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The Undercover Economist & Fifty Things That Made The Modern Economy 2 Books Collection Set by Tim Harford - Non Fiction - Paperback

SKU PLD8696

ISBN: 9789124067274

Publisher: Abacus
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Original price £19.98 - Original price £19.98
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Titles in This Set:
The Undercover Economist
Fifty Things that Made the Modern Economy

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback

Overview:
Tim Harford’s two-book collection brings together his acclaimed, accessible approach to economics: a sharp look at how markets shape everyday life and a broader tour of the ideas that propelled the modern economy. The Undercover Economist unlocks the hidden forces behind ordinary purchases and choices—wondering why coffee at Waterloo Station costs what it does, why the property ladder feels so unreachable, and how incentives influence immigration and policy. It translates abstract theory into vivid, memorable stories that illuminate what drives price, risk, and opportunity in real-world markets. Paired with Fifty Things that Made the Modern Economy, readers gain a sweeping, engaging itinerary through fifty pivotal inventions and ideas—from money to the spreadsheet—that quietly rewired wealth, productivity, and daily life. This paperback collection is perfect for curious minds seeking clear explanations, practical insights, and a trustworthy guide to how the economy actually works. A thoughtful gift for graduates, professionals, students, and any reader who loves well-structured non-fiction.

What Makes This Collection Special:
Though each book stands on its own, together they form a cohesive reading journey from micro decisions to macro transformations. The Undercover Economist teaches you to spot how price signals, incentives, and competition shape everyday choices, turning ordinary experiences into economics case studies. Fifty Things that Made the Modern Economy then widens the lens, revealing how fifty big ideas and innovations—currency, measurement, transport, data, and finance among them—created the modern wealth machine. The pair complements by offering both practical thinking tools and historical context, helping readers connect daily habits with global progress. The result is a standout, binge-friendly set that deepens financial literacy, sharpens critical thinking, and fuels informed discussion—perfect for study, gifting, or personal enrichment.

Books Included in This Collection:
The Undercover Economist
Step into the everyday economics of cities, markets, and policy with Tim Harford’s accessible, engaging guide. This book unpackss how seemingly simple choices—where to buy coffee, how housing prices are shaped, why immigration policies work the way they do—are driven by incentives and hidden costs. Written in crisp, witty prose, it translates complex concepts into memorable scenarios you’ll recognize from daily life. It’s an ideal entry point for anyone curious about economics, as well as a refreshing refresher for readers who want to see theory in action in streets, stores, and boardrooms.

Books Included in This Collection:
Fifty Things that Made the Modern Economy
This brisk, readable tour collects fifty influential inventions and ideas that quietly powered modern wealth and progress. Harford threads history with clear explanation, showing how items like money, credit, and data-enabled tools reshaped work, risk, and growth. Each entry connects a turning point to tangible outcomes in everyday life, making big economic ideas approachable for history buffs, business students, and curious readers alike. The book’s variety—technical, practical, and cultural—keeps readers engaged while building a broader understanding of how innovation drives prosperity.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This duo is ideal for adults and students who want to demystify economics without jargon. It suits curious readers seeking practical insight into money, markets, and decision-making, as well as gift buyers looking for a thoughtful, high-quality non-fiction set. Perfect for graduates starting a career, professionals seeking sharper analytical tools, or book lovers compiling a home library that informs as it entertains. If you enjoy clear storytelling, memorable examples, and a credible voice that makes big ideas feel accessible, you’ll cherish this Tim Harford pairing.

Key Benefits:

  • Clarifies how everyday choices are shaped by incentives and price signals
  • Bridges micro decisions with macro economic outcomes
  • Delivers engaging, real-world case studies that stick
  • Enhances financial literacy and critical-thinking skills
  • Presents two complementary perspectives in one value set
  • Written by a bestselling author known for accessible non-fiction
  • Ideal for gifting graduates, students, and curious minds

About the Author:
Tim Harford is a British economist and journalist celebrated for making economics engaging and understandable. As a longtime Financial Times columnist and a widely read author, he is renowned for turning complex ideas into compelling stories that illuminate how incentives, risk, and innovation shape our world. The Undercover Economist (2005) popularized his clear, practical approach to markets, while Fifty Things that Made the Modern Economy (2014) showcases the wide-ranging ideas and inventions behind modern wealth. Harford’s approachable voice, rigorous research, and knack for storytelling have earned him a broad, loyal readership hungry for accessible perspectives on money, work, and progress.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
Two essential introductions to how the economy actually works, now joined in one premium paperback collection. The Undercover Economist delivers tight, memorable lessons in microeconomics, while Fifty Things that Made the Modern Economy offers a sweeping history of the ideas and innovations that powered global growth. Together, they provide a complete reading journey—from everyday decisions to the grand forces behind wealth. It’s an excellent gift, a valuable desk reference, and a bookshelf staple that sparks conversation and deep thinking about money, markets, and opportunity.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.

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