The best 100 International Economics books

The Bottom Billion (2007) focuses on the specific problems of the 50 poorest states in the world and the traps that keep them impoverished. These states are drastically behind even developing nations and are in serious need of help from wealthier nations if they are to ever achieve economic self-determination. Drawing on his original research, Collier points out the pitfalls of the conventional methods for dealing with this extreme poverty and offers unique policy recommendations that cater to the unique struggles faced by the world’s poorest nations.

• Anyone interested in economics
• Anyone interested in history
• Anyone interested in social justice

The Undercover Economist explains how economics defines our lives. From the price of a cappuccino to the amount of smog in the air, everything is tied to economics. The book shows us how economists understand the world and how we can benefit from a better understanding of economic systems.

• Students of economics
• Anyone who wants to reduce their daily shopping bills
• Anyone interested in how economics affects our everyday lives

As pessimists talk of an economic development crisis, author Charles Kenny is optimistic in his assessment that in fact, all over the world, we’ve made enormous progress in overall quality of life. Getting Better shows that the spread of technology and ideas has fostered a revolution of happiness and standard of living unprecedented in human history. Kenny provides evidence to make us enthusiastic about the progress we’ve attained so far, and offers suggestions on what is to be done if we want to keep this progress alive.

• Anyone interested in international politics and development aid
• Anyone looking for a fresh and optimistic outlook on the world
• Anyone interested in economics and global development

The Origin of Wealth shows us the inadequacies of the economic theories that underpin our understanding of economics. The book argues that economic actors shouldn’t be seen as rational consumers that act on their self-interest. Rather, economics is best understood as a complex system of adaptation, similar to evolution, where products, ideas, and ideology compete for survival.

• Students and scholars of economic science
• Anyone interested in economics, social sciences or business   
• Business leaders, economists and politicians

In 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism Ha-Joon Chang destroys the biggest myths of our current economic approach. He explains how, despite what most economists believe, there are many things wrong with free market capitalism. As well as explaining the problems, Chang also offers possible solutions which could help us build a better, fairer world.

• Students of economics who are fed up with mainstream teaching
• Anyone who takes an interest in the financial crisis and why nobody saw it coming
• Anyone wondering why levels of inequality are so high

The Zero Marginal Cost Society (2014) lays out a strong case for the self-destructive nature of capitalism, demonstrating how it is sowing the seeds of its own destruction. But in its wake, a new, collaborative, democratized economy will materialize – one made possible by the internet.

• People who are interested in the future of our global economy
• Anyone who wants to learn about the personal and social impact of cutting-edge technology
• Committed capitalists

Economics: The User’s Guide lays out the foundational concepts of economics in an easily relatable and compelling way. Examining the history of economics as well as some critical changes to global economic institutions, this book will teach you everything you need to know about how economics works today.

• Anyone interested in the history of economics
• Anyone interested in the intersection of politics and economics
• Anyone who dozed through Economics 101 in college

Treasure Islands offers insight into one of the darkest parts of the financial world: tax havens. It explains how wealthy people and corporations are able to avoid paying taxes by relocating their assets offshore. Tax havens are highly damaging to all but the tiny percentage of people who can afford to use them, and they contribute to the growing gap between rich and poor.

• Anyone interested in tax havens
• Anyone interested in economics
• Anyone interested in global power dynamics

Dealing With China reveals China’s journey to becoming the economic superpower it is today. These blinks explain the advantages and disadvantages of this rapid growth, and offer insights into how the US and China should work together to face today’s global challenges.

• Anyone interested in the rise of China on the international stage
• Politics buffs keen to learn more about US foreign policy

China's Second Continent (2014) is about the mass wave of Chinese migrants who have relocated to Africa in the last few decades. These blinks trace the origins of this migration and outline the profound impact it has on both regions, Chinese-African relations and the world at large.

• Students of Chinese or African politics
• Anyone interested in international relations
• Anyone curious about the long-term influence of mass migration

In Who Gets What – and Why (2015), Nobel Prize winner Alvin Roth brings his groundbreaking research on market design to a broader, nonspecialist audience, explaining how markets work, why they sometimes fail and what we can do to improve them. Using contemporary examples, Roth outlines the nonfinancial factors that shape markets and shows how we can make more informed marketplace decisions.

• Anyone interested in how different economies function
• Business, government and community leaders responsible for designing efficient markets
• Anyone who wants to make better decisions in life, love and work

Small is Beautiful (1973) is a collection of essays by renowned British economist E. F. Schumacher outlining his critique of the Western economic system. First published in 1973, this classic collection, which is now considered to be one of the most influential books published since World War II, is as relevant today as it was in the ‘70s.

• People interested in politics and economics
• Mindful citizens who want to understand how our economic system affects the earth

Postcapitalism (2015) offers a close examination of the failures of current economic systems. The 2008 financial crisis showed us that neoliberal capitalism is falling apart, and these blinks outline the reasons why we’re at the start of capitalism’s downfall, while giving an idea of what our transition into postcapitalism will be like.

