Looking for a bibliography in this book? Forget it -- O'Rourke writes, "There isn't one. I'm too lazy." The problem with Eat the Rich is the danger of laughing so hard you'll lose your place. Another danger is that while you're busy laughing you just might learn something about economics. When Max Schulz reviewed Eat the Rich for Reason magazine he wrote in praise of the book's style, "But economics is really the study of how people live and act day to day. Economics isn't the study of graphs and currency flows and GNP numbers as much as it is the study of human interaction."
Don't let the jokes or O'Rourke's act that he is an economic blockhead fool you however. Some of the concepts in this book are very complex - such as the explanation for how the stock market works, and if you don't concentrate, several pages may go by before you realize you have no idea what you've read.
The chapter on "Bad Socialism: Cuba" is sobering. We watch the news and read the newspapers and know the stories about third world countries and the condition they're in but many of us have never visited. O'Rourke spent some time in Cuba and after reading this chapter you'll wonder how he even lasted several days. It is a testament to his writing skills that the reader can imagine such detailed pictures of the condition of Cuba and its citizens. "Bright colors were bleached to dirty pearl. There were ashen streaks from leaking roofs and dark whorls left over from stagnant puddles. Mildew spread across walls like a loving soot."
One of the most gratifying aspects about O'Rourke's writing is, in his effort to appear to be just a normal joe discussing economics, he reveals his true brilliance. His take on the 10th Commandment? "If you want a donkey, if you want a pot roast, if you want a cleaning lady, don't bitch about what the people across the street have. Go get your own."
O'Rourke also has a strong and serious message to those who complain about poverty in the world and are quick to blame it on capitalism or the free market, or those who don't support the notion that political freedom goes hand in hand with economic freedom.
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Beth Skinner's Marketplace Economics topic, please visit the Discussions page.