Bookshelf

Henry George remains my favorite writer on political economy. Some might consider him and his thoughts idealistic, but it's precisely that sensible and optimistic humanism that so moves me.A collection of essays, Social Problems, expands on George's critique of economic inequality and the failures of existing institutions in addressing poverty despite various societal and technological advancements: "The Paradox of Progress". In it, George delivers prescient analyses on role of government and democracy, the "land question", social reform and education, and the tendency to industrial concentration/monopoly, all the while maintaining his through, clear, and engaging writing throughout.Everything reads as so sensible that I wouldn't be shocked if you walk away thinking "how are we not already doing all this??"I'd recommend reading this before wrestling with his seminal [b:Progress and Poverty: An Inquiry in the Cause of Industrial Depressions and of Increase of Want with Increase of Wealth... The Remedy|552175|Progress and Poverty An Inquiry in the Cause of Industrial Depressions and of Increase of Want with Increase of Wealth... The Remedy|Henry George|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1266583662l/552175._SY75_.jpg|539415], and after having read some cursory (e.g. Wikipedia) article on "Georgism".

Great book with beautiful writing. Some interesting lines in there on topics that require further personal investigation — will be thinking much about formal systems in the coming weeks.Debated between 4 and 5 stars since the momentum of the book petered slightly towards the end. Finally, it was the many well-done metaphors that tipped the scales.Good (fictional) continuation having read [b:The General and the Genius: Groves and Oppenheimer—The Unlikely Partnership that Built the Atom Bomb|23258873|The General and the Genius Groves and Oppenheimer—The Unlikely Partnership that Built the Atom Bomb|James W. Kunetka|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1414003532l/23258873._SY75_.jpg|42799893] and [b:The Man from the Future: The Visionary Ideas of John von Neumann|61089520|The Man from the Future The Visionary Ideas of John von Neumann|Ananyo Bhattacharya|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654912718l/61089520._SX50_.jpg|87473392]

Exceptional. I'd last read this as a high schooler and it's even better than I remember--which says a lot, given the high bar set by rose-tinted nostalgia.