Shelfology Book Pairing

Philosophy and Economics

by Thomas Sowell

First published in 1985, Thomas Sowelle(tm)s book is a crisp, lucid and commonsensical introduction to Marxe(tm)s own writings and to Marxist theory. It combines readability with intellectual rigour and distils more than a quarter of a century of Thomas Sowelle(tm)s research and thought on the philosophical and economic doctrines of Karl Marx. Its central theme is that Marxian philosophy must be understood before Marxian economics can be defined. The book discusses Marxe(tm)s ideas, including his philosophy of history, concept of capitalist "exploitation", morality and business cycle theory. The authore(tm)s treatment is balanced, though often critical and displays a mastery of Marxe(tm)s own writings which are liberally extracted throughout the text.

by Adam Smith

Adam Smith’s masterpiece, first published in 1776, is the foundation of modern economic thought and remains the single most important account of the rise of, and the principles behind, modern capitalism. Written in clear and incisive prose, The Wealth of Nations articulates the concepts indispensable to an understanding of contemporary society; and Robert Reich’s Introduction both clarifies Smith’s analyses and illuminates his overall relevance to the world in which we live. As Reich writes, “Smith’s mind ranged over issues as fresh and topical today as they were in the late eighteenth century—jobs, wages, politics, government, trade, education, business, and ethics.” Introduction by Robert Reich • Commentary by R. H. Campbell and A. S. Skinner • Includes a Modern Library Reading Group Guide