I got this book via Interlibrary Loan from the University Near Here. Originally from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Thanks to all involved.
The author, Matthew Hennessey, is the WSJ's deputy op-ed editor. And occasional columnist. The book was a finalist for the 2023 Hayek Book Prize given by the Manhattan Institute.
Hennessey's style is informal and laced with humor and personal reflections. He takes the reader over the basics, chapter by chapter, showing how (see the subtitle) free markets "miraculously" produce prosperity via the action of billions of individuals that are making choices, responding to incentives, usually just trying to make an honest living. A penultimate chapter looks at the "anti-marketers" (e.g., Senator Bernie) and refutes their arguments.
Particularly charming: the story of how his parents, after years of various jobs, became small-businesspeople after buying a local bar, slowly turning it from a dive into a respectable joint. (I'm reading between the lines a bit here.)
Readers who have read other pro-capitalism books might find this one to be a little basic. Hennessey writes that his initial plan was to write this book for his kids, as an introduction to basic economics. And I can heartily recommend it for bright youngsters (or oldsters, for that matter) who are looking for such a thing.
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