Adam Smith





Adam Smith

Author profile


born
June 16, 1723 in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, The United Kingdom

died
July 17, 1790

gender
male


About this author

Although the exact date of Smith's birth is unknown, his baptism was recorded on 16 June 1723 at Kirkcaldy.

A Scottish moral philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. One of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, Smith is the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. The latter, usually abbreviated as The Wealth of Nations, is considered his magnum opus and the first modern work of economics. Adam Smith is widely cited as the father of modern economics.[


Average rating: 3.77 · 5,627 ratings · 290 reviews · 114 distinct works
The Wealth of Nations
3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 avg rating — 4,840 ratings — published 1776 — 189 editions
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
The Theory of Moral Sentiments
3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 avg rating — 379 ratings — published 1759 — 56 editions
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
The Wealth of Nations, Book...
by
3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 avg rating — 54 ratings — published 1776 — 4 editions
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
An Inquiry into the Nature ...
3.71 of 5 stars 3.71 avg rating — 62 ratings5 editions
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
The Essential Adam Smith
by
3.61 of 5 stars 3.61 avg rating — 33 ratings5 editions
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
The Invisible Hand
3.15 of 5 stars 3.15 avg rating — 34 ratings — published 2009 — 2 editions
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
An Inquiry into the Nature ...
3.4 of 5 stars 3.40 avg rating — 20 ratings14 editions
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
The Wealth of Nations, Book...
by
3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 1776 — 5 editions
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
An Inquiry into the Nature ...
4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 avg rating — 12 ratings6 editions
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
Selections from the Wealth ...
by
4.43 of 5 stars 4.43 avg rating — 7 ratings
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
More books by Adam Smith…
“Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.”
Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations

“Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defense of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.”
Adam Smith

“The great source of both the misery and disorders of human life, seems to arise from over-rating the difference between one permanent situation and another. Avarice over-rates the difference between poverty and riches: ambition, that between a private and a public station: vain-glory, that between obscurity and extensive reputation. The person under the influence of any of those extravagant passions, is not only miserable in his actual situation, but is often disposed to disturb the peace of society, in order to arrive at that which he so foolishly admires. The slightest observation, however, might satisfy him, that, in all the ordinary situations of human life, a well-disposed mind may be equally calm, equally cheerful, and equally contented. Some of those situations may, no doubt, deserve to be preferred to others: but none of them can deserve to be pursued with that passionate ardour which drives us to violate the rules either of prudence or of justice; or to corrupt the future tranquillity of our minds, either by shame from the remembrance of our own folly, or by remorse from the horror of our own injustice.”
Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Polls

55838
Spotlighted Book Discussion Poll I - October 26, 2011

This is a poll that adds other books to our listing of potential non fiction books to discuss and also helps the moderators determine which one or ones are the most popular. Since we have many more group members than when we first started; voting in the polls is very important. There will be a series of polls. Many of these books have been recommended by group members but were either not selected before nor voted upon before.

Vote for the book that you would most like to read and/or is the book that you believe that would appeal to the most group members.

Note:

We have added some of the books nominated thus far but we have more to add to other polls. However, this poll was getting quite large.

However, if you do not see your favorite book on this list; then just comment or pop me a note and I will immediately add it to this poll.

You can always change your vote at any time; so nothing is lost. There are some books which have been nominated by the same author; however, skip over those if the particular author does not suit you and vote for your favorite or for one you or others might want to read.

Before making your selection, please try to look up your choice and make sure it really is a book you are interested in or you think others would be; do not be lured in by the title. Also, check out the author and what others have said about the book before you (reviewers who you trust). Then of course, make your selection.

And if you do not see your favorite, just contact me and I will add it to the poll.

Cleopatra  A Life Stacy SchiffStacy Schiff

Cleopatra: A Life
 
  18 votes, 9.8%

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much  The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession by Allison Hoover BartlettAllison Hoover Bartlett

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
 
  13 votes, 7.1%

A Country of Vast Designs  James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent by Robert W. Merry

A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent
 
  13 votes, 7.1%

Hero  The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia by Michael Korda

Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia
 
  13 votes, 7.1%

Alexander the Great by Philip Freeman

Alexander the Great
 
  13 votes, 7.1%

The Storm of War  A New History of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts

The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War
 
  12 votes, 6.5%

 
  11 votes, 6.0%

Horse Soldiers  The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan by Doug Stanton

Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers
 
  8 votes, 4.3%

The Clockwork Universe  Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern Worldby Edward Dolnick

The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society and the Birth of the Modern World
 
