A Tale of Two Economies: Hong Kong, Cuba and the Two Men who Shaped Them

This excellent book can be read on a number of levels. A study of two men - both with a clear view that verges on the extreme/purist of their particular philosophy. A study of two countries - who took different paths with very different results. A study of two economic and social models - one form of communism/socialism versus laissez-faire. Examples of the tweaks to those models that can be employed to temper their weak points (and the consequences of failing to do so). A study of two paths for the UK in the coming election (soon to be history itself), Europe and perhaps other economies. All of this is written clearly with plenty of supporting facts to illuminate the discussion. This is a very timely book that any thoughtful person will get something from. Roll on the study of China's economic and political model versus the US!

This book was very enjoyable. It is not too dense and has the correct balance of insight into the lives of Cowperthwaite and Guevara and the economic situations of HK and Cuba. I would have liked some more details of the systems in Hong Kong, for example how their health service and education system actually works. Also, the author was very balanced in my opinion, but I think it is clear he probably has a preference for free-market economics and I think he should have perhaps made this clearer in the introduction.

Absolutely brilliant. If you only read one book on economics in your life, this should be it.Should be required reading not just for every civil servant and member of parliament, before they take up their roles, but also every university student, and voter.As the author so rightly says, do gooders' T-shirts should not bear Che Guevara's image, but Cowperthwaite's.

The media could not be loaded.  Sometimes one can be complacent about western economies and the status quo we currently have. This book is really interesting about how two divergent systems developed and their outcomes. I was particularly impressed it took into consideration issues such as cultures of both countries and other ‘softer’ factors. The questions I had whilst reading where eventually answered. Even though some parts read like an academic text it does have interesting historical stories and overviews which make reading it an easier read.

A very interesting book.

This book really makes you think (as indeed do this author's other two books). Who would have thought of linking and comparing these two economies? Neil Monnery shows very elegantly, and fairly, what a great difference politics can make to the economic progress and fortunes of a nation. I say 'fairly' because one can never exactly compare apples with pears - the geographies and circumstances of the two countries and the key players he focuses on were so very different. But that said, Hong Kong arguably had less going for it than Cuba, but still became an economic powerhouse. This is a book that would be great supplementary reading for any student of economics. Something to make a student think about how the world really works, and why the study of economic history is so important.