Best Economics Books

Discover the unconventional world of economics with this groundbreaking book that challenges conventional wisdom. Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner's "Freakonomics" explores the mysteries of everyday life, from the commonalities between schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers to the secrets of the Ku Klux Klan, revealing how economics is the study of incentives and how people get what they want or need. Featuring insightful storytelling and a fresh perspective, this New York Times bestseller is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the hidden connections in our world.

Explore the inner workings of the mind in this groundbreaking book that explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, emotional, and intuitive while System 2 is slower, more analytical, and logical. Discover the benefits and drawbacks of both systems and learn how to tap into the benefits of slow thinking. With practical insights into decision-making in both our personal and professional lives, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to guard against mental pitfalls and gain a deeper understanding of the way we think.

Discover why we make seemingly irrational decisions in our lives, from overspending on a meal to buying a car, in this groundbreaking and expanded edition of a New York Times bestseller. Author Dan Ariely challenges the assumption that we behave in rational ways and reveals the systematic and predictable nature of our misguided behaviors. Explore fascinating insights into the biases and tendencies that make us predictably irrational in this compelling read.

This classic of economics explores the origins of national wealth, covering topics from the division of labor to free markets. Written in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, this book provides timeless insight into the building blocks of economic prosperity.

Explore the teachings of Henry Hazlitt, a founding vice-president of the Foundation for Economic Education, in his seminal work, Economics in One Lesson. A classic economic primer and a fundamental influence on modern "libertarian" economics, Hazlitt's perspective on free markets, economic liberty, and the dangers of government intervention remains relevant even after more than 50 years since its initial publication. With concise and instructive insights, Hazlitt's efforts to dissemble economic fallacies have been credited with foreseeing the collapse of the global economy. Discover the timeless wisdom of Hazlitt's anti-deficit stance, committed to non-governmental solutions.

Discover how every choice we make is influenced by biases and learn how to nudge yourself towards better decision-making. Nobel Prize-winning economist Richard H. Thaler and Harvard Law professor Cass R. Sunstein provide eye-opening examples and decades of research to show that our choices are never neutral. Using "choice architecture," we can nudge ourselves and others towards decisions that benefit our families, society, and planet without limiting our freedom of choice. A must-read for anyone looking to enhance their decision-making skills.

This groundbreaking book takes a deep dive into economic history, analyzing the rising inequality of the past two centuries. Winner of multiple book awards and hailed by critics as an intellectual tour de force, it aims to revolutionize the way we think about wealth and its distribution. With sweeping insight and thorough research, the author presents an important study of inequality that cannot be ignored.

This classic work in political philosophy, intellectual and cultural history, and economics explores the dangers of state control over the means of production. Originally published in 1944, The Road to Serfdom inspired and infuriated politicians and intellectuals. For author F. A. Hayek, empowering the government with increasing economic control would lead not to utopia but to the horrors of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. A perennial bestseller, the book has sold 400,000 copies in the US and has been translated into over twenty languages. This new edition includes a foreword, standardization of references, and helpful explanatory notes.

Discover how economics can solve the toughest social and political problems of our time with this ambitious and thought-provoking read. Prize-winning economists Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo challenge traditional western-centric thinking and offer insights on key issues such as migration, trade, growth, polarization, and welfare. With a precise and accessible approach, they candidly explore the complexities and uncertainties of economic theory, proving that Good Economics can be done right.

Explore the radical notion that real-life humans, with all our biases and irrational tendencies, are the central agents in the economy. In Misbehaving, Nobel laureate Richard H. Thaler shares his hilarious and inspiring journey to bring economics back down to earth, revealing how our misbehavior has serious consequences. Discover how behavioral economics opens up new ways to look at everything from household finance to assigning faculty offices, all while providing entertaining stories of Thaler's spirited battles with traditional economic thinking.