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 enlarge | Author: John Steele Gordon
Publisher: Harpercollins
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy New: $10.76
You Save: $5.19 (33%)
New (8) Used (10) from $6.78
Avg. Customer Rating:  41 reviews
Sales Rank: 925483
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 496
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.3 x 1
ASIN: B000GG4LPI
Publication Date: November 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new book
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| Customer Reviews:
 You will not find a more readable or entertaining book on U.S. Economic History April 22, 2007
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
An Empire of Wealth - The Epic History of American Economic Power, by John Steele Gordon, is a marvelous one volume narrative on the economic history of the United States. While Gordon's work is clearly not ground breaking in terms of research, he synthesizes four hundred years of progress into a very readable and even entertaining book. Writing anything on this topic in such a fashion is clearly a challenge and one the author certainly aces.
Gordon writes about the root causes and pivotal events, inventions and American ingenuity that propelled the economy upward. He also handles the precipitants of economic downturns and depressions very concisely. His ability to put into context many statistics is something that more academic writers could learn from. The book is loaded with "gems". Include are: "Considered as a `public work,' the GI Bill proved to be the Erie Canal of the new, postindustrial economy that was then, quite unrecognized, coming into being". On capitalism and industry (with specific regard to Standard Oil), "Monopolies, like everyone else, want to maximize their profits, not their prices. Lower prices, which increase demand, and increased efficiency, which cuts costs, is usually the best way to achieve the highest possible profits". Gordon also handles the political aspects of all periods very well with valid criticisms of Jefferson and Jackson and insightful writing on Hoover, Roosevelt and Reagan. While he is obviously a free market thinker it does not cloud his reasoning about the need for a central bank, missing after Jackson disbanded the Bank of the United States. He also notes Keynes "General Theory" and the role for government spending in a depressed economy.
The reader is given a bibliography of some great books about American history that, while largely not academic in nature, are intellectually stimulating and allow for further reading on a topic that perhaps was covered in this book in less detail than might have been desired. This is a very well written and fascinating read. If a reader has any interest at all in this topic, it is very much a must read.
Engrossing and thorough April 4, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a marvelous history book which I enjoyed a lot. Besides,it is beautifully written and never dull. By reading this book, I was able to fathom America's economic might. Amid praise, I have to say that I object certain comments made throughout the book by Mr. Gordon because, more than fact, they seem to convey his bias as a deeply conservative thinker. Nevertheless, the story that evolves through the pages of this book is truly an epic. This book manages to be informative and entertaining at the same time. The book itself is easy to read (close to double space between lines) and has a handsome cover. I am looking forward to read other books authored by Mr. Gordon.
One of my Favorite authors February 6, 2007
1 out of 8 found this review helpful
One of my favorite books I read was "The Great Game" by John Steele Gordon
which is the reason why I bought this book, it was very informative but it got me upset a lot for some reason that I haven't been able to identify yet
I had to quit reading it with 75 pages left
It would be a great book if I were a Capitalist which I am not, I think I got really angry because I was reading about how Capitalism really is I did learn a lot about my country though which is more saddening than anything though
1. money-stock market and corporations
2. beauty-Hollywood and whores
A must-buy for any amateur historian December 27, 2006
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Exciting. Filled with stunning statistics meshed with lively interpretations and many surprises. This book is really a survey of American history, but from one perspective: the development of America's capital wealth and influence. What is fascinating is that this string of events that made the USA what is is were largely unrelated. Stuff just happened, although sometimes one need prompted an opportunity or solution. No grand plan drove the events, inventions, improvements, developments. They happened because of the relationship of need, opportunity, and free enterprise.
This book should be in every historian's library. Do yourself a favor and get it. I thank Gordon for a wonderful book.
Roger S. Peterson
Economic history at its finest December 16, 2006
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
American Economic history is an amazing story and this is one of the few books that chronicles it well. If you want to understand how the United States is the industrial power it is today than this is the book for you. While I feel it leaves out some of the institution ideas that make our economy strong it gets the technological and political ones right on the head. Gordon writes very well and you feel as though you are ready a story as opposed to history. This is highly recommended for anyone trying to understand our history today.
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