The Irresistible Henry House

PJ O'Rourke manages to bring to life in a way so many economists fail to do, and lays a solid foundation of economics while he's at it, in plain language. Most of the chapters detail the economic distasters and successes in a compare/contrast style, highlighting the major differences in law and economic principles resulting in these differences. In Chapter 6, From Beatnik to Business Major: Taking Econ 101 for Kicks, O'Rourke... Read Full Review

After my interest in economics was spiked by Freakonomics, I began to look at other books on the topic. Eat the Rich is one of the best books I have read on the topic since. O'Rourke skillfully takes us through several countries looking at Good Capitalism, Bad Socialism and everything in between. His insight and witty one liners make the read fast, fun and extremely enjoyable. While some may find it offensive, I found it... Read Full Review

P. J. O'Rourke makes economics interesting...by citing real life examples from his travels rather than engaging in a boring exercise of describing some economic theory. The pages of the book spring to life.I read this book prior to visiting Tanzania, one of the countries visited by O'Rourke, and have reread it many times since my visit. The details covered are well-researched. I picked up things after rereading the chapter... Read Full Review

Economic theory is based on ...theory, and is often wrong. O'Rourke, not a posterchild for higher education, skipped the classes and took a round the world tour to find which economic systems work and which don't. He visited Sweeden, Albania, Tanzania, Russia, Hong Kong, plus others and then described his experiences. In some places wild dogs ran the streets beneath his hotel room, in others people spent their day sleeping... Read Full Review

As supply increases prices fall; the demand curve moves in inverse proportion to supply; and economics is as dry as the bleached bones of Adam Smith. At least that is what you were lead to believe by that stringy-haired Marxist who taught ECON101. In his humorous, pointed and informative treatise, "Eat the Rich", P. J. O'Rourke has contravened at least one rule of economics - He has established that it is by no means... Read Full Review