The Rise and Fall of Nations: Forces of Change in the Post-Crisis World

In this lively and informative book, Sharma explains his system of 10 rules for identifying economies with good potential. Among the striking conclusions is his bearishness about China, largely because of its huge and growing indebtedness.-- (07/01/2016)

Entertaining, acute and disarmingly honest. . . . [Sharma] has a knack for sharp comparisons between countries. Australia's history of high immigration is contrasted with Japan's insularity. . . . He is pithy, too. In countries with rotten financial systems, 'a shake-up of banking is a shake-up of society.' . . . Mr. Sharma's book is a fine guide to the great emerging market boom and bust.-- (06/04/2016)

Compelling. . . a success. . . . The local insight adds color, while the data reassures us that his analysis is underpinned by more than a series of conversations with taxi drivers. . . . Much more than an investment primer. The issues he deals with, from growth to inequality, are of much broader interest. . . . This does not necessarily mean he will be right --but it does mean his projections are more easily testable. . . . Sharma's book provides a good guide for working out what will come next.-- (06/16/2016)

A vital guide to the new economic order. . . . Sharma has been one of the prescient seers of the Chinese debt crisis.-- (06/09/2016)

If you have been wondering what's happening to the world--why for example has England voted to commit economic suicide by leaving the European Union?. . . . The Americans have voted for Donald Trump. . . Donald Trump? What's going on? Is there a rightwing, anti-immigrant backlash, or is it more complex? In fact much of what is happening is following a pattern, a pattern of global trends that this book has in great detail and mastery documented. . . . An amazing read, I learned a lot from it, and its out-of-the-box thinking.-- (06/27/2016)

The book is so lively and wandering that it is possible to miss the 10 rules and enjoy it just as a record of Sharma's learning them.-- (05/21/2016)