• Capitalists and anti-capitalists
• Students of sociology or politics
• Anyone interested in what the future holds for modern-day societies

How Asia Works examines the economic development of nine Asian countries and, in the process, sketches a blueprint for other developing nations seeking to achieve sustainable economic growth. Joe Studwell explains why some Asian economies have boomed while others have fallen behind, revealing what history has proved works – and what doesn’t.

• Anyone interested in developing economies and international economics
• Asian history enthusiasts

The Box (2006) tells the tale of modern transportation’s poster child, the container, and how it revolutionized the shipping industry and enabled globalization. These blinks will take you on a detailed journey through this seemingly simple but revolutionary change in global systems of trade.

• Professionals in logistics, transportation or trading
• People interested in globalization
• Every economics and business student

Today, the United States has a stronghold as the global superpower, but the world is changing at a historically unprecedented rate. These blinks to The Accidental Superpower (2014) outline the reasons the United States came to politically and economically dominate the planet, and what we can expect in the coming decades, both in the United States and the world at large.

• Students of politics and economics
• Anyone interested in ancient history
• Anyone curious about the future

False Economy (2009) offers a fresh perspective on how and why some nations of the world have become economic powerhouses and others have ended up as financial disasters. You’ll see that nations aren’t handcuffed by fate. Rather, their economic success or failure is based on the choices they make.

• Anyone interested in economics
• Readers who want to learn about the politics of money
• People interested in international business

Two Nations Indivisible (2013) tells the story of the United States’ relationship with its neighbor to the south: Mexico. These blinks explain the profound connections between the two countries as well as the misunderstandings that keep them apart, with an emphasis on political and economic relations.

• Policy makers who want to understand more about the US-Mexico relationship
• Educators and students interested in world politics
• Americans and Mexicans hoping to understand each other better

The Hidden Wealth of Nations (2015) reveals the truth about the decades of deceitful business practices that have added to today’s economic turmoil. Trillions of dollars worldwide go untaxed, and nations put the burden on innocent citizens, which only increases economic tensions. So what can be done to stop tax evasion and get corporations to start paying their dues?

• People curious about the Panama Papers leak
• Students and professionals interested in global finance and economics
• Anyone interested in the politics of money

The Haves and the Have-Nots (2010) shows how inequality throughout history has made its mark on society at large. These blinks explore three types of inequality: inequality among individuals in a single country; inequality among countries; and global inequality, or inequality among all the world’s citizens.

• Students interested in politics and global justice
• People curious about global economics

Were You Born on the Wrong Continent? (2010) examines the true nature of the American economy as revealed by an eye-opening investigation that compared living standards in the United States with countries in Europe. By examining differences in health benefits and employee rights, among other issues, these blinks reveal how European nations such as Germany have quietly taken the lead when it comes to economic health and prosperity.

• Middle-class Americans wondering why they work such long hours
• People thinking about moving to Europe
• Readers keen to learn the inner workings of social democracy

The 2008 financial crisis dramatically changed the global economic landscape. Central banks now play a very different role than they did previously, and we now face a set of new economic risks and problems. The Only Game in Town (2016) outlines the roots of these risks and problems, and what we can do to start overcoming them.

• Economists, analysts and bankers
• Anyone curious about the future of global politics

On Saudi Arabia (2012) gives a fascinating overview of a country rife with contradictions. Despite being immensely wealthy, Saudi Arabia is filled with people who live in abject poverty. And although on its way to being counted among the world’s most powerful countries, it has an education system that’s received execrable rankings. Add to this a liberal dose of religious fanaticism and a complex royal family and you’ll begin to see why Saudi Arabia has struggled to come to terms with itself.

• Readers wanting to know more about life in Saudi Arabia
• Economists interested in a rich yet struggling nation
• Travelers considering a visit to Saudi Arabia

Rare (2015) sheds light on the common but elusive chemical elements beneath the earth’s surface – elements that play an increasingly important role in the development of modern technology. Get a better sense of what’s really driving the geopolitical struggles between the world’s superpowers, and what a group of rare earth metals has to do with the future of our energy sources, gadgets and military technology.

• Economists interested in the division of the world’s valuable mineral resources
• Tech junkies curious about what their devices are made of
• Concerned consumers who want to know more about what they buy

Empire of Cotton (2014) chronicles the long and complex history of that fluffy plant – cotton. These blinks detail how the cotton industry connected the world from Manchester, England, to rural India, while describing the incredible impact that cotton production has had on the development of economic systems.

• Historians, economists and political scientists
• People interested in the history of capitalism and globalization
• Anyone curious about the history of their jeans and T-shirts

The Evolution of Money (2016) offers an insightful look at the history of currency in civilized society, from shells and coins to the digital ones and zeroes of an online bank account. Find out how monetary systems have always functioned much like religion – without faith and belief, they’d collapse – and learn what the future may have in store.

• Students of politics and economics
• Businesspeople
• Anyone curious about the financial crisis of 2007

Jean Tirole’s Economics for the Common Good (2017) is a wide-ranging look at the contemporary economy, packed with plenty of insights into the theory and practice of modern-day economics. Deconstructing the supposed opposition of state and market, Tirole explores their many interconnections in fields ranging from climate change to property rights and the new digital economy.

