Meet New Books

Books Like...

'Capital in the Twenty-First Century' by Thomas Piketty delves into the concept that wealth capital, rather than income, drives growing inequality, leading to an oligarchic society where the wealthy dictate terms to the less fortunate. Piketty provides a wealth of data on income and wealth disparities, mainly in Western countries, demonstrating a trend of increasing inequality over the years with dire social and political consequences. Through historical perspectives on inflation, capital accumulation, and taxation, Piketty argues for structural changes like a progressive capital tax to combat the rising wealth concentration among the privileged few.

If you liked Capital in the Twenty-First Century, here are the top 92 books to read next:

Page 1
Showing 1 - 10 of 92 
  1. #1

    Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman
    Save:

    "Capitalism and Freedom" by Milton Friedman, first written in 1962, is a thought-provoking exploration of economic capitalism in a liberal society. Friedman discusses the importance of freedom, the individual's role in society, decentralized government, and voluntary cooperation in a business environment. He presents arguments on various topics such as government intervention, the control of money, international trade, licensing, social welfare, and poverty, highlighting the ineffectiveness of typical government measures. contains historical examples and observations, emphasizing the value of freedom for individuals to prosper and achieve better outcomes.

    IN MY PREFACE TO THE 1982 edition of this book, I documented a dramatic shift in the climate of opinion, manifested in the difference between the way this book was treated when it was first published ...

  2. #2

    Human Action: A Treatise on Economics by Ludwig von Mises
    Save:

    'Human Action: A Treatise on Economics' by Ludwig von Mises is a comprehensive and detailed study on free market economics. It is considered a weighty material that delves into the minute details of Austrian Economics, showcasing the viewpoints and teachings of one of the greatest economists in history. The writing style is described as readable yet dense, requiring careful attention to grasp the concepts presented. is recognized as a classic in the field of modern economics, providing a systematic analysis of various economic topics and serving as a strong critique of socialism and statism.

    HUMAN action is purposeful behavior. Or we may say: Action is will put into operation and transformed into an agency, is aiming at ends and goals, is the ego's meaningful response to stimuli and to th...

  3. #3

    The Worldly Philosophers by Robert L. Heilbroner
    Save:

    'The Worldly Philosophers' by Robert L. Heilbroner is a fascinating introduction to the history of economic thought, covering key economic thinkers such as Adam Smith, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, and Joseph Schumpeter. It provides a rich set of models for thinking about how society produces and distributes wealth, while also delving into the personal lives and eccentric views of these great economic minds. is engagingly written, covers economic theories without skimping on quirky biographical details, and places these ideas within a larger historical context. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of economics with social concerns, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in economics.

    Since he came down from the trees, man has faced the problem of survival, not as an individual but as a member of a social group. His continued existence is testimony to the fact that he has succeeded...

  4. "Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy" by Thomas Sowell is a dense book that serves as an excellent primer for understanding economic principles. The author presents the fundamentals of economics in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible even for readers with no prior background in the subject. Sowell uses real-life examples to illustrate economic concepts, aiming to educate the general public on how economic systems work, including capitalism, socialism, and communism. Despite the lack of charts and graphs, readers find the book insightful and eye-opening, with many appreciating Sowell's ability to explain complex topics in a simple and engaging way.

    The book delves into various economic topics, such as the functioning of free markets, the impact of different economic systems on society, and the role of government in the economy. Sowell's writing style is described as pithy, smart, and unbiased, providing a comprehensive overview of modern economics for the layperson. Readers commend the book for its ability to challenge preconceived notions and offer a different perspective on economic issues, making it a valuable read for anyone seeking to expand their understanding of how the economy operates.

    Whether one is a conservative or a radical, a protectionist or a free trader, a cosmopolitan or a nationalist, a churchman or a heathen, it is useful to know the causes and consequences of economic ph...

  5. #5

    The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich A. Hayek
    Save:

    The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich A. Hayek is a profound defense of commercial society and limited government. Hayek argues that socialism and planning eventually lead to totalitarianism, emphasizing the importance of individual liberty for economic growth and opportunities. The book explores the consequences of socialism on hard work and free markets, drawing parallels between socialism and fascism. Hayek's writing style is characterized as non-technical and easy to read, although some opinions mention that the argument emerges slowly with repeated points made throughout the book.

