Shutdown: How Covid Shook the World's Economy

Adam Tooze's book "The End of the Road" is a gripping short history of how Covid-19 ravaged the global economy, and where it leaves us now. It tells the story of the shutdown, which brought the world's economy to an abrupt halt, and looks at where we might be headed next. The book is praised for its clarity and verve, and is considered a must-read for anyone interested in the economics of the pandemic.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

The book "The End of the Road: A New History of the Global Economy" by Adam Tooze has been recognized as a finalist for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing 2022. The Times has also listed it as one of the Books of the Year 2021. The book is a comprehensive and insightful account of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.

Tooze begins by tracing the origins of the pandemic in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. He explains how the initial response from governments and financial markets was slow and inadequate, leading to a rapid spread of the virus across the world. The book then delves into the devastating economic consequences of the pandemic.

Stock markets crashed, causing a loss of trillions of dollars in wealth. Currencies depreciated, leading to inflation and economic instability. Industries such as tourism, hospitality, and oil collapsed, leaving millions of people unemployed. Central banks responded with unprecedented interventions, such as quantitative easing and interest rate cuts, to keep their economies on life-support.

The book also examines the political and social implications of the pandemic. Tooze argues that the pandemic has exposed the fragility of global supply chains and the interconnectedness of the global economy. He also highlights the role of governments in responding to the crisis, with some countries implementing effective measures to contain the virus and support their citizens, while others failed to do so.

The End of the Road: A New History of the Global Economy is a seriously impressive book, both endlessly quotable and rigorously analytical. Oliver Bullough, writing in The Guardian, praised it as "a seriously impressive book, both endlessly quotable and rigorously analytical." The book provides a valuable insight into the economic challenges facing the world in the aftermath of the pandemic and offers a roadmap for rebuilding and recovering from the crisis.

In conclusion, "The End of the Road: A New History of the Global Economy" by Adam Tooze is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the future of the global economy. The book's comprehensive and insightful analysis provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of this critical period in history.

Weight: 282g
Dimension: 197 x 127 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141995441