• Anyone interested in the how, what and why of economics
• Proponents of free markets and advocates of state regulation
• Anyone who’s ever wondered why climate change is so hard to tackle

Us vs. Them (2018) explores how globalism has created both winners and losers and explains how the losers are now looking to set things right. In countries from the United States to China, from Venezuela to Turkey, unhappy citizens are making new demands of their governments, and populist politicians are promising easy answers. Us vs. Them offers a lucid take on the forces disrupting societies around the world and suggests potential solutions for the future.

• Anyone interested in understanding populist forces and their origins
• People concerned about the impact of robots on the workforce and society
• Readers interested in foreign affairs and political science

The End of Poverty (2005) is a guide to ending extreme poverty once and for all. These blinks explain how little investment is actually required to transform the lives of millions. That is, as long as it’s spent wisely.

• Anybody who wants to end global poverty
• Everyone with an interest in politics or international relations
• Every charitable person

Adults in the Room (2017) is a fascinating behind-the-scenes account of what it’s like to deal with the European Union establishment, as experienced by the former Minister of Finance of Greece. This scathing exposé shows that, when it comes to global politics, the best interests of weaker nations aren’t always of the utmost importance to those in charge.

• European citizens
• Anyone interested in European politics
• Students of economics and world affairs

Doughnut Economics (2017) is a call to arms for a fresh approach to economics. As inequality soars and environmental crisis looms, the book’s central question has never seemed more relevant. How can we build a just economic system that allows us to thrive while preserving the planet? A good place to start, Kate Raworth suggests, is to do away with the old myths that have shaped economic thinking for so long. Zeroing in on the doughnut-shaped “sweet spot” in which our needs can be sustainably met, this is a thought-provoking read which might just help save the world.

• Anyone losing sleep over the Earth’s future as climate change kicks in
• Economic innovators in search of new models for a new century
• Fans of fresh thinking on big topics

The Silk Roads (2015) is a comprehensive history of the world, written with an eye to the networks of trade that shaped it. The networks of trade first established in ancient Persia and later linked with Chinese trade routes created a great network between the East and the West. But these Silk Roads are not relics of the past. They have morphed and changed, and their impact can be felt today, right down to America’s fateful engagement in the region where it all began.

• Economists looking for historical parallels
• Intrigued followers of world events who want to learn about trade
• Historians of all stripes

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (2019) provides a revealing look at just how committed companies like Google and Facebook are to tracking every one of your actions and selling that data to advertisers. Over the past few years, this business practice has become one of the most prominent worldwide, and the harmful effects it has on personal liberty and democracy are becoming more apparent.

Listed on The Guardian’s Best 100 Books of the 21st Century

• Users of Google or Facebook
• People who value privacy and free will
• Anyone curious about how much personal data is being collected

India after Gandhi (2007) chronicles the story of post-independence India. For centuries, the country was ruled by colonial overlords, but that changed in 1947. After a long struggle for independence, Indians gained self-rule. Since then, the journey hasn’t been easy, but India remains a persevering and determined democracy – and the largest the world has ever seen.

• Students of history interested in the region of south Asia
• Indians looking to learn more about their contemporary history
• Political junkies looking to clue into a new region

The New Silk Roads (2018) explores current affairs and political trends from an Eastern perspective. Using up-to-date examples and staggering statistics, the blinks explain the complicated global relationships and alliances at play in international relations today.

• Current affairs enthusiasts looking for fresh insights
• History buffs wanting a new perspective
• Business leaders wanting to prepare for the world of tomorrow

The AI Economy tackles the most pressing economic questions surrounding the rise of Artificial Intelligence. How will the development and spread of smart machines’ age affect our jobs, wages and work hours? How will it impact investment, interest rates and inequality? Acclaimed economist Roger Bootle applies his knowledge of history, technology and macroeconomics to investigate how the fourth industrial revolution will transform the global economy. 

• Business owners and investors who want to make the most of the new economy
• Government officials and policymakers who want to help people thrive in the robot age
• Individuals who wish to prepare themselves for the AI revolution

The Third Pillar (2019) traces the evolving relationship between the three “pillars” of human life – the state, markets and communities – from the medieval period to our own age. Economist Raghuram Rajan argues that, throughout history, societies have struggled to find a sustainable balance between these pillars. Today is no different: caught between uncontrolled markets and a discredited state, communities everywhere are in decline. That, Rajan concludes, is jet fuel for populist movements. But a more balanced kind of social order is possible.

• Anyone apprehensive about the rise of intolerant political movements
• Historians and economists
• Community organizers and neighborhood activists

The Anarchy (2019) details how the East India Company, an English joint-stock corporation, came to rule the British economy – and the fates of 200 million South Asians. From its founding in 1599 by privateers and pirates to its time as master of the largest standing army in South Asia, the Company fanned the flames of anarchy, then used the resulting chaos as an opportunity to loot an empire.  

• History hounds so appalled by colonialism that they can’t look away
• Those interested in how corporations came to rule our lives
• Travel junkies looking to contextualize their time in India

Narrative Economics (2019) describes how popular narratives influence the way economies behave. From Bitcoin’s sudden rise to stock-market crashes, Narrative Economics looks beyond the statistics to the collective human stories that drive these events. 

