The Wealth of Nations: Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations

Though it was writeen over 2 centuries ago this edition makes perfect sence of the text without changing it, it's almost 200 pages of footnotes provide innumerate refrences to interesting asspects of history and sociaology meaning that that you never have to go and look things up anywhere else, whilst the decision to mix smits own spellings and spellings and inconsistancies with a more modern english gives the book an atmosphere when reading it of what the authour really meant.

It's use today is primerilly one of historical importance, his analesis of tax collection for example bares hardly any relation to modern tax systems, or at least those in the weastern world, but wht it does do is represent a model of the world on which it is very easy to hang modern principles and situations, havingt read this book you realise just how integrated things can be, and how things have evolved.

Smith explains all this in wonderful deatail with many examples and explanations which mean that though his ideas may seem confusing the dedicated reader should not get to confused, and at the end I was very much left with the impression that it had all been worth it.

a real gem


Money comes second:Smith was a enlightened moral philosopher   August 5, 2000
angus.skinner@blueyonder.co.uk (UK)
11 out of 29 found this review helpful

Adam Smith (Professor of Moral Philosophy at Glasgow) had previously written 'The Moral Theory of Sentiments' and had probably intended to write a third (spiritual) overarching work. He died. The accute analyses he finished have flaws as well as much merit. His works are in the first division of merit. To consider him only as an economist (he was the first) is to think of life partially. Wealth of Nations (hasn't Porter essentially copied the economics) is a broader attempt to understand the relationships between money and people.

I come here by accident, but don't many

Angus


Oh, How much we owe Smith!   July 20, 1999
20 out of 28 found this review helpful

I must take exception to the Amazon review: saying that Smith viewed Capitalism suspiciously is utterly untenable. From the very first chapter, Smith makes clear the genius of markets, the benefits of the division of labor, and how government intrusion upon "perfect liberty" creates economic inefficiencies. As the Industrial Revolution was in its infancy, Smith keenly perceived the theoretical framework for its future development: property rights, markets, free trade, and government non-intervention. These institutions allowed for unprecedented economic growth (there was more economic growth in the 19th century than in the preceeding 4000 years) and thus the sustainability of modern life. We cannot express enough gratitude to Dr. Smith.


The Great Work of a Great Mind.   June 10, 1999
23 out of 33 found this review helpful

Although this book is hailed as one of the greatest works in Economics ever and set the foundations for contemporary Economic thought, the Wealth of Nations is not a good read. It is extremely difficult to digest and requires extreme concentration. Few would read the book unless required in an Economics course or the like. Smith was undoubtedly a genius - way ahead of his time. However, the reader must have as great an intellect to fully comprehend what Smith is writing. Perhaps "user-friendly" books were not the fashion of the times.


foundation of capitalism with a flaw   May 26, 1999
7 out of 28 found this review helpful

This master reference book sure laid the foundations for capitalistic theory and politics, but one element is not demonstrated or rather its demonstration has since proved untrue. A.Smith says the welfare of a nation brings the happiness of its individuals, and it does NOT.