Die besten 53 Bücher zu US Economics

The Origin of Wealth shows us the inadequacies of the economic theories that underpin our understanding of economics. The book argues that economic actors shouldn’t be seen as rational consumers that act on their self-interest. Rather, economics is best understood as a complex system of adaptation, similar to evolution, where products, ideas, and ideology compete for survival.

• Students and scholars of economic science
• Anyone interested in economics, social sciences or business   
• Business leaders, economists and politicians

In 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism Ha-Joon Chang destroys the biggest myths of our current economic approach. He explains how, despite what most economists believe, there are many things wrong with free market capitalism. As well as explaining the problems, Chang also offers possible solutions which could help us build a better, fairer world.

• Students of economics who are fed up with mainstream teaching
• Anyone who takes an interest in the financial crisis and why nobody saw it coming
• Anyone wondering why levels of inequality are so high

Economics: The User’s Guide lays out the foundational concepts of economics in an easily relatable and compelling way. Examining the history of economics as well as some critical changes to global economic institutions, this book will teach you everything you need to know about how economics works today.

• Anyone interested in the history of economics
• Anyone interested in the intersection of politics and economics
• Anyone who dozed through Economics 101 in college

The Wealth of Nations is a profoundly influential work in the study of economics and examines exactly how nations become wealthy. Adam Smith advocates that by allowing individuals to freely pursue their own self-interest in a free market, without government regulation, nations will prosper.

• Anyone who wants to understand the foundations of capitalism and the free market
• Anyone curious about the core tenets of a fundamental work of economic theory

Postcapitalism (2015) offers a close examination of the failures of current economic systems. The 2008 financial crisis showed us that neoliberal capitalism is falling apart, and these blinks outline the reasons why we’re at the start of capitalism’s downfall, while giving an idea of what our transition into postcapitalism will be like.

• Capitalists and anti-capitalists
• Students of sociology or politics
• Anyone interested in what the future holds for modern-day societies

The Way Back (2016) offers an intriguing explanation of why the American dream is a long-lost concept. These blinks take a close look at the fundamental systems of the United States, from education to criminal justice, and reveal exactly how these systems have broken down and why they are in desperate need of repair.

• Public school teachers looking for insight into the school system
• Entrepreneurs fighting bureaucratic red tape
• Students of sociology and economics

In America’s Bank (2015), you’ll discover the gripping story of the US Federal Reserve, or “Fed.” These blinks trace the history behind the development and unification of the American banking system and show the complex web of interests and players that continue to shape the system today.

• Students interested in economics or politics
• People interested in American history

The WikiLeaks Files (2015) provides fascinating and digestible insights from WikiLeaks, the organization that came to worldwide prominence with the release of 251,287 US State Department cables in 2010. These blinks paint a bleak picture of an American empire and its machinations.

• Global citizens concerned with world affairs
• Students of political science or international relations
• Diplomats and others working in civil service

Austerity (2013) cuts through the confusion behind our recent financial crises and reveals what really happens when economists call for a policy of austerity to be implemented. This is when budgets are cut, public funding is slashed and working-class families suffer so that banks can be saved and continue to make billions. Find out what’s really going on and who’s really being protected when your country gets pushed into austerity.

• Students of political science and economics
• Readers who want a better understanding of the recent banking crisis
• Activists fighting against the top 1 percent

Barbarians at the Gate (1989) tells the story of one of the largest corporate deals in US history, the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco. These blinks provide a gripping portrait of the extreme and extravagant behavior in corporate America during the 1980s.

• Anyone working in finance or business who wants to learn about a legendary deal
• Citizens appalled by the excesses of corporate America
• Anyone enthralled by hostile takeovers and cutthroat dealings

Jean Tirole’s Economics for the Common Good (2017) is a wide-ranging look at the contemporary economy, packed with plenty of insights into the theory and practice of modern-day economics. Deconstructing the supposed opposition of state and market, Tirole explores their many interconnections in fields ranging from climate change to property rights and the new digital economy.

• Anyone interested in the how, what and why of economics
• Proponents of free markets and advocates of state regulation
• Anyone who’s ever wondered why climate change is so hard to tackle

Adaptive Markets (2017) is about a new economic theory that helps us better understand the human element behind financial markets. Andrew W. Lo expertly illustrates the shortcomings of current prevailing economic theories, showing us how finance is less like physics or math and more like a responsive and evolving organism – not unlike ourselves.

