End This Depression Now!

In this follow-up to THE RETURN OF DEPRESSION ECONOMICS, Nobel Prize-winning economist and Princeton professor Krugman delivers his introduction before handing over the reins to Rob Shapiro. As Krugman describes the recession of 2008 and charts a path to end the recession, Shapiro uses an even pace and steadily builds the narration to Krugman's conclusions about supply, demand, and increased spending. For the aspects of the discussion that require a more visual approach, there are references to the accompanying charts and graphs. Even though the subject matter can be dense, Shapiro presents Krugman's argument in a straightforward and understandable way, reading with inflection and emphasis, and slowing down to allow listeners to digest the more technical aspects of the discussion. E.N. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

Starred review from April 23, 2012
Krugman (Fuzzy Math), winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics, takes an edifying and often humorous journalistic approach to the current economic crisis in this accessible and timely study. Rather than provide a mere postmortem on the 2008 collapse (though relevant history lessons are provided), Krugman aims to plot a path out of this depression. He maintains that "We are suffering from a severe overall lack of demand;" as every purchase is also a sale, everyone's income is someone's spending , and few are currently spending. This "paradox of thrift," when everyone cuts back and tries to pay off old debt at the same time, ensures a stagnant economyâwhen no new debt is issued, the cycle continues, for one man's debt is another man's asset. Krugman suggests, then, that "the government spend where the private sector won't," Ã la FDR's workers' programs during the Great Depression. The problem, of course, arises when politics enters the equationâsome view government intervention as a gateway to socialism, whereas others can't agree on appropriate "shovel-ready" projects to spend money on. Krugman has consistently called for more liberal economic policies, but his wit and bipartisanship ensure that this book will appeal to a broad swath of readersâfrom the Left to the Right, from the 99% to the 1%. Illus.

July 30, 2012
Krugman—winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics—builds a strong case for federal stimulus spending as the only path to ending our current economic woes, and claims that austerity policies lead to economic contraction and worsening unemployment. Rob Shapiro skillfully narrates this audio edition—not an easy task given the somewhat dry nature of the prose—in a richly textured voice that brings just the right amount of gravitas and accessibility to this wonky manifesto. Shapiro’s tone is conversational; he modifies his pitch for emphasis and adopts a carefully measured pace—a blessing when numbers, percentages, and statistics come fast and furious. Unfortunately, economics books (including this one) often make use of charts and graphs, and while PDFs of the book’s 12 charts are included, this isn’t likely to help those listening in the car or on the treadmill. Still, Shapiro provides an engaging performance of this timely and important book from Krugman, who narrates the introduction. A Norton hardcover.