The Great Economists succinctly and accurately describes the thinking of the world’s leading economic thinkers. It captures their key beliefs, explores their backgrounds, assesses their thinking and evaluates their legacy. It explains the schools of thought named after them and clearly shows how they influence our everyday lives.

About the Author   Acknowledgements   Introduction   Chapter 1 – Adam Smith – the ‘founding father’ of economics   Chapter 2 – David Ricardo – from immigrant to gentleman   Chapter 3 – Karl Marx – the fallen hero?   Chapter 4 – Alfred Marshall – microeconomics arrives   Chapter 5 – John Maynard Keynes – the rise, fall, rise … and fall   Chapter 6 – Friedrich Hayek – the archetypal libertarian   Chapter 7 – Milton Friedman – father of monetarism   Chapter 8 – Paul Samuelson – the neoclassical economist synthesist   Chapter 9 – Gary Becker – economics in the real world   Chapter 10 - Daniel Kahneman – economic psychologist  

‘A clear and useful guide for anybody who wants to know how and why economic thought has shaped the world we live in over the past 250 years.' Larry Elliot, Economics Editor, The Guardian   “It is hard to quarrel with Phil Thornton’s choice of the 10 great economists to include in this book. He skilfully brings them to life and explains their contribution to economics in a clear, accessible and readable way. Recommended.”  David Smith, Economics Editor, The Sunday Times.   Economists such as Adam Smith, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman are known throughout the world. Their philosophies have influenced iconic politicians, divided continents, spawned political parties and had striking impacts on how we live. Who are these people and what have they done to make such a mark on society? What can we learn from them?   The Great Economists succinctly and accurately describes the thinking of the world’s leading economic thinkers. It captures their key beliefs, explores their backgrounds, assesses their thinking and evaluates their legacy. It explains the schools of thought named after them and clearly shows how they influence our everyday lives.