  6 votes, 3.3%

A History of God  The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Karen ArmstrongKaren Armstrong

A History of God: The 4,000 Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
 
  6 votes, 3.3%

Newton and the Counterfeiter  The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientistby Thomas Levenson

Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist
 
  5 votes, 2.7%

The Ascent of Money  A Financial History of the World Niall FergusonNiall Ferguson

The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World
 
  4 votes, 2.2%

Destiny Disrupted  A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes by Tamim Ansary

Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes
 
  4 votes, 2.2%

The Painter's Chair  George Washington and the Making of American Art by Hugh Howard

The Painter's Chair: George Washington and the Making of American Art
 
  4 votes, 2.2%

The Idea of America  Reflections on the Birth of the United States Gordon S. WoodGordon S. Wood

The Idea of America: Reflections on the Birth of the United States
 
  4 votes, 2.2%

The Birth of Modern Politics  Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and the Election of 1828 (Pivotal Moments in American History) by Lynn Hudson Parsons

The Birth of Modern Politics: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams and the Election of 1828
 
  3 votes, 1.6%

Decision Points by George W. BushGeorge W. Bush

Decision Points
 
  3 votes, 1.6%

Winston's War  Churchill, 1940-1945 by Max HastingsMax Hastings

Winston's War: Churchill, 1940-1945
 
  3 votes, 1.6%

A History of the American People by Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson

A History of the American People
 
  3 votes, 1.6%

U. S. Grant  American Hero, American Myth Joan WaughJoan Waugh

U. S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth
 
  3 votes, 1.6%

Churchill by Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson

Churchill
 
  3 votes, 1.6%

Civilization  The West and the Rest by Niall FergusonNiall Ferguson

Civilization: The West and the Rest
 
  3 votes, 1.6%

Modern Times  The World from the 20s to the 90s by Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson

Modern Times: The World from the 20s to the 90s
 
  3 votes, 1.6%

Letters from America Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville

Letters from America
 
  3 votes, 1.6%

Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy by Donald Kagan

Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy
 
  3 votes, 1.6%

The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments by George B. Johnson

The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments
 
  2 votes, 1.1%

Thucydides  The Reinvention of HistoryDonald Kagan

Thucydides: The Reinvention of History
 
  2 votes, 1.1%

The Union War by Gary W. Gallagher

The Union War
 
  2 votes, 1.1%

 
  2 votes, 1.1%

The Age of Wonder  How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science by Richard HolmesRichard Holmes

The Age of Wonder
 
  2 votes, 1.1%

The Wealth of Nations Adam SmithAdam Smith

The Wealth of Nations
 
  2 votes, 1.1%

The Journey Tony BlairTony Blair

The Journey
 
  2 votes, 1.1%

God's Battalions  The Case for the Crusades Rodney StarkRodney Stark

God's Battalions: The Case for the Crusades
 
  2 votes, 1.1%

Courage and Consequence  My Life as a Conservative in the Fight by Karl RoveKarl Rove

Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight
 
  1 vote, 0.5%

Party over Section  The Rough and Ready Presidential Election of 1848 (American Presidential Elections) by Joel H. Silbey

Party Over Section: The Rough and Ready Presidential Election of 1848
 
  1 vote, 0.5%

A History of the Jews (Perennial Library) Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson

A History of the Jews
 
  1 vote, 0.5%

Madam Secretary  A Memoir Madeleine AlbrightMadeleine Albright

Madam Secretary: A Memoir
 
  1 vote, 0.5%

The Theory of Moral Sentiments  by Adam SmithAdam Smith

The Theory of Moral Sentiments
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

Merchant Kings Stephen R. BownStephen R. Bown

Merchant Kings
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

A History of Christianity Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson

A History of Christianity
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

Jesus  A Biography, from a Believerby Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson


Jesus: A Biography from a Believer
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

16 comments
More...

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
100+ Books in 2012: Meghan's 2010 List 100 177 Dec 31, 2010 11:37pm  
Goodreads Feedback: Authors with the same name 10 46 Jun 15, 2011 12:17pm  
Bookish: Your Challenge Plans 160 57 Jul 29, 2011 10:12am  
The History Book ...: * AUDIOBOOKS - INTRODUCTION 23 79 Feb 20, 2012 09:00am  
The History Book ...: AUTHOR ALPHABET 1102 339 May 24, 2012 03:46am  
The Next Best Boo...: Author Alphabet 3426 2598 May 27, 2012 11:59am  
The History Book ...: * PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF ~ 4882 2108 20 hours, 48 min ago