    When the course of civilization takes an unexpected turn—when, instead of the continuous progress which we have come to expect, we find ourselves threatened by evils associated by us with past ages of...

  6. #6

    Das Kapital by Karl Marx
    Save:

    'Das Kapital' by Karl Marx is a detailed and scathing critique of capitalism, focusing on the lived experiences of workers, poverty, and the degradation of laborers. Marx's work is described as an essential starting point to understand the radical changes in the world prior to the 20th century. Despite its flaws and gaps, the book presents challenging and interesting ideas, predicting crises and highlighting the inherent conflict of interest between employees and employers in a capitalist society.


  7. 'The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World' by Niall Ferguson is a detailed exploration of the history of finance, covering various financial events and crises throughout Western history. The book delves into the origins of financial institutions, the development of bonds, stocks, insurance, and modern investment methods, providing a valuable perspective on historical events. Ferguson's writing style aims to make complex financial concepts understandable for the general reader, although some readers found the book to be more focused on banking, events, and money transactions in the 1900s and early 2000s, particularly in the USA.

    Ferguson's narrative weaves together the evolution of money and financial instruments from ancient times to the present day, highlighting the interconnectedness between financial decisions and major world events. The book touches on topics such as the role of imperialism in foreign investment, the benefits of well-operating financial markets, and the repetitive nature of financial mistakes throughout history. While some readers appreciated the historical insights and educational value of the book, others found it to be too focused on recent financial events and lacking a central thesis or comprehensive analysis.

    Imagine a world with no money. For over a hundred years, Communists and anarchists - not to mention some extreme reactionaries, religious fundamentalists and hippies - have dreamt of just that. Accord...

  8. #8

    Economic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell
    Save:

    'Economic Facts and Fallacies' by Thomas Sowell is a comprehensive analysis that debunks myths surrounding labor, finance, gender, and race. Sowell skillfully dissects erroneous assumptions that have become deeply ingrained in society, offering a clear and methodical examination of these complex economic issues. Through a conservative lens, Sowell challenges widely-held beliefs and provides a thought-provoking exploration of topics such as rent control, gender pay disparities, racial economic differences, and affirmative action.

    The book delves into the intricacies of economic drivers, shedding light on the real impact of political decisions and societal misconceptions. Sowell's writing style is scholarly yet accessible, presenting a wealth of information in a clear and concise manner. By addressing fallacies such as the zero sum fallacy and the fallacy of composition, Sowell lays the groundwork for a deeper understanding of economic principles and challenges readers to rethink their perspectives on key issues.

    Fallacies are not simply crazy ideas. They are usually both plausible and logical—but with something missing. Their plausibility gains them political support. Only after that political support is stro...

  9. 'The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money' by John Maynard Keynes is a seminal work in economics that explores the relationship between savings, investment, and capital. It delves into topics such as interest rate determination, historical explanations of interest rates, and the failures of classical economic models in explaining unemployment. Keynes presents his liquidity preference theory and emphasizes the importance of government investment to stimulate the economy in times of downturn. is dense and jargon-heavy, written primarily for economists, with some readers finding it difficult to read but ultimately rewarding and insightful.

    I HAVE called this book the General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, placing the emphasis on the prefix general. The object of such a title is to contrast the character of my arguments and co...

  10. 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations' by Adam Smith, published in 1776, is a seminal work in the field of political economy. It offers a theoretical foundation while also delving into economic history, monopolies, government policies, taxes, and trade associations. Smith's opinions on wealth distribution, the role of self-interest in public interest, and the economic systems of European countries are highlighted throughout the book. While some readers found the detailed analysis of historical economic data tedious, others appreciated the insightful observations and examples provided by Smith to support his theories.

    The greatest improvements in the productive powers of labour, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity, and judgment, with which it is anywhere directed, or applied, seem to have been the effects ...

Page 1 of 10Next Page