History

Worldly Philosopher: The Odyssey of Albert O. Hirschman

The life and times of one of the most provocative thinkers of the twentieth century

Hardcover

Price:
$39.95/£35.00
ISBN:
Published:
Apr 7, 2013
2013
Pages:
760
Size:
6 x 9.25 in.
Illus:
39 halftones.
Buy This

Worldly Philosopher chronicles the times and writings of Albert O. Hirschman, one of the twentieth century’s most original and provocative thinkers. In this gripping biography, Jeremy Adelman tells the story of a man shaped by modern horrors and hopes, a worldly intellectual who fought for and wrote in defense of the values of tolerance and change. This is the first major account of Hirschman’s remarkable life, and a tale of the twentieth century as seen through the story of an astute and passionate observer. Adelman’s riveting narrative traces how Hirschman’s personal experiences shaped his unique intellectual perspective, and how his enduring legacy is one of hope, open-mindedness, and practical idealism.


Awards and Recognition

  • Winner of the 2014 Joseph J. Spengler Best Book Prize, History of Economics Society
  • One of Bloomberg/Businessweek Best Books of 2013, selected by Ollie Rehn
  • One of Financial Times (Alphachat)'s Econ Books of the Year for 2013
  • One of The Guardian Best Books of 2013, chosen by Malcolm Gladwell
  • Honorable Mention for the 2013 PROSE Award in Biography & Autobiography, Association of American Publishers