• Financial analysts looking to broaden their horizons
• Forecasters of any kind
• Anyone interested in the economy and global events

Open (2020) traces the progress of ancient and modern human accomplishments, and reveals that behind all of our major advancements is a policy of openness, tolerance, and free trade. You’ll see how, from the Phoenicians to the Dutch East India Trading Company, the free flow of commerce and ideas has led to wealth, innovation, and problem-solving that would have never been possible otherwise.

• History buffs
• Those interested in the Brexit debate
• People keen to know the secrets of innovation and progress

The Value of Everything (2018) presents an argument for redefining value in the economy so that we can better understand who really creates value, and who extracts it.

• Economists eager for new ideas
• Fans of politics in search of change
• Lovers of radical ideas and ambitious visions

The Promise of Bitcoin (2021) is an introduction to the financial revolution that began in 2009 – the year an anonymous coder who called himself Satoshi Nakamoto launched Bitcoin. Rooted in the conviction that old monetary systems have failed us, this digital currency promises a more trustworthy, decentralized, and democratic alternative. How does it work? Few people can explain that better than Bobby Lee, a Bitcoin pioneer who’s been on the barricades since the revolution’s earliest days. 

• Investors looking for new opportunities
• Critics of the banking system 
• Technophobes wondering what all the Bitcoin fuss is about

Economic Facts and Fallacies (2008) takes some common assumptions about economics and politics and reveals them as fallacies. It’s only by facing uncomfortable truths, the book argues, that we can begin to solve the problems in front of us.

• Those interested in politics and economics
• Anyone looking for a contrary perspective
• Libertarians and conservatives

Drive (2009) points out that many organizations still follow a “carrot and stick” approach, using external incentives to motivate people. It explains why this is a bad idea and introduces a more effective solution: sparking engagement by catering to the psychology of intrinsic motivation.

• Psychology buffs interested in human behavior
• Executives who’d like to leverage the power of intrinsic motivation
• Anyone who wants to find out how to effectively motivate themselves

Earth for All (2022) is more than a book – it’s a survival guide. After centuries of industrialization, population growth, and rising inequality, our planet is now at a tipping point. We are already learning to live with pandemics, war, wildfires, and more. This guide offers timely, practical solutions for the urgent problems facing humankind.

• People concerned about climate change
• Activists seeking a better future
• Residents of planet Earth – in other words, all of us!

Slouching Towards Utopia (2022) examines the “long century” between 1870 and 2010, during which technological progress, globalization, and the advent of social democracy opened a new horizon of human progress. Barring the horror years of World Wars I and II, humanity seemed to be on a slow, uneven crawl toward utopia. But in 2010, the tables turned. Economic progress in the Global North ground to a halt. 

• History buffs
• John Maynard Keynes fans
• Anyone wondering how the world became so unequal

How the World Really Works (2022) tackles a paradox at the heart of the modern world: we’ve never had so much information at our fingertips and never known so little about how things actually work. Of course, we can’t be experts in everything. But, Vaclav Smil argues, it’s our duty as citizens to be informed about the basics – the big questions that shape our societies and their futures.

• History and science enthusiasts
• Anyone interested in how their food gets made
• Those wondering what energy actually is

MegaThreats (2022) delves into the ten most pressing potential threats to humanity's future. The author examines the evidence and potential consequences for each threat, questioning whether we are doing enough to prevent or prepare for them.

• Futurists
• Students of economics
• Doomsday preppers

The End of the World Is Just Beginning (2022) asks what happens if or when the United States stops policing the global order it established after the Second World War. The short answer is that the world as we know it will come to a grinding, potentially violent halt. The longer answer takes us on a thrilling ride through the politics and economics of trade, energy, and foreign policy. 

• History buffs 
• Politicos with an interest in foreign policy
• Anyone trying to figure out global events

Profit Over People (1999) is a deep dive into the often hidden world of neoliberalism, revealing how global power structures and US policies are influenced by corporate interests. You’ll be taken on a journey that uncovers an economic system geared toward the affluent, often to the detriment of the many.

• Students of economics or international relations 
• Policymakers and businesspeople
• Curious minds interested in the way our world works

Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation (2021) maps the current pain points and inefficiencies in global supply chains while charting the innovations and new technologies poised to transform the system. It provides an insider's perspective on the practical challenges facing warehouses, ports, and logistics networks, along with realistic ideas for how leaders can leverage emerging tools like Internet of Things sensors and AI to make supply chains sustainable, resilient, and responsive. 

• Supply chain professionals
• Logistics company leaders
• Tech innovators

Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2013) offers a deep dive into the historical trends and dynamics of income and wealth inequality. Drawing from centuries of data, it examines how capital concentration perpetuates inequality and proposes bold solutions to address this growing divide.

• Economists studying wealth dynamics
• Those who would like to contextualize modern economic issues with historical data
• Advocates for social justice and economic equality

You Will Own Nothing (2023) challenges you to confront a possible future where global elites dictate what you do and don’t have. Dive into an investigation of the forces striving to reshape our very notions of ownership, and discover strategies to ensure your autonomy and assets aren't just safe but thriving. Brace yourself: it's time to redefine your future.

• Financial enthusiasts exploring global economic shifts.
• Technological futurists keen on societal implications.
• Advocates for personal rights and wealth autonomy.

