Jesse Norman Libri

One of America's most admired and decorated singers tells her inspiring life story, from the segregated south to the world's greatest stages.

Adam Smith is now widely regarded as 'the father of modern economics' and the most influential economist who ever lived. But what he really thought, and what the implications of his ideas are, remain fiercely contested. Was he an eloquent advocate of capitalism and the freedom of the individual? Or a prime mover of 'market fundamentalism' and an apologist for inequality and human selfishness? This exceptional book, by a writer who combines to an unusual degree intellectual training and practical political experience, dispels the myths and caricatures and gives us Smith in the round. It lays out a succinct and highly engaging account of Smith's life and times, explores his work as a whole and traces his influence over the past two centuries. Finally, it shows how a proper understanding of Smith can help us grasp - and address - the problems of modern capitalism. The Smith who emerges from this book is not only the first thinker to place markets at the heart of economics but also a pioneering theorist of moral philosophy, culture and society.

Adam Smith is often hailed as the 'father of modern economics,' yet interpretations of his ideas spark intense debate. Was he a champion of capitalism and individual freedom, or an apologist for inequality and human selfishness? This insightful exploration delves into Smith's broader intellectual contributions against the backdrop of Enlightenment Scotland, offering a comprehensive overview of his life, work, and lasting influence. The narrative not only serves as a biography but also dispels myths surrounding Smith, examining his thoughts on ethics, law, economics, and government. His ideas have shaped the perspectives of thinkers like Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, John Maynard Keynes, and Friedrich Hayek. Smith emerges as a pioneer of modern social psychology and behavioral theory, presenting a nuanced evolutionary theory of political economy that acknowledges the interplay between markets and the state. In an era of polarized economic and political discourse, this analysis applies Smith's insights to contemporary issues such as predatory capitalism and the 2008 financial crisis. By revisiting Smith's principles, the work addresses critical topics of inequality, human dignity, and exploitation, underscoring his relevance in discussions about the defense, reform, or renewal of the market system.

Examines the life of the great Irish philosopher, statesman and political thinker, who supported abolition, free markets, Catholic equality in Ireland in the eighteenth century while warning of ideological extremism and the dangers of a corporate state.

A dazzlingly original, "remarkable" account of the life and thought of legendary economist Adam Smith (Financial Times). Adam Smith (1723-1790) is now widely regarded as the greatest economist of all time. But what he really thought, and the implications of his ideas, remain fiercely contested. Was he an eloquent advocate of capitalism and individual freedom? A prime mover of "market fundamentalism"? An apologist for human selfishness? Or something else entirely? In the tradition of The Worldly Philosophers, Adam Smith dispels the myths and caricatures, and provides a far more complex portrait of the man. Offering a highly engaging account of Smith's life and times, political philosopher Jesse Norman explores his work as a whole and traces his influence over two centuries to the present day. Finally, he shows how a proper understanding of Smith can help us address the problems of modern capitalism. The Smith who emerges from this book is not only the greatest of all economists but a pioneering theorist of moral philosophy, culture, and society.

Reexamines the ancient and long-disregarded concept of visual reasoning and reasserts its potential as a formidable tool in our ability to grasp various kinds of geometrical knowledge. A detailed philosophical case study, this text will be useful for scholars in the fields of mathematics and philosophy.

The Winding Stair tells the gripping story of these two founders of our modern world and their bitter struggle for influence and power.