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Edible Economics

A Hungry Economist Explains the World

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Edible Economics

By: Ha-Joon Chang
Narrated by: Homer Todiwala
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

For decades, a single free-market philosophy has dominated global economics. But this is bland and unhealthy—like British food in the 1980s, when best-selling author and economist Ha-Joon Chang first arrived in the UK from South Korea. Just as eating a wide range of cuisines contributes to a more interesting and balanced diet, so, too, is it essential we listen to a variety of economic perspectives.

In Edible Economics, Chang makes challenging economic ideas more palatable by plating them alongside stories about food from around the world. Structuring the book as a series of menus, Chang uses histories behind familiar food items—where they come from, how they are cooked and consumed, what they mean to different cultures—to explore economic theory. For Chang, chocolate is a life-long addiction, but more exciting are the insights it offers into post-industrial knowledge economies, and while okra makes Southern gumbo heart-meltingly smooth, it also speaks of capitalism's entangled relationship with freedom and unfreedom. Explaining everything from the hidden cost of care work to the misleading language of the free market as he cooks dishes like anchovy and egg toast, Gambas al Ajillo and Korean dotori mook, Ha-Joon Chang serves up an easy-to-digest feast of bold ideas.

Myth-busting, witty and thought-provoking, Edible Economics shows that getting to grips with the economy is like learning a recipe: if we understand it, we can change it—and, with it, the world.

©2022 Ha-Joon Chang (P)2022 Penguin Audio
Economic History Gastronomy History Politics & Government Witty Heartfelt
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What listeners say about Edible Economics

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Loved this

Fascinating insights into how economics makes the world go round. Funny, interesting and great recipes. Great narration.

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Easy to digest lessons for a better world

Another brilliantly put together explanation of how economics and our lives are inextricably linked.

Ha-Joon Chang should be required reading for everyone but especially politicians & policy makers.

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Good introduction

Quite simplified but very good as an introduction to key economic concepts. Would wholeheartedly recommend!

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Great introduction to economic theory and history in an innovative way

I was intrigued by this book after seeing Chang on Politics Live giving his views on Liz Truss’s disastrous mini budget. He presents economics in a very interesting way for the non-economically minded. Each chapter starts with a cooking ingredient which he weaves into the thread of an economic idea that forms the meat of the chapter. He makes it clear how the developed nations made it to where they are through unfair trade and how the current so called free trade system is weighted in their favour. Very thought provoking and nicely read by the narrator. I will be looking into Chang’s other works on audible.

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Bravo

A very engaging, informative and entertaining perspective of the impact fruits and vegetables on the global economy. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

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A must read

A book that will be revisited over and over again: a must read if we must understand the past to inform the future.

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Accessible and interesting

Not a dry book in economic theory but a lively and colourful illustration of principles and ugh focus on sustainable development

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Fascinating and most enjoyable.

What a wonderful and fascinating book this was! I learnt so much about both economics and various world cuisines, their staples and the stories behind them. Most enjoyable and highly recommended!

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Unique view of the world

Sometimes we think economics exist outside our daily realities and capitalism is a theoretical conversation for the media and politicians. This book proves that’s this is not true by using food we all are familiar with to show how these issues affect us every day. Definitely loved the book and have recommended it to my friends and I will be reading more by the author

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Amazing book

I have learned so much about economics from listening to this book. Food is used to explain different approaches to trade, policy, history and inequality. Some chapters made me hungry & others I had to keep rewinding to get my head round the ideas. Economics does not come easy to me and the book really cleared my mind.

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