Description
1938 edition. Hardcover has significant wear, scuffs, and marks. One large stain on the front but is just slightly darker than the other material. No dust jacket. Spine has some wear on top and bottom. Pages have some marks and small tears on some pages but largely are clean and the binding is secure.
This well-worn copy of “The Promises Men Live By” by Harry Scherman offers a fascinating glimpse into the economic and social thought of the late 1930s. Published in 1938, just a few years after the depths of the Great Depression, this book presents Scherman’s “new approach to economics” – a bold attempt to redefine the field in the wake of the economic catastrophe that had shaken the world.
As the founder of the Book-of-the-Month Club, Scherman was a prominent figure in the literary world, and his foray into economics was likely influenced by the tumultuous times. This copy, with its visible signs of age and use, may have been read and discussed by those grappling with the Depression’s aftermath, making it a tangible link to that pivotal era.
Beyond its historical significance, the book itself promises an insightful exploration of economic theory and its intersection with human behavior and values. Scherman’s “new approach” challenged traditional economic models, likely drawing from contemporary thinkers like John Maynard Keynes who advocated for greater government intervention in markets.
For collectors, this edition represents a noteworthy artifact from a turbulent period in economic history, while readers may find Scherman’s ideas thought-provoking, even if some have been superseded by more recent developments in the field.
