- Unknown Binding: 116 pages
- Publisher: Westview (1 Jan 1981)
- ISBN-10: 0865311846
- ISBN-13: 978-0865311848
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This tome (including more than 100 pages of notes and indices) is an abridgment of author Robert Skidelsky's original three-volume biography of John Maynard Keynes. It is in all respects an extraordinary work. The author offers a portrait of Keynes not only as an economist but also as a philosopher and a statesman. He does not segregate these three dimensions, but rather shows how they interpenetrate and inform each other. He sets Keynes in the context of his time and circumstances. Skidelsky is unsparing in his treatment of the inconsistencies and contradictions in Keynes' life and character, but he is fair and balanced; he avoids sensationalism even in the treatment of the sensational. getAbstract finds that this book merits multiple readings and should intrigue not only economists but also anyone interested in the ideas and events of the 20th century.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have found this a very satisfying book to read. It is long and covers a lot of ground yet it is also a pleasure to read. Keynes and his thinking are described yet we also get a first rate insight into Cambridge University in the early 20th century, Europe between the two world wars, the Bloomsbury Group, early modern British philosophy and the many statesmen that Keynes met. This is an abridged version of a three edition original but I never felt that I was missing anything; it stands very well alone.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book does a grand job of summing up a very complex and multi faceted man. Skidelsky has a knack for picking out just the right quote to illuminate the motivations and character of the various people involved in Keynes' story. Sometimes he adds his own speculations which I find very well judged and helpful in understanding the dynamics of the various events.
If the readers fairly new to Keynes I recommend reading some of Keynes' own work first, especially 'Economic Consequences of the Peace' and perhaps 'Essays in Persuasion' - together with the material in Skidelsky's book this should help bring the great man to life.
Despite being fascinated by the subject, this book took a while to read. The author goes to no particular effort to enhance the drama of the story, which I guess aids the understanding but means the books isn't as gripping or fast paced as it could be. Most of the book is ordered chronologically, with chapters jumping between Keynes' struggles to get his ideas accepted by both the political and academic elite, his social life, his philosophical and other personal interests, and the time he spent devoted to his wife, family and estate. This approach is great for giving us a taste of what it was like to be Keynes but it makes it harder to follow particular areas of interest. If youre interested in the man as an economist, I recommend you also read Minksy's 'John Maynard Keynes' for his analyses of Keynes' influence from a practical and political perspective, or Gordon Fletchers brilliant and very readable 'Keynesian Revolution and its Critics' for more on how Keynes' work was received academically. Skidelsky's work remains the no 1 choice for understanding Keynes as a man, for those interested in the period, and for folk interested in understanding important battle in the high level war of ideas that is an ever present feature of Western Civilisation.
One small area where Skidelsky maybe looses a little perspective is when recalling Keynes last year where he possibly focuses a little too much on the great mans failing health and declining skills. Although Keynes didn't enjoy resounding success in his negotiations with the Americans, he was in many ways at the peak of his powers during his last year, and he knew it to. As he said to Hayeck when reassuring him over worries of the state becoming too strong, Keynes advised he could change world wide public opinion in a flash if need be. Its tragic he died before he could spell out the specific policies hed advise to bring about a "moderate socialising of investment" - something he probably only had sufficient influence to do successfully by the mid 40s.
And that's about as far as I can fault this most excellent work. Skidelsky has a new book on Keynes' revival during the current downturn coming out in September. Cant wait!
If the readers fairly new to Keynes I recommend reading some of Keynes' own work first, especially 'Economic Consequences of the Peace' and perhaps 'Essays in Persuasion' - together with the material in Skidelsky's book this should help bring the great man to life.
Despite being fascinated by the subject, this book took a while to read. The author goes to no particular effort to enhance the drama of the story, which I guess aids the understanding but means the books isn't as gripping or fast paced as it could be. Most of the book is ordered chronologically, with chapters jumping between Keynes' struggles to get his ideas accepted by both the political and academic elite, his social life, his philosophical and other personal interests, and the time he spent devoted to his wife, family and estate. This approach is great for giving us a taste of what it was like to be Keynes but it makes it harder to follow particular areas of interest. If youre interested in the man as an economist, I recommend you also read Minksy's 'John Maynard Keynes' for his analyses of Keynes' influence from a practical and political perspective, or Gordon Fletchers brilliant and very readable 'Keynesian Revolution and its Critics' for more on how Keynes' work was received academically. Skidelsky's work remains the no 1 choice for understanding Keynes as a man, for those interested in the period, and for folk interested in understanding important battle in the high level war of ideas that is an ever present feature of Western Civilisation.
One small area where Skidelsky maybe looses a little perspective is when recalling Keynes last year where he possibly focuses a little too much on the great mans failing health and declining skills. Although Keynes didn't enjoy resounding success in his negotiations with the Americans, he was in many ways at the peak of his powers during his last year, and he knew it to. As he said to Hayeck when reassuring him over worries of the state becoming too strong, Keynes advised he could change world wide public opinion in a flash if need be. Its tragic he died before he could spell out the specific policies hed advise to bring about a "moderate socialising of investment" - something he probably only had sufficient influence to do successfully by the mid 40s.
And that's about as far as I can fault this most excellent work. Skidelsky has a new book on Keynes' revival during the current downturn coming out in September. Cant wait!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Economic Consequence of Mr Keynes
Robert Skidelsky's single volume biography of John Maynard Keynes is an abridged version of his highly acclaimed three volume account of Keynes's life and times. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Neutral
MORE THAN ECONOMIST
Robert Skidelsky's Keynes biography should have won him a Nobel prize - if there was one in the category of non-fiction. Read more
Published 6 months ago by nick fraser
A fascinating painting of Keynes and his times
This Keynes' bibliography is a landmark that will become a classic. This shorter version of the threee volumes on Keynaes by the same author has the advantage of cutting the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by J. RIBEIRO
This is Great
This is a fantastic study of the life and thought of Keynes, detailed and engaging. It is my first Keynes biography but I would venture to say it is the definitive single volume... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Reader
The abridged edition
The book is a very enjoyable, and deatiled account of Maynard Keynes' life. At times touching, exciting, or fascinating, it maintains a light touch even when wading through the... Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2010 by Harry J. Dienes
All you need to know about J M Keynes and more
This mammoth volume provides great insight into Keynes' life and works. The earlier part of the book works particularly well in separating the different and varied parts of Keynes... Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2009 by P. Freund
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