Adam Smith Popular Books
Adam Smith Biography & Facts
Adam Smith (baptised 16 June [O.S. 5 June] 1723 – 17 July 1790) was a Scottish economist and philosopher who was a pioneer in the thinking of political economy and key figure during the Scottish Enlightenment. Seen by some as "The Father of Economics" or "The Father of Capitalism", he wrote two classic works, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776). The latter, often abbreviated as The Wealth of Nations, is considered his magnum opus and the first modern work that treats economics as a comprehensive system and as an academic discipline. Smith refuses to explain the distribution of wealth and power in terms of God's will and instead appeals to natural, political, social, economic, legal, environmental and technological factors and the interactions among them. Among other economic theories, the work introduced Smith's idea of absolute advantage. Smith studied social philosophy at the University of Glasgow and at Balliol College, Oxford, where he was one of the first students to benefit from scholarships set up by fellow Scot John Snell. After graduating, he delivered a successful series of public lectures at the University of Edinburgh, leading him to collaborate with David Hume during the Scottish Enlightenment. Smith obtained a professorship at Glasgow, teaching moral philosophy and during this time, wrote and published The Theory of Moral Sentiments. In his later life, he took a tutoring position that allowed him to travel throughout Europe, where he met other intellectual leaders of his day. As a reaction to the common policy of protecting national markets and merchants through minimizing imports and maximizing exports, what came to be known as mercantilism, Smith laid the foundations of classical free market economic theory. The Wealth of Nations was a precursor to the modern academic discipline of economics. In this and other works, he developed the concept of division of labour and expounded upon how rational self-interest and competition can lead to economic prosperity. Smith was controversial in his own day and his general approach and writing style were often satirised by writers such as Horace Walpole. Biography Early life Smith was born in Kirkcaldy, in Fife, Scotland. His father, Adam Smith senior, was a Scottish Writer to the Signet (senior solicitor), advocate and prosecutor (judge advocate) and also served as comptroller of the customs in Kirkcaldy. Smith's mother was born Margaret Douglas, daughter of the landed Robert Douglas of Strathendry, also in Fife; she married Smith's father in 1720. Two months before Smith was born, his father died, leaving his mother a widow. The date of Smith's baptism into the Church of Scotland at Kirkcaldy was 5 June 1723 and this has often been treated as if it were also his date of birth, which is unknown. Although few events in Smith's early childhood are known, the Scottish journalist John Rae, Smith's biographer, recorded that Smith was abducted by Romani at the age of three and released when others went to rescue him. Smith was close to his mother, who probably encouraged him to pursue his scholarly ambitions. He attended the Burgh School of Kirkcaldy—characterised by Rae as "one of the best secondary schools of Scotland at that period"—from 1729 to 1737, he learned Latin, mathematics, history, and writing. Formal education Smith entered the University of Glasgow at age 14 and studied moral philosophy under Francis Hutcheson. Here he developed his passion for the philosophical concepts of reason, civilian liberties, and free speech. In 1740, he was the graduate scholar presented to undertake postgraduate studies at Balliol College, Oxford, under the Snell Exhibition. Smith considered the teaching at Glasgow to be far superior to that at Oxford, which he found intellectually stifling. In Book V, Chapter II of The Wealth of Nations, he wrote: "In the University of Oxford, the greater part of the public professors have, for these many years, given up altogether even the pretence of teaching." Smith is also reported to have complained to friends that Oxford officials once discovered him reading a copy of David Hume's A Treatise of Human Nature, and they subsequently confiscated his book and punished him severely for reading it. According to William Robert Scott, "The Oxford of [Smith's] time gave little if any help towards what was to be his lifework." Nevertheless, he took the opportunity while at Oxford to teach himself several subjects by reading many books from the shelves of the large Bodleian Library. When Smith was not studying on his own, his time at Oxford was not a happy one, according to his letters. Near the end of his time there, he began suffering from shaking fits, probably the symptoms of a nervous breakdown. He left Oxford University in 1746, before his scholarship ended. In Book V of The Wealth of Nations, Smith comments on the low quality of instruction and the meager intellectual activity at English universities, when compared to their Scottish counterparts. He attributes this both to the rich endowments of the colleges at Oxford and Cambridge, which made the income of professors independent of their ability to attract students, and to the fact that distinguished men of letters could make an even more comfortable living as ministers of the Church of England. Smith's discontent at Oxford might be in part due to the absence of his beloved teacher