Zachary D. Carter

I never intentionally read a book I expect to dislike or expect to be substandard in any way. At the same time, I don't expect a book to be even better than I have been led to believe it may be. This was such a book. It is still resonating with me. The book is essentially both a biography of the economist, John Maynard Keynes, and also an analysis of his economic thinking and how it developed as well as how it got repackaged by those that followed him, particularly as it applies to John Kenneth Galbraith. Indeed, it might be argued that this is both about Keynes and Galbraith, despite the title. The word craft used by the author is exemplary for general phrasing and the like, but the writing also skillfully blends together the personal life with the economic theory of its main subject, and it takes multiple economic theories and explains them in the clear ways I expect only from the most engaging of college professors. I minored in Economics in college, so I likely have more familiarity than the average reader with the book's subject. (My wife, who has more formal education than I, didn't even know who John Maynard Keynes was. I did not ask her if she knew who John Kenneth Galbraith was.) With that in mind, I do not know if the average reader will find this book as thoroughly captivating as I did. The author clearly had an affinity for his subject, readily willing and able to discuss a myriad of pros and cons. I would say I would be eager to read another book by him, but I doubt he has the same affinity for another subject to the same degree. For those reading this who doubt this book could draw them in, if I pointed out that John Maynard Keynes was a close friend of Virginia Woolf, among many others, would that wet your fiction-book predisposition to at least check the book out to see how you like it?… (mere)

Excellent. Very long, starts with Keynes and Bloomsbury Group, through the forming of his philosophy and career, both world wars, and the aftermath, the fake fall of Keynesian economics which never happened (instead we have Keynes Econ for the rich folks the poor neo liberalism). Fascinating. Joan Robinson was a joy to read about: one of the most accomplished economists ever. Her radical commitment to Keynes and ALL her stuff which was a sort of radical optimism in the power of education and fine arts to lift people up and create real and lasting equity is inspiring. It seems hopeless of course, but all we have is the future. In the long run, as Keynes said, we are all dead. Might as well aspire to greatness in the short term.… (mere)