspects of the economy. There are some surprising points as well as some expected ones (especially if one is already familiar to the author's ideas from other books and writings). I'm sure that opponents (e.g. free-market economists) would find some inaccuracies and misfits throughout, and be rather valid at that. The topic of free market versus regulations is not a new dilemma and for sure nothing to be solved within boundaries of a single book. However, all in all, the points raised and referred are very eye-opening to an "amateur" reader and helpful to understand how the world economy in fact functions and how we have come to the modern realities of world economy.