Although some of the then-contemporary discussions may make the presentation feel a tad dated (e.g., the energy crisis of the late seventies), this easily digestible text is a great place to begin a more thorough overview of the limitations of capitalism. ( )

We all need money to survive and, I am not going to pretend that, were I to learn that I had won millions of pounds, I would be disappointed and reject the opportunity of millionaire status. I can, however, tell you with complete honesty, that money bores me. Those stories of some spotty youth who has made billions with some tacky computer game, kicked a plastic imitation pig's bladder about a field or starred in the latest infinitely forgettable blockbuster film and been rewarded with a multiplicity of king's ransoms, leaves me totally unmoved. It would be pointless, on this basis, to ignore capitalism. It is what makes the 21st century world spin.

Given my feelings towards the subject, it would be tedious in the extreme, to read a host of learned tomes upon the subject but most introductory books leave much to be desired. I have read several of the 'For Beginners' series and never been disappointed: I am pleased to say that, having read this one, my views have not required major review. If you are not au fait with these works, I strongly advise you to remedy the situation.

The 'For Beginners' books are adult comics, in that they are packed with cartoon drawings surrounded by pithy notes. These snippets of information seed themselves effortlessly into the brain, in a way that blocks of text simply fail to do. Were I to have read a standard book, on a topic which I feel the need to grasp, but which does not excite me, I would do well to remember 20% and would probably be required to endure a second reading to gain sufficient grounding. This book, however, I consumed in little more than an hour, quite enjoyed it and retain in excess of 50%, which is more than sufficient for my needs.

The benefits of this type of book do not end there: being lavishly illustrated means that, if at some future time, I need to brush up on one of the 50% of information that hasn't really nestled into my cranial cortex, then the relevant passage is easy to find.

I thoroughly recommend this series for any 'overview' topics or, as an excellent introduction to a subject in which one has an interest, but no grounding. ( )