Prophet of Innovation

In this summary you will learn

• Why economist Joseph Schumpeter was important
• What contributions he made to economics
• What kind of life he led

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Why you should read Prophet of Innovation

Joseph Schumpeter was brilliant, magnetic, cultured, urbane, witty and engaging. He was superbly educated and he taught at the best universities. He was an accomplished scholar and prolific writer, a snappy dresser and bon vivant, elegant, charismatic and handsome. Colleagues revered him, students loved him and women adored him. His ambition: to become the best economist, horseman and lover in the world. He confessed that, sadly, he failed to meet his goal with horses. Schumpeter was one of the world’s leading economists while he lived, and has become an iconic figure since his death. John Maynard Keynes is widely considered the doyen of economists. However, Schumpeter’s ideas have more impact in our postmillennial era, which some economists have termed the “century of Schumpeter.” Scholar Thomas K. McCraw paints a vivid portrait of this remarkable man, his economic theories and his far-reaching influence. getAbstract suggests that being familiar with Schumpeter is pivotal to understanding today’s entrepreneurial economy. McCraw’s book is a good place to get to know him.

About the Author

Award-winning author Thomas K. McCraw is a professor emeritus of business history at Harvard Business School where he served previously as a director of research, and as chair and co-chair of the business, government and international economy unit.