"Hopes Betrayed" establishes Keynes' historical setting and explains what turned him into a radical economist. He gives an analysis of the economist's sustained assault on conventional wisdom, and shows how Keynes' story is not just that of a revolution in economic theory, but also part of the story of the evolution of modern government. Other books by Robert Skidelsky include "Politicians and the Slump", "The End of the Keynesian Era" and "Oswald Mosley".
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Keynes was one of the most important thinkers (in his case on economics, particularly) of the early 20th century. He was also on the fringes of the Bloomsbury Group - the endlessly analysed group of artists and intellectuals influential as much for their lifestyles as their artistic legacy. This book balances the gossip well with the intellectual background and personal achievements that produced Keynes and moulded his career. I enjoyed it immensely and found it compulsive reading. Skidelsky's style is accessible and clear, even when he is discussing the finer points of moral philosophy or the Quantity Theory of money. He also takes a balanced view of the subjects of his story; he does not write as a "fan" (even if he is one) but nor does he interpose his own moral judgements on the activities of Keynes and his friends. I look forward to the second two parts eagerly.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Luc REYNAERT
Format:Paperback
This profoundly researched and uncensored (sexually speaking) biography gives us a fascinating look into a highly privileged group of people in England when the British Empire was at its zenith. Half (sic) of the world's trade was financed by British credits in 1914.
It pictures the education of young Keynes, groomed by his parents for the highest civil duties, his acceptance in the exclusive Cambridge Apostles Circle (a main discussion point was Higher Sodomy) and his membership of the, in all aspects, anarchic Bloomsbury group. It shows without restaint Keynes' (homo)sexual awakening and his conventional (based on the Gold Standard) beginnings as an economist.
In the meantime, this book reveals the functioning of the British elitist School system (Eton, Cambridge) as well as the 'moral' environment of this period: the death of God and the birth of mass democracy.
Prof. Skidelsky's book contains a wealth of information on e.g. the conservative reasoning behind the Gold Standard, Utilitarianism or Moore's essentialistic, but influential, ethic system.
He shows us Keynes as a fundamental nationalist: 'it is better to have Englishmen running the world than foreigners'.
But nothwithstanding his exhausting efforts, he saw Britain and mainland Europe sinking under the war debts and being taken over by the US as world power, which was effectively controlled by one man, J.P. Morgan.
He attacked severely the Versailles Treaty but was devastated that politicians preferred suicidal short-time revenge and election success rather than long-time beneficial solutions.
This book is sometimes too detailed with extensive letter excerpts. Nonetheless, it is a fascinating read.
It pictures the education of young Keynes, groomed by his parents for the highest civil duties, his acceptance in the exclusive Cambridge Apostles Circle (a main discussion point was Higher Sodomy) and his membership of the, in all aspects, anarchic Bloomsbury group. It shows without restaint Keynes' (homo)sexual awakening and his conventional (based on the Gold Standard) beginnings as an economist.
In the meantime, this book reveals the functioning of the British elitist School system (Eton, Cambridge) as well as the 'moral' environment of this period: the death of God and the birth of mass democracy.
Prof. Skidelsky's book contains a wealth of information on e.g. the conservative reasoning behind the Gold Standard, Utilitarianism or Moore's essentialistic, but influential, ethic system.
He shows us Keynes as a fundamental nationalist: 'it is better to have Englishmen running the world than foreigners'.
But nothwithstanding his exhausting efforts, he saw Britain and mainland Europe sinking under the war debts and being taken over by the US as world power, which was effectively controlled by one man, J.P. Morgan.
He attacked severely the Versailles Treaty but was devastated that politicians preferred suicidal short-time revenge and election success rather than long-time beneficial solutions.
This book is sometimes too detailed with extensive letter excerpts. Nonetheless, it is a fascinating read.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Hopes Betrayed" represents well the feeling I felt after completing this book. The author certainly has done his research, and gives an honest and balanced appraisal of Keynes. The book is a complete description of Keyneses early life, and leaves nothing out. However, the book also suffers from this, and one feels as if one is reading an endless list of names and quotes at times. The author would have done better to inject a little more life and story into the book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tells you everything about Keynes except how he sounded
This is a brilliant biography at all sorts of levels but be warned it is a very dense read. If you want a quick insight into Keynesianism (and I suggest everyone does, especially... Read more
Published 17 months ago by jennywithtoomanybooks
4.0 out of 5 stars
Out of your expectation
It's unexpectedly well decscibed how's Keynes in his childhood. He's in fact a well-spoken, witty gentleman with its charms inside which is mysterious. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2002 by "juliette0906"
5.0 out of 5 stars
A major literary achievement
Comprehensive, elegantly written and a delight to read. The genesis of Keynes the real person in Victorian England at home, at Eton and at Kings College Cambridge and beyond, with... Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2002 by decomplexity
4.0 out of 5 stars
A heavy-going but worthy review of the man and his era
This is the first of three volumes (I have not yet read the third volume which appears to be on the point of coming out). Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2000 by paul.morland@prudential.co.uk
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