• Investors interested in finance and how the market works
• Readers interested in the science of money
• Students of economics

An American Sickness (2017) takes an honest look at the state of the American health-care system and frankly diagnoses its many ailments. When big business started taking over what were once charitable organizations, things began to go truly wrong. Rosenthal presents valuable information on how to reduce health-care bills and not get taken for a ride by greedy hospitals and over-prescribing doctors.

• Americans, both healthy and sick
• Workers in the health-care and insurance industry
• Readers who want to save money

Doughnut Economics (2017) is a call to arms for a fresh approach to economics. As inequality soars and environmental crisis looms, the book’s central question has never seemed more relevant. How can we build a just economic system that allows us to thrive while preserving the planet? A good place to start, Kate Raworth suggests, is to do away with the old myths that have shaped economic thinking for so long. Zeroing in on the doughnut-shaped “sweet spot” in which our needs can be sustainably met, this is a thought-provoking read which might just help save the world.

• Anyone losing sleep over the Earth’s future as climate change kicks in
• Economic innovators in search of new models for a new century
• Fans of fresh thinking on big topics

The Future of Capitalism (2018) offers a candid analysis of capitalism that calls for a return to communitarian ethics to mend rifts between families, communities and nations. Diagnosing the failings of modern liberalism, Paul Collier proposes the reintroduction into economic thinking of ethical concerns. He also suggests pragmatic policies that might forge a capitalism that works for everyone.

• Students of political science and economics
• Policy makers interested in cultivating a new center left
• Skeptics of capitalism’s potential

The War on Normal People (2018) reveals how America is on the brink of economic and social collapse due to technological advances such as automation and artificial intelligence. Painting a portrait of the reality that average Americans will increasingly face if mass unemployment is left unaddressed, author Andrew Yang proposes a vision to transform the economy by adopting a human-centered form of capitalism that begins with a universal basic income.

• Voters interested in learning about Andrew Yang’s ideas for America
• Educated Americans who want to take on income inequality
• Working-age people curious about the benefits of a universal basic income

Hawai’i (2019) is a detailed history of the economic forces that have shaped Hawaiian society. Author Sumner La Croix traces the arc of commerce, from traditions first established in the twelfth century by Polynesian colonists to the modern Hawaiian state. Along the way, he examines what has changed and what has stayed the same.

• Anyone interested in the dark side of paradise
• Students of colonialism
• Labor historians

Americana (2017) traces the history of the USA from one key perspective: capitalism. Bhu Srinivasan shows how the development of the country has been closely bound up with the development of capitalism, from the New England colonies’ earliest days to the most recent innovations of Silicon Valley or Wall Street.

Named by The Economist as one of the best books of 2017

• American history enthusiasts
• People interested in the economy past and present
• Fans – or enemies – of capitalism

Talking to My Daughter About the Economy (2018) is a lucid and accessible account of our current economic system. This engaging primer explains what economics is, what it does, and why it became such a force in our everyday lives.

• Political junkies hungry for accessible economic theory
• Everyday citizens seeking to engage with politics
• Anyone interested in understanding our current economic system

The Economists’ Hour (2019) is a compact history of how economists came to dominate our political discourse. This work traces the rise of neoliberal ideology from the 1960s to today.

• Political wonks wanting to parse the current climate
• Citizens concerned about America’s rightward shift
• Anyone asking, “how did things get so bad?”

Wildland (2021) recounts the story of how America became unraveled throughout the first two decades of the twenty-first century. Drawing on stories from residents of three US cities –⁠ Greenwich, Connecticut; Clarksburg, West Virginia; and Chicago, Illinois –⁠ it examines the undercurrents of change that tie together the fates of these varied landscapes. Finally, it describes how the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 laid the foundation for the violent insurrection on January 6, 2021. 

• Americans trying to make sense of the changes in their country
• Students of American politics and culture
• Activists looking for a holistic picture of the grievances of average Americans

The Dying Citizen (2021) explores the ways in which modern American democracy is being weakened. Touching on issues like globalization and identity politics, it discusses how left-wing progressives are damaging the foundations of the United States. 

