The Invisible Heart

An Economic Romance

By: Russell D. Roberts

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Audie Award Finalist, Business/Educational, 2014

A love story that embraces the business and economic issues of the day?

The Invisible Heart takes a provocative look at business, economics, and regulation through the eyes of Sam Gordon and Laura Silver, teachers at the exclusive Edwards School in Washington, D.C. Sam lives and breathes capitalism. He thinks that most government regulation is unnecessary or even harmful. He believes that success in business is a virtue. He believes that our humanity flourishes under economic freedom. Laura prefers Wordsworth to the Wall Street Journal. Where Sam sees victors, she sees victims. She wants the government to protect consumers and workers from the excesses of Sam's beloved marketplace.

While Sam and Laura argue about how to make the world a better place, a parallel story unfolds across town. Erica Baldwin, the crusading head of a government watchdog agency, tries to bring Charles Krauss, a ruthless CEO, to justice.

How are these two dramas connected? Why is Sam under threat of dismissal? Will Erica Baldwin find the evidence she needs? Can Laura love a man with an Adam Smith poster on his wall? The answers in The Invisible Heart give the reader a richer appreciation for how business and the marketplace transform our lives.

©2002 Russell D. Roberts (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This audiobook conveys a great deal about economics in a fictionalized format, and sometimes the dialogue between protagonists Sam Gordon and Laura Silver sounds much like a college lecture. But as they're debating various questions such as the role of the government in the free market, the romantic tension between them builds, and Heyborne softens his voice to signal the change in direction. While this book is technically a work of fiction, it's more suited to those interested in business and economics, and Heyborne's reading reflects that focus." ( AudioFile)

Great audiobook. Would hear it more than once.

A novel on capitalism and its misconceptions. Worthwhile hearing it several times. a great audiobook

Better than expected

Any additional comments?

This was a surprisingly good read. I picked it up because the title caught my eye. And although I didn't really have an interest in economics per see, I found myself enjoying this. It has lots of good arguments for and against the argument of a free market. The plot is great and I never thought I'd enjoy an economic book. I especially liked how the two stories meld together. The narrator is very good and I really liked how the book is not just about economics, it also teaches things that is applicable to life in general. Read it, it's better than you think.

What makes economics great

In short this is the 8th grade story of how economics effects everything. The story is a bit cheezy but is pact with great lessons on econ. These are lessons that could really help a lot of people.

The only Romance Endorsed by Milton Friedman

Ask an economics professor-- or better yet, Milton Friedman: This is their sentimental favorite. It’s a rom-com narrative to illustrate two completely opposed economic viewpoints as espoused by brilliantly argumentative lovers. 

A must for every student of capitalism and Cupid!

I'd Rather Read Rand

What disappointed you about The Invisible Heart?

The story felt like a flimsy dirigible to carry a philosophical position. There was generally poor resistance to the beliefs of the main character, who somehow managed to develop a romantic relationship with someone despite their being no substantial conversation about, you know, relationship stuff. Rather, the protagonist argues about economics to an extent that all but the most obsessed economists would find awkward and put-offish. Naturally, we're made to sympathize with him due to some persecution for his beliefs. This isn't an economic romance, it's a tale of religious martyrdom. While Roberts does a decent job at informing you about some basic economics, you feel preached to more than taught. The story is just a tent pole for a given philosophy - something Ayn Rand does much better.

What could Russell D. Roberts have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Focus on making the story excellent on its own, regardless of the ideas of the characters.

What does Kirby Heyborne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kirby does an excellent job of keeping things moving and of differentiating the characters just enough.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. I love engaging ideas, but I feel deceived. The story is just a front for something else.

One of Susie Bright's Misses

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Usually I take Susie's advice on reading, but this novel was simply insulting for adults, perhaps OK for tweens looking for sappy romance and an econ 101 lesson.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No, none.

No Depth

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

People who enjoy hearing their point of view repeated ad infinitum without ever a chance of being challenged.

Has The Invisible Heart turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. I'll just look for better written stories with a similar theme.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Kirby Heyborne?

Yes. The narration wasn't the problem.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Invisible Heart?

Most scenes. There's no chemistry between the characters in this supposed love story.

Any additional comments?

From reading the synopsis, I expected the main characters to experience the consequences of their beliefs and to develop a more nuanced perspective as a result. Instead, I was treated to a series of lectures in which an always right professor is beating up on a straw man.
There was no depth to his utopian portrayal of the free market, no depth to the naive "liberal" point of view, no depth to the supposed romance. Maybe the author has never heard of game theory, bounded rationality or behavioral economics. If he had, he might have delivered a more interesting story.
I listened to the end, hoping something meaningful would be coming. It never did.