What The Wealth of Nations is about
Smith's argument about work, trade, institutions and the sources of shared prosperity. Adam Smith wrote it in 1776. It sits in the economy shelf of the library.
The edition you read
The original text is the Adam Smith, 1776. Edwin Cannan edition, 1904, a public domain edition. The text is complete and keeps its own chapter structure, so every reading points back to the same place in the book.
Where to start
The book opens with these readings, in order. The first one is free in the app.
- Specialisation multiplies output
- Machinery and the hidden network of work
- Chapter ii: of the principle which gives occasion to the division of labour
- Chapter iii: that the division of labour is limited by the extent of the market
How the readings are split
The 187 readings follow the book's own divisions, grouped into 7 parts. Each reading is a sitting of a few minutes, and the reader remembers the paragraph where you stopped.
Reading it in plain English
Every reading has a plain English draft written paragraph by paragraph, and a short guide with context, an explanation, takeaways and a question to think about. The drafts are labeled Unreviewed plain English draft. Drafts, guides and the readings after the first one need Athenaeum Membership.
Questions about The Wealth of Nations
Is The Wealth of Nations free to read?
The Adam Smith, 1776. Edwin Cannan edition, 1904 is in the public domain. In Athenaeum the first of its 187 readings is free, and Athenaeum Membership opens the rest.
How long is The Wealth of Nations?
Athenaeum splits it into 187 readings. Short books take a week of evenings, and long ones work best a reading or two at a time.
Read The Wealth of Nations in Athenaeum
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