This is one of the most interesting nonfiction books that I’ve read that is truly captivating. Wheelan does an excellent job of breaking down economic concepts like externalities, international trade, protectionism, and the necessity of democracy for economic success with such finesse, detail, and intrigue. While he makes some points that I think gloss over nuance on the downsides of capitalism, he overall does a good job of depicting the market conditions that have created our world. As someone who is solutions- and policy-oriented, I appreciate that he offers a reflection on how we can continually improve by investing in countries with good policies already in place.