Book · 2015 · Economic history, 20th century
Slouching Towards Utopia
Why people recommend it
Slouching Towards Utopia by J. Bradford DeLong is an expansive economic history that chronicles the period from 1870 to 2010, exploring how humanity achieved unprecedented material wealth alongside persistent political and social turbulence. On the podcast The Ezra Klein Show, in the episode titled The Inflation Story Has Changed Dramatically. Paul Krugman Breaks It Down on February 17, 2023, Paul Krugman offered the book as part of a three-item recommendation list at the conclusion of the interview. Krugman highlighted the publication by describing the author, J. Bradford DeLong, as his friend, an accomplished economist, and a historian. The podcast guest explained that the text serves as a comprehensive history covering what the author defines as the long twentieth century. Krugman recommended the work specifically for readers seeking to comprehend how the modern world was fundamentally transformed, noting that the author identifies the year 1870 as the crucial pivot point in modern history. By emphasizing the profound shifts in technology, globalization, and economic organization detailed across the pages, Krugman encouraged listeners to engage with the book to gain a clearer perspective on the origins of contemporary economic realities and the complex trajectory of human progress over the course of the past century and a half.
Who recommended it
- Paul Krugman Recommended
Paul Krugman — 1 mention
“Brad Delong my friend and Economist and historian has this wonderful book called slouching towards Utopia which is a history of what he calls the long 20th century and if you just want to understand how the world changed from he says that 1870 was the pivot point of History you've got to read that book”