Canuck2016

Interesting sketches of famous economists’ lives

Revisado: 09-05-18

The Grand Pursuit links intriguing portraits of the character and lives of famous and lesser known economists who shaped the history of economic thought and shows the context from which their ideas emerged. Nasser has an eye for telling detail and tells the story fluidly. The book seldom drags and is easily accessible. The downside is that it contains relatively little economics.

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How to Ratify a Constitution in 200 Steps

Revisado: 07-06-18

'The Framer's Coup' is a dramatic title. But the book never lives up to this promise. Even in the conclusion the author doesn't even mention a 'coup', let alone provide an argument in it's defense. Klarman does make a supported argument that the US constitution was much less inspired by Enlightenment ideals than by the vested interests of states, and that it series of tactical compromises produced the final document.

I learned a lot about the roles of individual figures in the drafting of the constitutions. And the book sheds important light on the 3/5th of a person allocated to southern states in the electoral map for African American population.

The blow by blow is far less dramatic than the account of a coup. It get tedious in places, requires patience and is often repetitive. A major disappointment is the short shrift given to the Bill of Rights. In 31 hours you'd think the author could find time to review the history of the key amendments. Instead he focuses only on how amendments were bargaining chips in the ratification process, without explain who supported which amendments and why some made it into the Bill of Rights and others were dropped.

On the whole this is an informative book. But it will put you to sleep pretty often.

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Great Storytelling

Revisado: 03-30-18

Tom Holland has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Roman history and a sharp eye for luscious and telling detail. His portraits of Roman emperors, from Julius Cesar to Nero, are compelling and the glimpses of Roman culture highly entertaining.

I learn a lot of history from Dynasty. But I recommend it because Holland tells a great story and the narration is superb.

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Excellent blend of story telling and sweeping history

Revisado: 03-11-18

A lot of histories of Rome are frankly boring. (See Alan Goldsworthy). Tom Holland weaves a great story of some of the most compelling characters in history, while giving an excellent sense of the lives and culture of the broader population.

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