The Commanding Heights

Gary Becker Winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics, 1992 An absorbing, well-written narrative of the victory of market forces over communism and socialism. The authors effectively and dramatically show how ideas and events combined to produce the most important economic revolution of the second half of this century. Yegor Gaidar Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Russia The Commanding Heights captures the modern world's most crucial changes in a dramatic and vivid way. This book will be invaluable for readers in every part of the world -- decision makers and general readers alike -- for its ideas will be instrumental in helping the global community prepare for the twenty-first century. Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter Harvard Business School, Author of World Class: Thriving Locally in the Global Economy The Commanding Heights persuasively and powerfully identifies today's and tomorrow's critical challenges for government policy and corporate action. Whether enthralled by the prospects of ever-expanding free markets or anxious about the social fallout of market excesses, readers will benefit from the book's compelling economic histories of key world regions showing how they are coping with change on the cusp of a new century. Adam Smith Author of Paper Money With great clarity and intelligence, the authors have written one of the central stories of our time. We have a torrent of information -- discordant, cacophonous, dissonant -- from TV, PCs, and print. The great accomplishment of The Commanding Heights is to make sense of this confusing scene. John Browne Chief Executive, BP (British Petroleum) The Commanding Heights conveys the new reality of the world economy with a sure grasp and a unique vision. It is stimulating, topical, and very well written. The depth of the analysis and the geographic breadth are overwhelming. It is a resounding achievement -- and essential reading for anyone engaged in international business. George P. Shultz Former U.S. Secretary of State and Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury A stunning and eminently readable account of how the market has captured the commanding heights of economic thinking. Transforming economic analysis into a compelling narrative, the authors give us a comprehensive picture of an unfolding and dramatic story. It is as engrossing as it is instructive. Lawrence Summers There has been a revolution in economic thought every bit as profound in its implications as any other scientific revolution. The Commanding Heights tells the story of changes that have been world-transforming. It's a compelling guide to the 21st century economy. Valery Giscard D'Estaing Former President of France The crowning achievement of The Commanding Heights is that it illuminates today's profound changes through the great sweep of history.