The publisher's series provides concise histories of the growth and influence of ideas that shaped the 20th century and continue to shape the present. This mini-text (5.25x8") examines capitalism both as an ideology and as an economic system, drawing on the writings of leading thinkers such as Adam Smith and Karl Marx, and exploring current issues as well, such as global capitalism. The book concludes by arguing that the advocates of global capitalism have erred, and that, without change, we are heading for an impoverished future. A timeline, a who's who, and boxed readings are included. Bowles teaches at a university in Canada. Annotation #169;2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Part of the "Short Histories of Big Ideas" series, this book offers a nice, compact overview of capitalism. Bowles, an academic, begins with a two-page time line and another two pages of brief biographical entries of key economists who represent different perspectives. The first chapter provides a short description of capitalism. The next two present perspectives for and against capitalism. The author offers a sympathetic presentation for both sides, although in later chapters he is more critical of the excesses of capitalism. The fourth chapter, "Empire and Crises, 1870-1945," is especially well written. Later chapters describe how capitalism has varied across countries and over time. Bowles concludes with a discussion of the nature of global capitalism. Libraries would do well to order this book. Despite brevity of the text and the subject's breadth, Bowles provides an astounding quantity of information in a surprisingly accessible style. This book would make for very provocative classroom use. Undergraduates will find it very informative. Even more advanced readers knowledgeable on the subject will pick up valuable nuggets. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All collections. General Readers; Lower-division Undergraduates; Upper-division Undergraduates; Graduate Students; Researchers/Faculty; Two-year Technical Program Students; Professionals/Practitioners. Reviewed by M. Perelman. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.