We have a range of interviews with experts recommending their best books on development economics. The internationally renowned economist, Jeffrey D Sachs, chooses his best books on millennium development goals, including Ethics for the New Millennium by the Dalai Lama, Manifesto by the theologian Hans Kung, and a speech by John F Kennedy.
Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the founder of the Grameen bank, chooses his best books on a world without poverty. Apart from his own books Creating a World Without Poverty and Banker to the Poor he chooses works of literature that illustrate the lives of the poor. He argues that economics needs to be reframed. Asked whether he could recommend any economics books for students of economics, he replies, “no, not really”.
Professor Pranab Bardhan takes a more middle-of-the road approach to his recommendations on economic development, choosing The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith and works by four other leading economists, including Amartya Sen. George Magnus, former chief economist at UBS chooses his best books on emerging markets and the Ghanaian economist and President of the Free Africa Foundation in Washington DC chooses his best books on Africa through African eyes, arguing that a greater sensitivity to African culture is a pre-requisite to the continent’s improved development.
Rajiv Shah, former head of USAID discusses breakthroughs in development and the economist and microfinance expert, Stuart Rutherford, chooses his best books on the poor and their money.