Eat the Rich

This book is funny, insightful, charming and entertaining. It is also a remarkably consise and sharply observed idiot's guide to economics, but that it is not to say that it is written by an idiot or is intended for idiots.

PJ seems genuinely to put his libertarian prejudices aside and then examines economic theories, their foundations and effects in a sharp and jargon free style, featuring what seems to be absolute honesty and a complete lack of vanity, exposing the fact that economics is merely a means of measuring human nature, and neatly and logically arriving back at a position of profound libertarianism.

Although this is only my second PJ book, I have never read a word of his that I've thought was ill placed, ill judged or wrong. I only wish he had run for mayor of London instead of New York.


Witty, intelligent writing again from PJ O'Rourke   February 28, 1999
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

PJ O'Rourke sets off to find out the real answer to economics. This is 'Why some places are rich, whilst others just suck.' He looks firstly at Wall Street 'good capitalism' and says that it is because government takes a backseat that it has done so well. Also on the 'good capitalism' side is Hong Kong. This is the place where the 'nothing needs to be done' attitude has worked. PJ says that the people of Hong Kong have done it all themselves, made everything from nothing. He then looks at 'bad socialism' and naturally stops first at Cuba. He says that government interference and control of the economy has wrecked life in Cuba. Castro claims that their is no unemployment in Cuba. PJ notices hundreds of people hanging around on streetcorners and wonders what there jbb is. He shows a faint glimmer of hope though. Those areas that are not under control (mainly just restaurants with a capacity of less than 12!).

Looking at Russia, he shows how not to reform an economy (if there is one!). He points out that Communism has 'beaten out enterprise' from the people, whose mindset is not to take control of their lives.

His conclusion is that both systems are messy and far from ideal. But at least under capitalism the supermarket is full of food, and your not shot if you dont buy from the approved supplier.