Exploring the intricate relationship between money and human civilization, this book delves into how currency has influenced social structures, economies, and cultures throughout history. David McWilliams, an esteemed global economist, presents a compelling narrative that connects economic theories with real-world implications, making complex concepts accessible to readers. Ideal for fans of SAPIENS and economic discourse, it offers insights into the evolution of money and its profound impact on society.
Renaissance Nation is a thrilling account of Ireland's vertiginous rise and a
timely exploration of its conflicted present, where stark decisions await the
next generation of would-be revolutionaries.
Exploring the evolving landscape of Irish society, the author delves into contemporary issues and challenges facing the nation. Through insightful analysis and engaging narrative, the book addresses key themes such as identity, culture, and social change, offering a thought-provoking perspective on what lies ahead for Ireland. It combines personal anecdotes with broader societal observations, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the future of Ireland and its people.
A forensic, entertaining polemic from the author of The Pope's Children, this work examines Ireland's dire economic situation, deeply in debt and reliant on the IMF, EU, and bond markets. With an economy frozen and years of austerity looming, the author argues that it didn't have to be this way. David McWilliams, who accurately predicted the dangers of the Irish property bubble, delves into the unusual economics behind Ireland's current crisis and proposes an alternative path. He highlights the impact of debt and austerity on everyday Irish citizens, asserting that austerity is ineffective. By drawing from historical examples, he suggests that recovery is possible if we remain open to innovative solutions. This book connects economics to the lives of ordinary people, similar to how The Pope's Children linked economics to the boom years. With a more urgent call for a new approach, it addresses the challenges of the bust era. McWilliams's ability to make complex economic narratives engaging and his humor set him apart. He is recognized as a leading popular economist and a columnist for major publications, advocating for fresh policies informed by established economic theory.
Named for the ironic coincidence of the Irish baby boom of the 1970s, which peaked nine months to the day after Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Dublin, The Pope’s Children is both a celebration and bitingly funny portrait of the first generation of the Celtic Tiger—the beneficiaries of the economic miracle that propelled Ireland from centuries of deprivation into a nation that now enjoys one of the highest living standards in the world.
Meet The Pope's Children, the beneficiaries of Wonderbra Economics. This is the special generation, the Irish baby boom of the 1970s that peaked nine months to the day after the Pope's visit. There are 620,000 of them, squeezed into the middle and lifted up by the Expectocracy. Ireland is blurring. Out of this haze has come the Full-on Nation, the most hedonisitic generation ever. David McWilliams' brilliant research and analysis of Ireland is a celebration of success. In an easy-to-read style, he takes us to Deckland, that suburban state of mind where you will find the Kells Angels, Breakfast Roll Man, Low GI Jane and RoboPaddy. Come face to face with the You're a Star generation, Billy Bunker, fair-trade Frank, Carrot Juice Contrarians and Bouncy Castle Brendan. We also meet the HiCos, Hibernian Cosmopolitans, the new elite whose distance from Deckland is measured by appreciations and cultivations that Deckland's rampant credit just can't buy. Entertaining and informative, The Pope's Children told of the vast surge of ambition, money, optimisim and hope in Ireland during the boom.