Destined for War (2017) applies ancient military thinking to a very contemporary conflict: the power struggle between the established power of the US, and the rising power of China. It uncovers how this dynamic has led to conflict in past centuries, and spells out what the US and China must do in the future to avoid all-out war.

• News junkies who want a deeper understanding of the US’s relationship with China
• Those interested in how ancient political theory can be applied to contemporary conflicts
• Those new to world politics who are curious about the current power struggle between China and the US

To Dye For (2023) exposes how the fashion industry harms human health and exploits workers through its use of toxic dyes and lack of supply chain transparency. It delves into the environmental and human costs behind our clothes, while also spotlighting companies innovating health-conscious dyes and production methods. Ultimately, it challenges consumers to make informed choices in order to pressure brands to clean up one of the world’s dirtiest industries.

• Consumers wanting to make health- and eco-conscious clothing choices
• Fashion and textile industry professionals
• Environmental and workers’ rights activists

Prediction Machines (2018) delves into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the economics of decision-making. It highlights how AI reduces the cost of predictions, reshapes business problems, and influences decision-making amid uncertainty. The work further explores the value of data in today’s AI-driven economy and the changing dynamics between human labor and automation.

• Entrepreneurs looking to leverage AI in their startups
• Business students looking at the future of industries influenced by AI
• Tech enthusiasts curious about the intersection of AI and economics

Manias, Panics, and Crashes (1978; 8th edition 2023) analyzes financial crises spanning three centuries to identify recurring patterns in market booms and busts. It demonstrates how speculation, credit expansion, and euphoria have repeatedly led to panic and collapse across different eras and economic systems. Drawing on historical evidence from the South Sea Bubble to the 2008 financial crisis and beyond, it provides a comprehensive framework for understanding why financial instability is inevitable in credit-based economies.

• Finance professionals managing risk and investment decisions
• Regulators and policymakers preventing future financial crises
• Students and researchers studying financial market dynamics

Too Big to Fail (2009) draws you into the heart of the 2008 financial crisis, revealing the high-stakes decisions and power struggles that shaped the world's economic landscape at that time. This gripping narrative untangles a complex web of financial intrigue, and will help you understand the forces that drove one of the most tumultuous periods in financial history.

• Finance professionals interested in economic crisis insights
• History buffs exploring twenty-first-century financial events
• Business students studying real-world corporate strategy

The Winner’s Curse (2025) revisits influential essays on behavioral economics originally published decades ago, examining how these findings about human economic irrationality have held up over time. It demonstrates that people consistently deviate from the rational economic behavior predicted by traditional theory, making systematic errors across the board, from auctions and financial markets, to everyday transactions.

• People curious about why they make irrational money decisions
• Anyone interested in psychology and human behavior
• Fans of behavioral economics and how it affects their day-to-day

Tokens (2023) looks at the transformation of traditional monetary systems in the digital era, highlighting how various forms of digital tokens are increasingly replacing conventional currency. It explores the implications of this shift, particularly focusing on the role of digital platforms in creating new types of economic exchange, ownership, and governance models.

• Financial technology professionals and cryptocurrency enthusiasts
• Tech entrepreneurs exploring new payment systems
• Anyone interested in the future of digital currency

Material World (2023) delves into the profound influence of six fundamental materials on the course of human civilization: sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium. You'll explore how these elements have not only built and destroyed empires, but are also crucial to shaping our present existence and future. It's a captivating journey revealing the largely unseen impact of everyday materials on our lives, from ancient times to the digital age.

• History enthusiasts intrigued by how materials have impacted civilizations
• Environmentalists interested in sustainable resource management
• Technology buffs fascinated by material innovation and usage

How to Listen When Markets Speak (2024) explores strategies for interpreting the complex signals of financial markets to make informed investment decisions. It offers insights into the correlation between historical market events and current market behaviors, providing readers with the tools to predict and respond to market trends effectively. The guidance within emphasizes the importance of listening to and understanding the nuances of market data and economic indicators.

• Financial analysts seeking market behavior insights
• Investors interested in risk management strategies
• Business students studying financial markets

The Everything War (2024) is an investigative exposé revealing Amazon’s relentless strategies to dominate the world’s industries. It details how Amazon uses its vast resources and data to outcompete rivals, often resorting to exploitative practices and anticompetitive behavior. What does it really take to own the world and remake corporate powers?

• Those curious about Amazon’s shady legal and ethical history
• Entrepreneurs and Business leaders
• Anyone using Amazon services

How Soccer Explains the World (2010) explores soccer’s profound impact on global culture, politics, and economics. Illustrating the ways in which the sport exemplifies and sometimes challenges the effects of globalization, it sheds light on the persistence of deep-seated tribal and sectarian identities in an increasingly globalized world.

• Soccer fans curious about the sport’s global impact
• Readers interested in sociology and global cultural trends
• Anyone exploring intersections of sports, politics, and economics

The Shortest History of Economics (2024) explores the hidden economic forces that have shaped human history. It examines how capitalism and market systems emerged, linking economic developments to major historical events from the rise of agriculture to modern conflicts. 

