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The Wealth of Nations
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 36 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Politics & Social Sciences, Politics & Government
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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.
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Summary
The foundation for all modern economic thought and political economy, The Wealth of Nations is the magnum opus of Scottish economist Adam Smith, who introduces the world to the very idea of economics and capitalism in the modern sense of the words. Smith details his argument in five books:
- Book I. Of the Causes of Improvement in the Productive Power of Labour
- Book II. Of the Nature, Accumulation, and Employment of Stock Introduction
- Book III. Of the Different Progress of Opulence in Different Nations
- Book IV. Of Systems of Political Economy
- Book V. Of the Revenue of the Sovereign or Commonwealth
Taken together, these books form a giant leap forward in the field of economics. A product of the "Age of Enlightenment," The Wealth of Nations is a must for all who wish to gain a better understanding of the principles upon which all modern capitalistic economies have been founded and the process of wealth creation that is engendered by those principles.
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What listeners say about The Wealth of Nations
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 06-07-17
Good but pace yourself
Really enjoyed this book and pretty much every sentence is interesting but it can be heavy and draining.
Also, seriously, brush up on how much guineas and shillings are worth otherwise a lot of the analogies will be lost. I got very confused when he starts comparing how many guineas are paid per bushel of wheat compared to how many florins per hogs head of ale.
23 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- G Douglas Whistler
- 08-08-18
Important, but dull
Very well read, by a clear- & well-intoned reader, & putting forward economically foundational & politically intriguing positions (which inform a historical & contemporary understanding of Western poltical-economy), I found this book, nonetheless, quite dull - which is a pity. In part, this perceived flaw is a result of the format - audiobooks being less well-equipped to engagingly & comparatively present statistical & numerical data than the printed page -, but it should also be born in mind that I finished it, an event unlikely (I should imagine) if I were to attempt to read the printed text. I'm thinking of this as an 'important' book, but which I hope never to read (or hear read) again.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Modestas
- 15-01-18
Economic development
Quite long book, I listened for a months, but it was worth it. the book helps develop your economic understanding.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ras
- 17-12-18
Not a pleasant listening despite its greatness
The content of the book is certainly remarkable but it is excessively long and detailed in some chapters. The narrator speaks clearly but without any engagement with the text. He is so monotone that you can feel the narrator's boredom while listening to him. Overall, the narration is not enjoyable. I would definitely not recommend this audiobook to anyone despite its occasionally highly interesting contents.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Max
- 12-05-20
Intersting but overrated
If you want to learn about economics Yanis Varifakous, Richard Wolf, Mark Blyth or Karl Marx would probably be better time spent.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- ejaik
- 10-04-18
still fresh after several centuries
This book is the Hallmark of clear thinking and concise writing. An exercise in logic, moral thought and basic economics.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alírio d.
- 06-04-18
After years waiting for it...
It has it all, and I mean all plus some!
It reads like all the epic business, finances, economics, marketing, sociology and politics books start and end here, 1776... What a brain!
Excellent narrator, however, for this book, my choice would have been one "more with the times" of the literary oeuvre(and I do mean the voice and style).
Best thirty six hours divided three!
Alirio da Silva.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Yassin Musa
- 19-12-20
Gildart Jackson is the perfect choice to narrate
The narration was just excellent. This book is much more than just economics, a must have for everyone regardless of what one is interested.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- james F.
- 18-09-20
Very interesting book.
Its a long, long book, but worth it. The old school language was quite difficult to get my head around, as well as the Old weights, measures and currency. Overall, absolutely fascinating, especially give that this was written in 1790 something and is still very relevant in todays modern.economy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CHIGOZIE
- 26-05-19
Done very well
excellent! not an easy book to cover but read very well here by the narrator.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- CHET YARBROUGH
- 20-01-15
ADAM SMITH
“The Wealth of Nations” is often referred to but rarely read or listened to in the 21st century. Thirty Six hours of an audio book is punishing. However, one is surprised by Adam Smith’s prescient understanding of the value of freedom and his appreciation of American and British conflict over American’ colonization. “The Wealth of Nations” is not only about economics. It is about politics as an essential ingredient of economics.
Visiting “The Wealth of Nations” is a worthwhile journey into history. One wonders–Is there a 21st century Adam Smith in America’s future or is he/she pottering around Asia, Europe, the Middle East, or Africa and not yet recognized? Is there an alternative to free market capitalism that insures freedom and offers prosperity?
