📖 Overview
Amity Shlaes is an American conservative author and columnist known for her historical works focusing on economic policy and political figures. A graduate of Yale University, she has authored five books, including three New York Times Bestsellers.
Her most notable works include "The Forgotten Man" (2007), which examined the Great Depression era, and "Coolidge" (2013), a biography of President Calvin Coolidge that highlighted his fiscal conservatism. In "The Great Society" (2019), she analyzed President Lyndon Johnson's social programs and their long-term effects.
Shlaes chairs the board of trustees of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation and serves as a Presidential Scholar at The King's College in New York City. She has received recognition for her work through awards including the Bastiat Prize (2002) and the Bradley Prize (2021).
In addition to her books, Shlaes has contributed to major publications including The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times, establishing herself as a prominent voice in economic historical analysis and conservative thought.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Shlaes' detailed research and her ability to challenge conventional narratives about the Great Depression and New Deal. Many note her clear writing style makes complex economic concepts accessible.
Common positive reviews highlight:
- Fresh perspective on historical events
- Extensive use of primary sources
- Strong narrative flow connecting historical figures
- Clear explanations of economic policies
Common criticisms include:
- Perceived conservative bias in analysis
- Selective use of evidence to support conclusions
- Oversimplified portrayal of complex events
- Too much focus on certain figures while neglecting others
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
"The Forgotten Man" - 3.9/5 (6,800+ ratings)
"Great Society" - 4.2/5 (900+ ratings)
"Coolidge" - 4.0/5 (2,300+ ratings)
Amazon:
"The Forgotten Man" - 4.5/5 (850+ reviews)
"Great Society" - 4.7/5 (400+ reviews)
"Coolidge" - 4.7/5 (500+ reviews)
📚 Books by Amity Shlaes
The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression (2007)
A historical analysis of the Great Depression that examines the impact of New Deal policies and highlights lesser-known figures of the era.
Coolidge (2013) A biography exploring Calvin Coolidge's presidency and his approach to fiscal policy and government spending.
The Great Society (2019) An examination of President Lyndon Johnson's social programs and their economic consequences through the 1960s and 1970s.
The Greedy Hand: How Taxes Drive Americans Crazy and What to Do About It (1999) An analysis of the American tax system and its effects on citizens and the economy.
Germany: The Empire Within (1991) A study of Germany's economic and political transformation following reunification in 1990.
Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II (2012) A detailed account of how American industrialists and business leaders contributed to the World War II production effort.
Coolidge (2013) A biography exploring Calvin Coolidge's presidency and his approach to fiscal policy and government spending.
The Great Society (2019) An examination of President Lyndon Johnson's social programs and their economic consequences through the 1960s and 1970s.
The Greedy Hand: How Taxes Drive Americans Crazy and What to Do About It (1999) An analysis of the American tax system and its effects on citizens and the economy.
Germany: The Empire Within (1991) A study of Germany's economic and political transformation following reunification in 1990.
Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II (2012) A detailed account of how American industrialists and business leaders contributed to the World War II production effort.
👥 Similar authors
Milton Friedman wrote extensively about free market economics and monetary policy from a conservative perspective. His works "Capitalism and Freedom" and "Free to Choose" examine similar themes about government intervention that appear in Shlaes's analysis.
Paul Johnson authored comprehensive historical works that examine political and economic movements through a conservative lens. His books "Modern Times" and "A History of the American People" cover many of the same periods and themes as Shlaes's work.
Thomas Sowell focuses on economics, society, and politics with an emphasis on free markets and limited government intervention. His books "Basic Economics" and "Economic Facts and Fallacies" share Shlaes's interest in examining the practical effects of economic policies.
Burton Folsom Jr. writes about American economic history with particular attention to the role of entrepreneurs and government policy. His book "New Deal or Raw Deal?" explores the Great Depression era from a perspective similar to Shlaes's "The Forgotten Man."
Virginia Postrel analyzes the intersection of economics, politics, and culture in American society. Her works "The Future and Its Enemies" and "The Power of Glamour" examine how economic and cultural forces shape society, complementing Shlaes's historical analysis.
Paul Johnson authored comprehensive historical works that examine political and economic movements through a conservative lens. His books "Modern Times" and "A History of the American People" cover many of the same periods and themes as Shlaes's work.
Thomas Sowell focuses on economics, society, and politics with an emphasis on free markets and limited government intervention. His books "Basic Economics" and "Economic Facts and Fallacies" share Shlaes's interest in examining the practical effects of economic policies.
Burton Folsom Jr. writes about American economic history with particular attention to the role of entrepreneurs and government policy. His book "New Deal or Raw Deal?" explores the Great Depression era from a perspective similar to Shlaes's "The Forgotten Man."
Virginia Postrel analyzes the intersection of economics, politics, and culture in American society. Her works "The Future and Its Enemies" and "The Power of Glamour" examine how economic and cultural forces shape society, complementing Shlaes's historical analysis.