• Conservatives looking for fresh insights
• Fans of Donald Trump 
• Anyone interested in politics and current affairs

Lessons from the Titans (2020) tells the stories of ten industrial companies in the United States. From General Electric to Boeing, Honeywell to United Rentals, it looks at which strategic decisions led to success and which disastrous missteps created new obstacles. By analyzing the past performance of such legendary businesses, it offers greater insight into which companies today will stick around – and which won’t. 

• Business gurus fascinated by economic shifts
• Entrepreneurs looking to future-proof their companies
• Economists curious about market shifts

The Raging 2020s (2021) is an autopsy of the American social contract, which once kept companies, governments, and individuals in stable harmony but has since broken down. In particular, it describes how the power of corporations has expanded in recent years while federal might has waned –⁠ and how the result is that companies have more control over people’s lives than ever before. We must work to restore the balance and write a new social contract for the modern age.

• Citizens concerned about the increasing power of corporations
• Current or aspiring politicians and activists
• Anyone who sees the value in capitalism but thinks it can be improved

Adrift (2022) argues that the United States is flailing, despite all its success and global dominance since World War II. It’s a country struggling to adapt to revolutionary changes in technology, facing deep economic and political divisions and threats of extremism, and quickly losing ground to rivals like China. Despite all of this, Scott Galloway still sees reason for hope, but first lays out what he sees as the biggest challenges facing the nation. 

• Those who feel overwhelmed by the anger and divisiveness on social media
• Investors who want to understand an evolving market
• People wondering if higher education is worth their time

It’s OK to be Angry About Capitalism (2023) is a critique of the economic and political system in the US. It offers a blueprint on how to move past unbridled capitalism onto a fairer and freer future.

• Everyone interested in the idea of democratic socialism
• Those who’d like to understand Bernie Sanders’s political agenda
• Anyone concerned about inequality

The Myth of American Inequality (2022) corrects widespread misconceptions about inequality in the United States. Taking aim at misleading official statistics, it shows that poverty has all but disappeared in today’s America and that the gap between rich and “poor” isn’t nearly as large as many people assume. 

• Politicos and policymakers
• Historians and economists
• Anyone interested in contemporary debates about economic justice

Power Failure (2022) details the rise and fall of General Electric – once a great success story of international business.  But its legacy went badly awry, as even casual consumers of business news will remember. Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon (2022) gives a startlingly detailed account inside the behemoth corporation, examining what went right – and then wrong.

• Anyone interested in the inside workings of business
• Leaders who want to learn from the experience of CEOs going through difficult times 
• Employees who want to better understand the forces at play inside the companies that dictate their future

Profit Over People (1999) is a deep dive into the often hidden world of neoliberalism, revealing how global power structures and US policies are influenced by corporate interests. You’ll be taken on a journey that uncovers an economic system geared toward the affluent, often to the detriment of the many.

• Students of economics or international relations 
• Policymakers and businesspeople
• Curious minds interested in the way our world works

Innovation in Real Places (2021) argues that the prevailing Silicon Valley model of growth creation has failed most cities and regions. Rather than chasing the chimera of becoming the next tech hub, communities should focus on identifying their niche in the global production process and fostering innovation based on their existing strengths. 

• Anyone interested in learning more about innovation and sources
• People interested in economic development and entrepreneurship
• Citizens and policy makers wishing to advance policies promoting growth and prosperity in their region

Too Big to Fail (2009) draws you into the heart of the 2008 financial crisis, revealing the high-stakes decisions and power struggles that shaped the world's economic landscape at that time. This gripping narrative untangles a complex web of financial intrigue, and will help you understand the forces that drove one of the most tumultuous periods in financial history.

• Finance professionals interested in economic crisis insights
• History buffs exploring twenty-first-century financial events
• Business students studying real-world corporate strategy

The History of Money (2024) takes us on a tour through time, from the earliest forms of currency to the introduction of bitcoin. It’s a story of booming trade, powerful empires and devastating financial busts. It explains how money has fueled enormous progress and why it remains a fragile system that struggles to benefit all people equally.

• History buffs interested in fresh perspectives on old stories
• Anyone interested in global economics
• Curious folks who like big-picture tales of how the world works

Milton Friedman (2023) provides a nuanced biography of the influential free-market economist. Tracing Friedman's groundbreaking work across diverse policy areas, it explores his instrumental role in the rise of modern American conservatism and free market ideology. 

