Read by William Hughes

A pithy guide to real-world economics, abridged from Sharma's New York Times bestseller The Rise and Fall of Nations. This slim primer distills Sharma's decades of experience into ten rules for identifying nations that are poised to take off or crash. A wake-up call to economists who failed to foresee every recent crisis, including the cataclysm of 2008, 10 Rules is full of pioneering insights on signs of political, economic, and social change. Sharma explains, for example, why autocrats are bad for the economy; robots are a blessing, not a curse; and consumer prices don't tell you all you need to know about inflation. He shows how currency crises begin with the flight of savvy locals, not evil foreigners; debt crises start in private companies, not government; and the best news for any country is none at all. Rethinking economics as a practical art, 10 Rules is a must-read for business, political, and academic leaders who want to understand the most important forces that shape a nation's future. "Lively and informative." "Instead of pious statements about poverty, or portentous mutterings on the importance of American leadership, Mr. Sharma sees the world from the ruthless and restless perspective of an investor." "Ruchir Sharma is a shrewd and thoughtful observer of emerging markets. His insights deserve the attention of all who care about the future of the global economy." "Sharma's mission is as ambitious as it is well-executed. A mix of humble pragmatism and daring decisiveness make his tips compelling and credible." "A vital guide to the new economic order." "Sharma's new book is filled with amazing data…fascinating insights and revealing anecdotes; this is quite simply the best guide to the global economy today. Whether you are an observer or an investor, you cannot afford to ignore it."

Mode of access: World Wide Web