Thomas Sowell is an economist who has written extensively. This is the second book of his that I have read. This book was relatively short but it took me longer than I thought it would to finish it.
Sowell writes “The difference between seeing economic disparities as due to differences in the production of wealth and seeing those disparities as due to the transfer of wealth from some people to other people is fundamental. History shows that either cause of economic disparities can prevail at particular times and places.”
Sowell covers many topics that address economics. When discussing poverty he writes “Isolation is a recurring factor in poverty and backwardness around the world.”
This book discusses geography and culture and the role those play in economic development. Corruption, government inefficiency, and minimum wage laws are additional topics. Sowell writes “More than simple mistakes are involved in promoting a culture of dependency among those whom government statisticians have chosen to define as living in poverty. A dependent voting constituency is very valuable to politicians”
Sowell also spend time discussing equality. He notes “Whatever the merits of any particular definition of equality of outcomes what must be faced are the consequences of perpetually promoting a fervent crusade perpetually frustrated by its own internal contradictions but whose frustration is instead blamed on some human enemies of a sacred cause.”
There is a lot of information in this book. It presents several theories about economics and can be used for thought provoking discussion. However I had a hard time getting through it and was ready for it to be over by the time I got to the end.
Overall I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.
“What about Roxane?” Alexander asked.
“Your prisoner bride?”
“Such disrespect is worthy of death!”
“There is no possible way that you could love her or that she could truly love you.”
“What gives you the insight to speak so assertively about matters you know nothing about?”
“Daughter of Oxyarthes, the man who surrendered the Iron Gates to you, makes for a very political marriage.”
“Continue,” said Alexander.
“At a feast celebrating your latest victory a number of young women were brought in for entertainment. You spotted one of them whose beauty far surpassed the others and you decided on the spot to marry her once you learned she was the daughter of Oxyarthes. You needed to cement a strong relationship with the local leaders. What better way to do this than through marriage? You didn’t share a common language and never even spoke to each other beforehand. She never was given a choice. So she is your prisoner bride.”
“You have a vague outline of the past. I suppose it is remarkable that you have as much ...