• Students seeking context for modern economic theories
• Curious general readers interested in how economies evolve
• Anyone who wants a new lens on human history

The Truth About Immigration (2024) offers a fact-based, comprehensive, and nonpartisan look at immigration, debunking common myths and fears. It reveals the overwhelmingly positive impact of immigration on job creation, investment, innovation, cultural vitality, and national security, showing how newcomers benefit local communities and the nation as a whole.

• Policymakers shaping immigration laws
• Community organizers advocating for social integration
• Business leaders interested in workforce diversity

Cobalt Red (2023) exposes the dark underbelly of our digital age with a deep dive into the human and environmental toll of cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The investigation lays bare the brutal realities faced by those who extract the essential component of our rechargeable batteries, challenging us to confront our unwitting complicity in a global humanitarian crisis.

• Consumers curious about the ethical implications of modern technology
• Human rights activists and advocates focusing on labor issues and exploitation
• Anyone interested in investigative journalism 

Making Sense of Chaos (2024) offers a fresh take on our complex economic world through the lens of complexity economics. It explores new computational tools and models that address issues like inflation, inequality, and financial crises – and shows how we can make better predictions and craft smarter policies in an increasingly interconnected and turbulent global economy.

• Economics enthusiasts
• Tech and data science buffs
• Policymakers and analysts

Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order (2021) examines the patterns underpinning the rise and fall of past empires – and demonstrates that they can be equally applied to empires today. It explores how our current global dynamics mirror those of past centuries, with the US and China at the forefront, and argues that understanding these dynamics will prepare us for what’s ahead.

• History buffs intrigued with the rise and fall of empires.
• Investors seeking to navigate global economic trends
• Students of political science and international relations

Essays in Persuasion (1931) is a collection of pivotal economic writings that shaped modern economic thought and policy. It challenges the conventional wisdom of its time, offering innovative approaches to economic crises, international relations, and social welfare, while also presenting a hopeful vision for humanity’s economic future that continues to spark debate and inspiration nearly a century later.

• Economics enthusiasts looking to understand the foundations of modern economic policies
• History buffs curious about the economic factors that shaped the twentieth century
• Anyone seeking to better understand current debates about government intervention in the economy

How Economics Explains the World (2024) offers a sweeping narrative of human history through the lens of economic forces – from the agricultural revolution to the age of artificial intelligence. This concise yet comprehensive work illuminates how ingenuity, market dynamics, and the pursuit of progress have profoundly shaped our past and present, while also examining the economic challenges that will define our future.

• History enthusiasts seeking to understand global events through an economic lens
• Students of economics looking for a concise overview of the discipline's impact on society
• Policy makers interested in the historical context of economic decisions

The Employee Advantage (2024) argues that prioritizing employees can drive business success by encouraging innovation, improving profitability, and attracting top talent. It highlights how organizations can benefit from focusing on employee well-being, showcasing examples of companies that have thrived by adopting an employee-centric approach. It also provides actionable strategies for leaders to create workplaces where employees feel valued and motivated.

• Business leaders seeking innovative employee engagement strategies
• Entrepreneurs building people-focused, sustainable organizations
• Students of business or organizational psychology

This Time is Different (2011) analyzes eight centuries of financial crises, demonstrating that despite claims of uniqueness, these crises follow remarkably similar patterns. While countries eventually recover from financial storms, human nature's tendency to believe "this time is different" leads to repeated cycles of crisis, as each generation forgets or ignores the lessons of the past.

• Policy makers looking to avoid future economic missteps 
• Finance workers who want to spot signs of impending crises
• History lovers ready for a deep dive into economic history

Energy and Power Risk Management (2002) plunges into the wild world of energy trading, where normal market rules don’t exist. You’ll discover how electricity’s unique physical properties create price spikes, learn why weather patterns drive market behavior – and ultimately understand why power markets operate differently from any other financial system. 

• Investors seeking deep insights into complex energy markets
• Energy professionals interested in advanced trading strategies and risk management
• Academics analyzing mathematical models of power market behaviors

The World for Sale (2021) examines the shadowy world of commodity traders who quietly control the global supply of vital resources like oil, metals, and food. It uncovers how these risk-taking traders wield enormous influence by striking high-stakes deals in politically unstable regions. Through vivid stories, it reveals the immense power and ethical complexities of an industry that operates largely outside public scrutiny.

• Curious investors interested in global commodity markets
• Aspiring traders seeking insights into high-stakes deals
• Journalists covering finance, energy, and geopolitical issues

The New Map (2020) illustrates how global power dynamics are being reshaped by the convergence of energy politics, climate change, and international conflicts, particularly between the US, China, Russia, and the Middle East. It analyzes how America’s shale, Russia’s vast gas reserves, China’s growing influence, the Middle East’s adaptation to falling oil prices, and innovations in green tech and renewables are redrawing the world's energy map.

• Politics junkies ready for insights into how energy shapes geopolitics
• Climate activists who want a global snapshot of energy dynamics
• Investors looking for risks and opportunities in the energy sector

House of Huawei (2025) explores the history of one of China’s most powerful and mysterious companies. Over the last few decades, Huawei has quietly transformed into a technological empire, alarming foreign governments – the US in particular.