44 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Monte
- 12-03-12
Amazingly accessible
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Absolutely. I had thought the Smith had anticipated much of our current understanding of the way markets function. Instead, he had all of the fundamentals figured out. I was fearing that it would be quite obscure in topic and language, but found it pleasantly accessible, if perhaps a bit long.
As as reading the classics, I would definitely recommend this.
Who was your favorite character and why?
The market.
What about Gildart Jackson’s performance did you like?
It fit the material.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
The Way Your World Works
44 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Frank
- 03-06-11
Loved the Narrator
The writings herein is brought forth with great workmanship of speech. Recording was wonderful and enjoyable through all 5 books.
35 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rishi Tiwari
- 13-02-18
The Wealth of Ages
The book is great compilation of financial data, non-mercantile philosophy and an insight into the mind of the author and his thoroughness amazes me. It is no doubt that collecting all this data back in his time would have been an achievement in itself.
I feel a better understanding of the very fundamentals of economy and society. Interestingly, although unintentional, one can learn a lot about the roots of many words and phrases we commonly use today without them making direct sense to us in modern context.
It is hard to retain all the information contained in this laborious book though and ancient data often becomes a drag when listening to it.
I would suggest readers that if they can find an abridged copy of the book or a commentary on this book which skips the tedious ancient data but retains the original content on philosophy, social and political impact of economic policies and general humour and observations of this very learned author then it would be perhaps a more enjoyable reading than the current tome.
The wisdom speaks through the ages here.
15 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shawn
- 07-01-13
Very interesting
What made the experience of listening to The Wealth of Nations the most enjoyable?
I am very interested in the history of capitalism and this book was very educational.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Adam Smith
What does Gildart Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He sounds like what I would expect someone from the time period of the book's writing to have sounded like; very aristocratic and educated. There are references in the book to our American colonies and Mr. Jackson's reading made is seem like it had just happened a short time prior.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Not possible. I listen to the book when I am hiking which allows me to focus on the content.
Any additional comments?
This is not a story book it is actually a text book or scholarly analysis. If you are in to economics, capitalism, or business, then this book is for you. I have read some of the book but l found listening to it to be a more effective way of absorbing it.
14 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CJA
- 26-05-15
Classic
Especially an economic classic because even though the currencies & trades discussed are dated to his era, the logic of his tax policies, national debt/fiscal responsibilities are eerily the exact same issues of importance today.
There is much material directly relating to the American Revolution, you can experience the frustrations of the colonists as Adam Smith (although he writes from his perspective as a British Citizen in Europe) describes in real time their dilemma & you can somewhat anticipate the oncoming Revolution by his thorough examination of their confrontation in regards to their lack of representation.
He also makes many predictions especially about American prosperity that are eerily true today exposing his insight, intuition, & intellect about the future.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Wanderer
- 09-05-16
Worth the Effort
The most misused and misquoted author I think I have ever read. This is a book equal to Origin of Species in importance or Descent of Man. If you want to understand the way our economic system works, this is where to start. A brilliant life's work.
17 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Bob
- 31-05-11
Simply a classic. Much better audio this time.
A couple of years ago, I purchased this title and really struggled with the quality of the audio. This newer edition is much better. As for the content, it is what it is. A classic that is the foundations to our current understanding of economics. It has great historical value but is not really an easy read. For me, its just something I had to get being an avid student in economics. I won't be giving a review of the subject matter since it is what it is and many have done much better that i could ever do. Just wanted to say this version has great audio!
31 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Ha2tim
- 28-12-13
Long but worth it
What did you love best about The Wealth of Nations?
After hearing about Adam Smith and he being quoted time and time again, I finally decided to give him a listen, because I knew that I would not have the time or dedication to make through the book. I had built up my listening stamina through the years i have had Audible and began the journey. This is not a light listen, you will have to trudge through but the insights you receive will be worth it.
What does Gildart Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
excellent reading voice, brought it to life as much as it is possible to bring a book about economics to life.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I was shocked that the "invisible hand of the market" statement I heard quoted was not as big and powerful idea as i thought.
Any additional comments?
If you are trying to understand the basics of how economies work this is a good start.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- wbiro
- 11-05-18
A Loooong Broad and Detailed Window into the Past
The first dozen chapters or so are still useful as an Economics 101 textbook. The middle chapters are more useful now as a history of minute details (right down to current rates of commodities in shillings and thrupence), and (if you look beneath what the author was ostensibly conveying), you will detect the dominant guiding mindsets and attitudes of the time. The last third of the book broadens the subject matter again. During the middle third, I had to take several breaks from it, listening to several other audiobooks during the interim. The author added insight as to the impact of various government systems and measures on an economy.
3 people found this helpful