• Those looking to understand the roots of modern neoliberalism
• Students of public policy and political history
• Anyone interested in impactful, paradigm-shifting thinkers

Leading Through Inflation (2022) explores the significant impact of inflation on businesses, emphasizing its role in consuming cash, squeezing margins, and disrupting forecasts and plans. It provides practical guidance and strategies for CEOs and executives to navigate these challenges, offering advice on how to thrive in an inflationary business environment.

• CEOs and senior business executives
• Small business owners and entrepreneurs
• Business School Students and Professors

How to Listen When Markets Speak (2024) explores strategies for interpreting the complex signals of financial markets to make informed investment decisions. It offers insights into the correlation between historical market events and current market behaviors, providing readers with the tools to predict and respond to market trends effectively. The guidance within emphasizes the importance of listening to and understanding the nuances of market data and economic indicators.

• Financial analysts seeking market behavior insights
• Investors interested in risk management strategies
• Business students studying financial markets

Free and Equal (2024) offers a progressive roadmap for building a fair society by reviving the compassionate ideas of philosopher John Rawls. It makes a compelling case for a society reimagined to safeguard free expression, eliminate the influence of money in politics, and build an economy where everyone can thrive.

• Progressives seeking a fresh perspective on addressing societal issues
• Political philosophers interested in the contemporary relevance of John Rawls’s ideas
• Policymakers searching for a framework to guide decision-making in the face of current crises

Grow the Pie (2020) shows how businesses can thrive by creating value for society while also achieving sustainable profits. It reveals that companies prioritizing the well-being of all stakeholders often outperform those focused solely on shareholder returns. By presenting extensive research and real-world examples, it makes a compelling case that long-term success comes from growing the pie for everyone.

• Business leaders seeking sustainable growth strategies
• Investors interested in long-term corporate performance
• Academics studying corporate governance and responsibility

The Shortest History of Economics (2024) explores the hidden economic forces that have shaped human history. It examines how capitalism and market systems emerged, linking economic developments to major historical events from the rise of agriculture to modern conflicts. 

• Students seeking context for modern economic theories
• Curious general readers interested in how economies evolve
• Anyone who wants a new lens on human history

Pay the People! (2024) examines how America's economy suffers when businesses and policymakers prioritize short-term profits over fair wages for workers. It argues that raising wages across all levels would benefit everyone – from working families to business owners – by strengthening consumer spending power and preserving democratic capitalism. 

• Business owners and executives seeking to understand the broader economic impact of wage policies
• Policy makers and public officials involved in labor legislation
• Anyone who wants to understand more about the American economy

The Longevity Imperative (2024) explores how individuals and societies can adapt to the changes brought about by longer life expectancies. It highlights the need for substantial transformations in health care, the economy, and social systems to ensure that longer lives aren’t just lived but are healthier, happier, and more productive. By rethinking how you approach your career, relationships, and finances, it offers a roadmap for embracing the opportunities of an extended lifespan and creating a society prepared for the longevity revolution.

• Older workers seeking career and financial planning advice
• Young professionals preparing for healthier, longer life spans
• Policymakers and caregivers shaping longevity-focused societal change

Money (2023) explores the evolving relationship between humans and money over the past 5,000 years, from its origins in Mesopotamian clay tablets to modern cryptocurrencies. It traces how money has continually adapted to changing technologies, economies, and societies, shaping human behavior as much as being shaped by it. 

• History enthusiasts curious about money’s evolution
• Economics students seeking engaging, real-world insights
• General readers interested in financial systems and society

AI Valley (2025) chronicles the high-stakes race to capitalize on artificial intelligence following ChatGPT’s explosive debut, focusing on LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and DeepMind cofounder Mustafa Suleyman as they build an AI startup amid fierce competition from tech giants. It reveals how the economics of AI shifted power back to established companies, threatening Silicon Valley’s startup culture while promising to fundamentally reshape human-computer interaction.

• Tech entrepreneurs exploring AI startup opportunities
• Curious investors evaluating artificial intelligence markets
• People interested in Silicon Valley power dynamics

On the Brink (2010) offers a behind-the-scenes account of the 2008 financial crisis from the perspective of the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson. It follows the intense negotiations, high-stakes decisions, and unprecedented government interventions aimed at preventing a global economic collapse. Through firsthand insight, it reveals the complexity and urgency of managing a financial system on the verge of disaster.