• Anyone who’s curious about Huawei’s background
• People interested in the Chinese tech boom
• Anyone who wants a better understanding of the tense relationship between China and the US

Kaput (2024) dismantles the myth of invincibility surrounding Europe’s economic powerhouse. You’ll discover how decades of collusion between industry and politics left the nation vulnerable to energy shocks, digital stagnation, and dependence on authoritarian regimes. This is a sharp wake-up call for anyone invested in where Germany – and by extension, Europe – is headed next.

• Economics students looking into European economic decline
• Business leaders reliant on German supply chains
• German citizens wondering what’s going on with their economy

The Trading Game (2024) is a gripping account of the author’s journey from the streets of East London to becoming the youngest and most profitable trader in the city, handling nearly a trillion dollars daily. It reveals the dark reality of a banking culture where success means betting on economic collapse, where winning feels like losing, and quitting risks everything.

• Young professionals considering careers in banking and trading
• Ordinary people concerned about wealth inequality
• Anyone looking to for a gripping David and Goliath story

Money (2023) explores the evolving relationship between humans and money over the past 5,000 years, from its origins in Mesopotamian clay tablets to modern cryptocurrencies. It traces how money has continually adapted to changing technologies, economies, and societies, shaping human behavior as much as being shaped by it. 

• History enthusiasts curious about money’s evolution
• Economics students seeking engaging, real-world insights
• General readers interested in financial systems and society

Platformland (2004) explores how the future of public services could look more like a well-run platform than a pile of paperwork. It shows how governments can rebuild trust, deliver smarter services, and take back control in a digital world dominated by tech giants. With sharp insights and real-world examples it explains why the quiet architecture of public infrastructure matters more than ever.

• Policy makers and public sector professionals
• Tech entrepreneurs and innovators
• Digital designers and developers

When Markets Collide (2008) explores the major global shifts disrupting markets and challenges investors to rethink how they read signals and manage risk. It shows how mispricings and investor behavior reveal real opportunities – and how smart allocation and discipline can protect portfolios through uncertainty.

• Investors seeking to navigate global market disruptions
• Finance professionals rethinking asset allocation strategies
• Anyone curious about behavioral finance and risk signals

On the Brink (2010) offers a behind-the-scenes account of the 2008 financial crisis from the perspective of the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson. It follows the intense negotiations, high-stakes decisions, and unprecedented government interventions aimed at preventing a global economic collapse. Through firsthand insight, it reveals the complexity and urgency of managing a financial system on the verge of disaster.

• Economics students studying financial crises
• Policymakers navigating systemic risk
• Anyone interested in global finance

Hate the Game (2025) explores how individuals navigate a win-lose economy where everyday decisions – like where to work, live, or invest time – can feel rigid and high-stakes. Drawing on game theory, economics, and behavioral science, it breaks down how we can better understand the strategic nature of our choices. 

• People feeling stuck in today’s economic system
• Readers curious about game theory in real life
• Anyone seeking smarter strategies for everyday decisions

Clashing Over Commerce (2017) traces the evolution of US trade policy from the founding era to the twenty-first century, focusing on the political and economic forces that shaped it. It explores the recurring debates between protectionism and free trade, showing how these conflicts reflect deeper shifts in national priorities and global engagement.

• Curious historians of American economic policy
• Policy-focused economists studying trade dynamics
• Anyone interested in US trade or politics

Our Dollar, Your Problem (2025) examines how the US dollar achieved global dominance through a combination of strategic positioning and fortunate circumstances, while demonstrating that this supremacy is increasingly vulnerable to challenges from cryptocurrencies, China's yuan, and America's own fiscal overconfidence.

• Policymakers who want to understand the inherent risks of dollar dominance
• Investors anticipating how currency shifts could reshape global financial markets
• Business leaders preparing for potential global economic challenges

Power and Progress (2023) examines how technological advancements have shaped economic outcomes over the past millennium, often benefiting elites while leaving many behind. It argues that the distribution of power determines whether innovation leads to shared prosperity or deepening inequality. By analyzing both historical and modern examples, it highlights the need for deliberate choices to ensure technology serves the broader public good.

• History buffs interested in economic power
• Critical policymakers focused on technology’s social impact
• Anyone seeking insight into inequality

Scaling Up Compensation (2021) explores how companies can design intentional, strategic compensation systems that align with their culture and values. It outlines five key principles to help businesses reward employees fairly, drive performance, and avoid common pitfalls in pay structures. It emphasizes that compensation isn’t just a cost but a tool for growth and engagement.

• Ambitious HR leaders designing strategic compensation systems
• Growth-focused founders scaling company culture and rewards
• Curious professionals seeking smarter pay and incentive ideas

How Countries Go Broke (2025) offers a sweeping tour through history, tracing the recurring patterns that shape the rise and fall of national economies. It shows how financial, political, and social forces repeatedly converge, creating cycles that drive countries toward prosperity… or ruin. While we can’t predict the future with perfect accuracy, we can see that certain warning signs – like mounting debt and systemic vulnerabilities – consistently play a central role in economic collapse.

• Anyone curious about economic history and financial crises
• Investors and financial professionals
• People concerned about the world’s economic future

Getting Competitive (2020) explores how India can strengthen its manufacturing sector to become a globally competitive economy. It argues that outdated policies and management models must be replaced with approaches built on trust, collaboration, and long-term partnerships among industry, labor, and government. Drawing on real-world examples, it offers practical guidance for driving growth and reducing socioeconomic disparities.

