The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money

This choice is obvious and tough.

The book is notoriously difficult. However, it ranks with Darwin’s Origins of the Species, and Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity as among the most important and revolutionary books ever.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Keynes changed everything in the same way that Darwin and Einstein had. It will change the way you see the world if you make the substantial effort. Keynes argues that it is the organization of our economy around money that causes unemployment—not high wages or lazy workers.

Here’s my one sentence summary: firms only hire the number… show more.

All economists, regardless of whether they profess to be Keynesians or not, have been influenced by Keynes’ General Theory.

I finally read this monumental volume through a copy that I borrowed from the library in the basement under the Department of Economics at Harvard University in the mid-2000s when I was visiting the Department with a short-term summer grant provided by Koc University. I could not help but be influenced by the structure and beauty of its language.

Keynes’ views on ‘animal spirits’ and the role of uncertainty in economic players’ decision-making have also played a role in my… show more.