Features a forgotten book by one of history's greatest thinkers reveals the surprising connections between happiness, virtue, fame, and fortune. "A great book. Makes you feel better about life, humanity, and yourself." (Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan). Adam Smith became the patron saint of capitalism after he penned his most famous work, The Wealth of Nations. But few people know that when it came to our behaviour - the way we perceive ourselves, the way we treat others, and the decisions we make in pursuit of happiness - the Scottish philosopher had just as much to say in an epic, sprawling work titled The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Most economists have never read it, and for most of his life, Russ Roberts was no exception. But when he finally picked up the book by the founder of his field, he realized he'd stumbled upon what might be the greatest self-help book that almost no one has read. In How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life, Roberts examines Smith's forgotten masterpiece, and finds a treasure trove of timeless, practical wisdom. Smith's insights into human nature are just as relevant today as they were three hundred years ago.
What does it take to be truly happy? Should we pursue fame and fortune or the respect of our friends and family? How can we make the world a better place? Smith's unexpected answers, framed within our contemporary context are at once profound, counterintuitive, and highly entertaining. By reinvigorating Smith's neglected classic, Roberts provides us with an invaluable look at human behaviour through the lens of one of history's greatest minds.