The Wealth of Nations

What's it about?
This is the seminal work on which much of the modern theory of economics is built - even Marx quoted him! Despite being written in the 1770s it is still very relevant today. Smith is best known for his free market stance, but he is not the one-dimensional hard-line capitalist he is sometimes portrayed as. .

Best Quote:
Difficult, as it is well written with many amusing or satirical observations. "...that insidious and crafty animal...called a politician"
"Our merchants complain of the bad effects of high wages in raising the price and thereby lessening the sales of their goods...They say nothing concerning the bad effects of high profits. They are silent with regard to the pernicious effect of their own gains. They complain only of those of other people."

Posted by: Melita Thomas