• Economics students studying financial crises
• Policymakers navigating systemic risk
• Anyone interested in global finance

Money in the Twenty-First Century (2024) explores how technological shifts are reshaping the nature and function of money. It examines the rise of digital currencies, mobile payment systems, and low-interest economic environments, highlighting their impact on financial institutions and global economies.

• Professionals exploring the future of finance
• Tech-savvy minds interested in digital currencies
• Anyone seeking insight into modern money

Our Dollar, Your Problem (2025) examines how the US dollar achieved global dominance through a combination of strategic positioning and fortunate circumstances, while demonstrating that this supremacy is increasingly vulnerable to challenges from cryptocurrencies, China's yuan, and America's own fiscal overconfidence.

• Policymakers who want to understand the inherent risks of dollar dominance
• Investors anticipating how currency shifts could reshape global financial markets
• Business leaders preparing for potential global economic challenges

Competition Demystified (2005) presents a clear and practical approach to business strategy focused on understanding and applying the concept of barriers to entry. It argues that the key to long-term competitive advantage lies in identifying and defending positions where new competitors are unlikely to succeed. 

• Business leaders seeking clear, actionable strategy guidance
• Investors analyzing long-term competitive advantage
• Students of economics and business strategy fundamentals

The Fractured Age (2025) argues that globalization isn’t ending – instead, it’s transforming into distinct economic regions that will reshape everything from trade routes to technology standards over the next decade. The analysis reveals how geopolitical tensions have turned economic tools into weapons, forcing companies and countries to accept higher costs and fewer choices as the price of alignment.

• Executives and strategists navigating supply chain decisions and market entry choices
• Entrepreneurs determining which markets to enter and which partnerships to pursue
• Anyone wanting more context about tariffs, sanctions, and emerging global trade blocs

Why Good People Can’t Get Jobs (2012) argues that the so-called “skills gap” stems more from employers’ hiring practices than from a lack of qualified workers. It shows how inflated requirements, rigid screening systems, and cuts to training create talent shortages, and outlines pragmatic fixes such as clearer job definitions, investing in training, and hiring for potential.

• Frustrated hiring managers seeking practical talent fixes
• Data-minded recruiters optimizing screening and training
• Anyone exploring the roots of skills shortages

1929 (2025) explores the events leading up to the most devastating stock market crash in modern history. Tracing the unchecked speculation, economic euphoria, and regulatory complacency that created the conditions for the collapse, it reveals how illusions of endless growth blinded an entire generation.

• Anyone curious about market bubbles and crashes
• History lovers interested in economic turning points
• Readers of accessible financial journalism

Fight Oligarchy (2025) examines how a small group of ultra-wealthy individuals has gained unprecedented control over American economic, political, and media institutions. It argues that this concentration of power threatens democratic governance, and documents the rise of authoritarian tendencies under Donald Trump’s billionaire-backed administration. Drawing on historical examples of successful resistance movements and detailing grassroots organizing efforts through 2025, it presents a vision for reclaiming democracy through policy reform and mass mobilization.

• Americans worried about democracy and wealth inequality
• People seeking to understand oligarchy and political corruption
• Anyone ready to organize and reclaim power

"Samuel" is a heartwarming novel that follows the life of a young boy named Samuel as he navigates the challenges and triumphs of growing up in a small town. Set in the 1950s, the book explores themes of family, friendship, and the power of community. Through Samuel's journey, the author beautifully captures the innocence and wonder of childhood, making it a captivating read for all ages.

• Anyone seeking inspiration and motivation
• People interested in personal development and self-discovery
• Readers who enjoy introspective and reflective narratives

In "War is a Racket," Smedley D. Butler, a retired United States Marine Corps Major General, exposes the true motives behind war and the military-industrial complex. He argues that war is often driven by profit and serves the interests of a small group of wealthy individuals and corporations. Butler's book sheds light on the hidden realities of war and calls for a reevaluation of our approach to conflict.

• Individuals interested in understanding the true costs and consequences of war
• People who want to challenge the status quo and question the motives behind military actions
• Those looking to broaden their perspective on the military-industrial complex and its impact on society