The Great Transformation
The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time
by Karl Polanyi
1 more
More Recommenders
“My father recommended this book long ago, says Nadella of the 1944 classic by a HungarianAmerican writer who chronicles the development of England’s market economy and argues that society should drive economic change”
Source →Recommended by 3 notable people, including Noam Chomsky and Satya Nadella
Check price on AmazonProof-backed recommendation
Amazon availability
Should I read this?
Recommended by 5 sources and appears in Political Economy, International Relations, and Socialism.
In this classic work of economic history and social theory, Karl Polanyi analyzes the economic and social changes brought about by the "great transformation" of the Industrial Revolution. His analysis explains not only the deficiencies of the selfregulating market, but the potentially dire social consequences of untempered market capitalism. New i...
Looking for Kindle, hardcover, paperback, or audiobook editions?
Check formats, pricing, and current availability directly.
Why recommended
Recommended by 5 sources and appears in Political Economy, International Relations, and Socialism.
Recommended by notable people
People and public figures who have recommended this book.
Recommendation Signals
Recommendation proof is sourced from public posts, interviews, reading lists, and cited references.
Noam Chomsky
Linguist; professor emeritus at MIT
“My father recommended this book long ago, says Nadella of the 1944 classic by a HungarianAmerican writer who chronicles the development of England’s market economy and argues that society should drive economic change”
Appears In
Not sure if this is the right fit?
Consider Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Recommended by 31 sources.
“Outliers reads like a series of captivating magazine profiles, each unpacking a hidden factor behind extraordinary success. Gladwell’s storytelling makes complex social science accessible, but the book relies on memorable anecdotes rather than offering systematic analysis. The book explores the idea that individual brilliance rarely stands alone; success often hinges on birth dates, cultural legacies, and the 10,000-hour rule. While the narratives are strong, the book overgeneralizes from handpicked examples, leaving skeptical readers questioning the conclusions. It’s most useful as a conversation starter about luck and timing—annoying if you want a rigorous academic treatise or a how-to guide for your own life.”
Similar books
How recommendation signals are reviewed
Each recommendation is collected from a public source — interviews, articles, or curated lists — and linked to its original URL. Books with many verifiable recommendations from respected people rank higher.
The Great Transformation
View on Amazon →