Outrageous Fortunes

Altman, professor of economics at New York University, presents 12 theories that he believes will reshape the global economy. His topics range from China's future economic status to the role of international bodies in promoting trade. Each of the theories is presented in its own self-contained chapter, as a separate idea from the others, so the discussions can be explored in any order. William Hughes gives a fast-paced reading that keeps the narration moving forward. At times though, his reading sounds disjointed--with choppy, staccato phrases instead of a smooth, connected flow. However, Hughes handles the financial vocabulary of Altman's work with clear enunciation that makes this an easy listen. E.N. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

Starred review from September 20, 2010
Amid all the handwringing on the downward trajectory of the global economy comes this cool, collected, and sensible view of forthcoming economic trends. Altman (Connected), professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, looks at deeper factors—geography, culture, government policies—to challenge conventional (or simply much touted) wisdom: he predicts China's economic supremacy will be short, undermined by its own central government's heavy-handedness and Confucian cultural influences. He offers an unflinching examination of the merits and flaws of capitalism and socialism and resets archaic perceptions about how to encourage or inhibit growth. In his analysis, capitalism comes out on top, but succeeds best and for a longer period of time with government intervention and redistributive policies. Altman predicts global migratory shifts that will make today's world financial centers obsolete and foresees the pitfalls of a unified European currency. Altman delivers more than mere analysis or foreshadowing: this is revelatory reading for even the most casual observer of economics, and an invaluable tool for reconsidering how the world makes money.

Starred review from May 1, 2011

Rather than adding to the hype of short-run opinions on the dismal state of the U.S. and global economies, economist/journalist Altman (Connected; Neoconomy), arguing that the fate of the world's economies will be determined by factors deeper than those that move the markets from moment to moment, ventures to predict the long-term risks and opportunities that may arise 20 or 30 years from now. Among his predictions: that the European Union will disintegrate as an economic entity and that global warming will make rich countries cleaner and richer and poor countries dirtier and poorer. The lively presentation by full-time political science professor/part-time actor and narrator William Hughes (Southern Oregon Univ.; The Soloist) helps to maintain interest in this data-rich, provocative work, which will be a boon to university students studying business and economics.--Dale Farris, Groves, TX

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