• Ambitious policymakers seeking practical economic reform strategies
• Forward-looking business leaders focused on manufacturing growth
• Anybody interested in India’s economic future

From Third World to First (2000) details the improbable story of how a tiny, resource-poor island was transformed into a global economic powerhouse within a single generation. You will discover the unsentimental and pragmatic strategies used to forge a nation out of a divided populace. It is an inside account of the tough, often controversial, decisions required to navigate a perilous world and secure a future for a nation that few believed would survive.

• Students of political leadership and nation-building
• Anyone curious about Asia’s economic development and growth models
• Leaders seeking lessons in long-term strategic planning and governance

How Progress Ends (2025) traces the fragile balance between chaos and order that drives technological advancement. It examines why this balance breaks down and how both America and China now risk the stagnation that comes when incumbents block disruptive innovation. Nations rise when they match the right system to the moment – and fall when they don't.

• Historians exploring the long-term drivers of national economic destinies
• Policymakers crafting strategies for national innovation and industrial growth
• Business leaders navigating technological disruption and corporate stagnation

The Fractured Age (2025) argues that globalization isn’t ending – instead, it’s transforming into distinct economic regions that will reshape everything from trade routes to technology standards over the next decade. The analysis reveals how geopolitical tensions have turned economic tools into weapons, forcing companies and countries to accept higher costs and fewer choices as the price of alignment.

• Executives and strategists navigating supply chain decisions and market entry choices
• Entrepreneurs determining which markets to enter and which partnerships to pursue
• Anyone wanting more context about tariffs, sanctions, and emerging global trade blocs

Chokepoints (2025) is a riveting, thought-provoking, thorough tale of how the United States has transformed economic warfare in the modern age. It shows how sanctions, asset freezes, and export controls have reshaped geopolitics, from crippling Iran’s oil profits to gutting China’s technological ambitions. Finally, it proves that in a world supposedly governed by market forces, it’s state power that ultimately reigns supreme.

• Anyone fascinated by global affairs and economic statecraft
• Economics and history buffs
• Fans of political drama

The World’s Worst Bet (2025) tells the gripping story of how America’s faith in free trade and open markets reshaped the world – and backfired at home. From factory towns hollowed out by the China shock to fragile supply chains exposed by the pandemic, it traces the human and political fallout of an era once sold as inevitable progress.

• Anyone curious about global affairs
• Policy wonks and news junkies
• People who enjoy a big, sweeping story

The Age of Extraction (2025) argues that dominant digital platforms have shifted from creating value to extracting it from users, suppliers, and the wider economy. It traces how weakened antitrust enforcement and data-driven network effects allowed monopoly power to entrench itself across sectors, from retail and media to AI. It sketches a path to rebalance power – through tougher competition policy and utility-style rules – so innovation and prosperity are more widely shared.

• Policy-minded regulators and antitrust enforcement staff
• Data-savvy tech operators, product managers, and founders
• Anyone interested in tech power and competition policy

The New Geography of Innovation (2025) explores how cutting-edge technologies and high-growth startups are increasingly emerging outside traditional hubs such as Silicon Valley, reshaping the global innovation map. It investigates why certain regions suddenly become hotspots for breakthrough technologies, how government policy, talent, capital, and geopolitics interact in that process, and what this shift means for economic and technological power in the decades ahead.

• Strategically minded policymakers shaping innovation and industrial strategy
• Ambitious entrepreneurs eyeing tech hubs beyond Silicon Valley
• Anyone seeking insight into shifting global power

Capitalism (2025) chronicles the birth and development of our current economic system, tracing a thousand years of history across six continents. Developing from diverse trading networks spanning Asia, Africa, and Europe, capitalism explosively reshaped the world—with enslaved labor camps serving as a crucial launchpad. This work reveals that what now feels inevitable is actually a recent human creation, one that has never matched the ideal of free markets and whose reach still has limits.

• Readers curious about how our current economic system came to dominate the world
• History enthusiasts interested in understanding global connections between different regions and time periods
• Students and scholars of economics, politics, or sociology seeking a broad historical perspective on capitalism's development

So You Want to Own Greenland? (2025) explores how one vast, icy island keeps drawing the attention of explorers, empires, and superpowers. From vanished Viking settlements to underground Cold War military bases, Greenland’s story is full of twists and turns. It unpacks how history, geopolitics, and climate are colliding to make Greenland an unexpected headline grabber while the nation continues to try and shape its own future.

• People interested in global politics
• History lovers who like stories that connect ancient and modern events
• Anyone curious about Greenland

The Triangle of Power (2026) asks an important question: who actually decides how the world is run now that the old rules no longer hold. Drawing on wars, trade shocks, and shifting alliances, Alexander Stubb maps a world pulled between the Global West, the Global East, and a rising Global South with more leverage than ever before. It explains what’s breaking, what still works, and what kind of order might realistically come next.

• Anyone interested in a coherent narrative explaining the current geopolitical climate
• Lifelong learners curious about international relations
• Policy wonks and global investors concerned about the future