Binyamin Appelbaum

Binyamin Appelbaum is a prominent American journalist and author who serves as the lead writer on business and economics for the editorial board of The New York Times. His career spans multiple prestigious news organizations, including The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and The Charlotte Observer. During his tenure as a Washington correspondent for the Times, Appelbaum established himself as an authority on economic policy and Federal Reserve coverage. His investigative work at The Charlotte Observer in 2007 gained recognition for exposing problematic housing foreclosure patterns and questionable practices in the homebuilding industry. Appelbaum's most significant literary contribution is his 2019 book "The Economists' Hour," which examines the rising influence of economists in American policy-making from 1969 to 2008. The book received widespread attention for its critical analysis of how economists have shaped modern society and policy decisions. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in history, Appelbaum's background in journalism began during his college years, where he served as an executive editor of the student newspaper, The Daily Pennsylvanian. His work continues to influence public discourse on economic policy and financial matters through his position at The New York Times.

Readers highlight Appelbaum's ability to explain complex economic concepts through detailed historical narratives. His book "The Economists' Hour" draws both praise for its accessible writing style and criticism for perceived bias against free-market economics. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of economic policy evolution - Rich historical details and research - Engaging storytelling approach to dry topics - Balanced coverage of different economic perspectives What readers disliked: - Some view the conclusions as too critical of economists - Several readers note repetitive examples - Technical sections can be dense for non-economists - Some argue it oversimplifies complex economic debates Ratings: - Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.3/5 (280+ reviews) Notable reader comment: "Appelbaum presents a compelling case for how economists gained outsized influence, though his criticism of their impact feels heavy-handed at times." - Amazon reviewer Another reader notes: "The historical research impresses, but the book's thesis seems predetermined rather than emerging from the evidence." - Goodreads review

The Economists' Hour: False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society (2019) Traces how economists gained unprecedented influence in U.S. policymaking between 1969-2008, examining their impact on government decisions and society through key historical events and policy shifts.

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