August 26, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — Humberto Barreto, Elizabeth P. Allen Distinguished University Professor and professor of economics and management at DePauw University, contributes a book review to the September 2011 edition of
Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. Dr. Barreto offers his take on the third edition of History of Economic Thought: A Critical Perspective by E.K. Hunt and Mark Lautzenheiser.
"As expected, the core remains unchanged -- interpreting economists utilizing a litmus test of whether capitalism is seen as a stable, harmonious process or a volatile, hostile affair. Hunt (Univ. of Utah) and Lautzenheiser (Earlham College)
lean strongly toward the latter and see their transparency as a distinctive mark of their work. They argue that trying to be value free is 'either a self-deception or an attempt to deceive others.' "
Barreto notes, "This reviewer read this book years ago and was fully expecting a resounding 'I told you so!' given the 2008 recession, but that may have to wait for the fourth edition."
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Learn more about Bert Barreto in this previous story or this feature.