Brad DeLong

J. Bradford DeLong is an economic historian and professor of economics at the University of California, Berkeley. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury during the Clinton administration and is known for his work on macroeconomics, economic history, and the evolution of economic growth. DeLong's research has focused on examining technological change, financial crises, and the intersection of economics and political economy. His 2022 book "Slouching Towards Utopia" explores the economic history of the 20th century and received significant attention for its analysis of how technological innovation transformed the global economy between 1870 and 2010. As a prominent economics blogger since the early days of the internet, DeLong has maintained an influential presence in online economic discourse through his blog "Grasping Reality." His academic work includes extensive research on the Great Depression, the Industrial Revolution, and the development of the modern American economy. Beyond his academic work, DeLong is a research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research and has written for publications including Project Syndicate and Bloomberg. He regularly contributes to public debate on economic policy and has been particularly focused on issues of technological change, inequality, and macroeconomic stability.

Readers view DeLong as an economic historian who makes complex topics accessible, though some find his writing style meandering. Many readers appreciate his data-driven approach and integration of economic history with modern policy implications. Liked: - Clear explanations of economic concepts for non-experts - Use of historical examples to illustrate economic principles - Incorporation of graphs and data - Coverage of both successes and failures in economic policy Disliked: - Writing can be repetitive and verbose - Some sections get too technical for general readers - Occasional partisan political views inserted into analysis - Blog-like casual tone in academic works Ratings: Goodreads: Slouching Towards Utopia - 4.0/5 (2,900+ ratings) Amazon: Slouching Towards Utopia - 4.4/5 (450+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Informative but could have been shorter and more focused" appears frequently across review platforms. Several readers noted his active blogging/social media presence adds accessibility but sometimes detracts from academic rigor.

Slouching Towards Utopia: An Economic History of the Twentieth Century (2022) An analysis of global economic growth and transformation from 1870 to 2010, examining technological changes, economic systems, and societal progress.

The End of Influence: What Happens When Other Countries Have the Money (2010) Co-authored with Stephen Cohen, explores how the shift in global financial power affects American economic and political influence.

Macroeconomics (2002) A comprehensive textbook covering macroeconomic principles, policy, and theory for undergraduate economics students.

The Economic History of the Twentieth Century: Slouching Towards Utopia? (1997) An earlier digital publication examining the economic developments and challenges of the 20th century.

Concrete Economics: The Hamilton Approach to Economic Growth and Policy (2016) Co-authored with Stephen Cohen, examines historical examples of pragmatic economic policies in American development.