in Glasgow, Francis Hutcheson, who was well regarded as one of the most prominent lecturers at the University of Glasgow in his day and earned the approbation of students, colleagues, and even ordinary residents with the fervor and earnestness of his orations (which he sometimes opened to the public). His lectures endeavoured not merely to teach philosophy, but also to make his students embody that philosophy in their lives, appropriately acquiring the epithet, the preacher of philosophy. Unlike Smith, Hutcheson was not a system builder; rather, his magnetic personality and method of lecturing so influenced his students and caused the greatest of those to reverentially refer to him as "the never to be forgotten Hutcheson"—a title that Smith in all his correspondence used to describe only two people, his good friend David Hume and influential mentor Francis Hutcheson. Teaching career Smith began delivering public lectures in 1748 at the University of Edinburgh, sponsored by the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh under the patronage of Lord Kames. His lecture topics included rhetoric and belles-lettres, and later the subject of "the progress of opulence". On this latter topic, he first expounded his economic philosophy of "the obvious and simple system of natural liberty". While Smith was not adept at public speaking, his lectures met with success. In 1750, Smith met the philosopher David Hume, who was his senior by more than a decade. In their writings covering history, politic.... Discover the Adam Smith popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Adam Smith books.
Best Seller Adam Smith Books of 2024
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Adam Smith
Craig SmithAlmost everyone has heard of Adam Smith, founding father of modern economics and author of Wealth of Nations. There is, however, much more to him than this. This new introduct...
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The Capital
Karl MarxCapital by Karl Marx is a foundational theoretical text in materialist philosophy, economics and politics. Marx aimed to reveal the economic patterns underpinning the capitalist mo...
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American Capitalism
Louis Hyman & Edward E. BaptistFrom Cornell University Professors Louis Hyman and Edward E. Baptist, a collection of the most relevant readings on the history of capitalism in America, created to accompany their...
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Adam Smith
Jean-Gustave Courcelle-SeneuilBnF collection ebooks "Le Travail annuel d'une nation est le fond primitif qui fournit à sa consommation annuelle toutes les choses nécessaires et commodes à la vie ; et ces chose...
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How to Lead
David M. RubensteinThe New York Times Bestseller #1 Wall Street Journal BestsellerThe essential leadership playbook. Learn the principles and guiding philosophies of Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Ruth Bade...
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KARL MARX Ultimate Collection
Karl MarxMusaicum Books presents to you a meticulously edited Karl Marx collection. This ebook has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability ...
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The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy
John BrehmOver 125 poetic companions, from Basho to Billy Collins, Saigyo to Shakespeare.The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy received the Spirituality & Practice Book A...
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Life of Adam Smith
John RaeThe fullest account we possess of the life of Adam Smith is still the memoir which Dugald Stewart read to the Royal Society of Edinburgh on two evenings of the winter of 1793, and ...
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Simply Economics
DKUnderstanding economics has never been easier!Want to learn more about Economics but simply don’t know where to start? Don’t worry DK has got you covered!Simply Economics is the p...
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Adam Smith
50Minutos.esLas claves para entender la vida y obra del padre de la ciencia económica modernaEste libro es una guía práctica y accesible para comprender la vida y obra de Adam Smith, que le ap...
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The Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith & Robert B. ReichAdam Smith’s masterpiece, first published in 1776, is the foundation of modern economic thought and remains the single most important account of the rise of, and the principles beh...
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La llamada de la tribu
Mario Vargas LlosaLa autobiografía intelectual del Premio Nobel de Literatura Mario Vargas Llosa.«La doctrina liberal ha representado desde sus orígenes las formas más avanzadas de la cultura democr...
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The Body Artist
Don DeLilloA stunning novel by the bestselling National Book Award–winning author of White Noise and Underworld.Since the publication of his first novel Americana, Don DeLillo has lived in th...
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Adam Smith
James R. OttesonAdam Smith (1723–90) studied under Francis Hutcheson at the University of Glasgow, befriended David Hume while lecturing on rhetoric and jurisprudence in Edinburgh, was elected Pro...
