Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2026-05-08
Books mentioned on 674. How Does a Composer Feel After the World Premiere?
Great. Then depressed.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Wealth of Nations
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith is a foundational 1776 text in economics that investigates the nature and causes of national prosperity through division of labor, free markets, and supply systems.
Discussed“I caught up with David Lang about a week after the last of the four performances of The Wealth of Nations, and I asked what it felt like to work on a big new piece like this for years...”
Where to get it
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Adam Smith’s America
Adam Smith’s America by Glory M.
Discussed“In her book, Liu argues that Adam Smith is often used selectively by the right, by the left, by free market evangelists, and by their critics.”
Where to get it
