The Wealth of Nations

By: Adam Smith

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

The foundation for all modern economic thought and political economy, The Wealth of Nations is the magnum opus of Scottish economist Adam Smith, who introduces the world to the very idea of economics and capitalism in the modern sense of the words. Smith details his argument in five books:

• Book I. Of the Causes of Improvement in the Productive Power of Labour
• Book II. Of the Nature, Accumulation, and Employment of Stock Introduction
• Book III. Of the Different Progress of Opulence in Different Nations
• Book IV. Of Systems of Political Economy
• Book V. Of the Revenue of the Sovereign or Commonwealth

Taken together, these books form a giant leap forward in the field of economics. A product of the "Age of Enlightenment," The Wealth of Nations is a must for all who wish to gain a better understanding of the principles upon which all modern capitalistic economies have been founded and the process of wealth creation that is engendered by those principles.

Public Domain (P)2010 Tantor

Amazingly accessible

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. I had thought the Smith had anticipated much of our current understanding of the way markets function. Instead, he had all of the fundamentals figured out. I was fearing that it would be quite obscure in topic and language, but found it pleasantly accessible, if perhaps a bit long.

As as reading the classics, I would definitely recommend this.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The market.

What about Gildart Jackson’s performance did you like?

It fit the material.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Way Your World Works

The Wealth of Ages

The book is great compilation of financial data, non-mercantile philosophy and an insight into the mind of the author and his thoroughness amazes me. It is no doubt that collecting all this data back in his time would have been an achievement in itself.
I feel a better understanding of the very fundamentals of economy and society. Interestingly, although unintentional, one can learn a lot about the roots of many words and phrases we commonly use today without them making direct sense to us in modern context.
It is hard to retain all the information contained in this laborious book though and ancient data often becomes a drag when listening to it.

I would suggest readers that if they can find an abridged copy of the book or a commentary on this book which skips the tedious ancient data but retains the original content on philosophy, social and political impact of economic policies and general humour and observations of this very learned author then it would be perhaps a more enjoyable reading than the current tome.

The wisdom speaks through the ages here.

Outstanding!

Our political and economic leaders would do well to learn what Adam Smith understood in the 1700s. We keep making the same costly mistakes! There are no excuses for the gross failures we see in our economies today.

Great to help understand government & economics

Adam Smith's analysis of governments is as relevant today as 240 years ago.
Many politicians should listen to this book.

Great Narration of a Classic

Gildart Jackson is a great choice for a narrator if this foundational treatise on capitalism. Adam Smith provides great detail about the market and its benefits, with historical and contemporary anecdotes that prove his points.