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Capital
Karl Marx & Ben Fowkes'A groundbreaking work of economic analysis. It is also a literary masterpice' Francis Wheen, GuardianOne of the most notorious and influential works of modern times, Capital is an...
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Adam Smith
James R. OttesonThe Scottish philosopher Adam Smith (17231790) was as a pioneer of political economy. In fact, his economic thought became the foundation of classical economics and his key work, ...
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How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life
Russ RobertsA forgotten book by one of history's greatest thinkers reveals the surprising connections between happiness, virtue, fame, and fortune.Adam Smith may have become the patron saint o...
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Adam Smith
Jean-Gustave Courcelle-Seneuil & LigaranExtrait : "Le Travail annuel d'une nation est le fond primitif qui fournit à sa consommation annuelle toutes les choses nécessaires et commodes à la vie ; et ces choses sont toujou...
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A Conflict of Visions
Thomas SowellThomas Sowell’s “extraordinary” explication of the competing visions of human nature lie at the heart of our political conflicts (New York Times)Controversies in politics arise fro...
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Wycliffe and How to Kill A Cat
W.J. BurleyAnother classic crime novel featuring Cornwall's Superintendent Wycliffe.The girl was young, with auburn hair arranged on the pillow. Wycliffe could almost believe she was asleep ...
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Point Omega
Don DeLilloA brief, unnerving, and exceptionally hardhitting novel about time and loss as only the bestselling and National Book Awardwinning author of White Noise and Underworld can tell it....
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Discrimination and Disparities
Thomas SowellAn enlarged edition of Thomas Sowell's brilliant examination of the origins of economic disparitiesEconomic and other outcomes differ vastly among individuals, groups, and nations....
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Dancing with Myself
Billy IdolA Rolling Stone Top 10 Best Music Books of the Year “That’s what I’m talking about…Of all these memoirs, Dancing With Myself was the only one that stimulated my envymade me want to...
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Your Voice Adam Smith
Adam SmithA handpicked selection of thought provoking quotes from Adam Smith.
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What Adam Smith Knew
James R. OttesonWhat exactly is capitalism, and why do its advocates support it? What are the main objections to capitalism that have been raised by its critics? Are there moral reasons to support...
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The American Crisis
Writers of The AtlanticSome of America’s best reporters and thinkers offer an urgent look at a country in chaos in this collection of timely, often prophetic articles from The Atlantic. The past four yea...
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Why We Lie
David Livingstone SmithDeceit, lying, and falsehoods lie at the very heart of our cultural heritage. Even the founding myth of the JudeoChristian tradition, the story of Adam and Eve, revolves around a l...
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Adam Smith
Nicholas PhillipsonThe great eighteenthcentury British economist Adam Smith (1723–90) is celebrated as the founder of modern economics. Yet Smith saw himself primarily as a philosopher rather than an...
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Wycliffe and the Three Toed Pussy
W.J. BurleyA case involving a dead woman with a deformed foot and a mysterious past requires all Superintendent Wycliffe's investigative skills.The peace of the village of Kergwyns in Cornwal...
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Under Construction
Chrishell StauseFor fans of Open Book and Sell It Like Serhant, a heartfelt, humorous personal memoir and relatable guide to overcoming obstacles, wising up about romance, and getting ahead in you...
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New Ideas from Dead Economists
Todd G. Buchholz"If you read only one economics book this year, read this one.”Larry Summers, Secretary of the Treasury for President Clinton, Director of the National Economic Council for Preside...
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The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober
Catherine GrayTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Not remotely preachy' The Times 'Jaunty, shrewd and convincing' Sunday Telegraph 'Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying.'...
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Worthy
Jada Pinkett SmithTime magazine most anticipated books of 2023 Parade magazine mustread books by celebrities 2023"I went through so many emotions reading this book. Reconnecting to one's ancestors a...
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Adam Smith
Gerhard StremingerAdam Smith (1723–1790) gilt als Begründer der klassischen Nationalökonomie. Der schottische Philosoph und Aufklärer entwickelte die Prinzipien des Wirtschaftsliberalismus: Demnach ...
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The Essential Adam Smith
James OttesonAdam Smith (17231790) is widely hailed as the founding father of the discipline now known as economics, and he is widely credited as the founding father of what is now known as cap...