Books by John Kay

Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly

by John Kay

(336 reviews)

A leading economist charts the indirect road to happiness and wealth. Using dozens of practical examples from the worlds of business, politics, science, sports, literature, even parenting, esteemed economist John Kay proves a notion that feels at once paradoxical and deeply commonsensical: The best way to achieve any complex or broadly defined goal-from happiness to wealth to profit to... See More

Length: 242 Pages (1,160 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled

Why Firms Succeed

by John Kay

(1 review)

When John Kay's Foundations of Corporate Success first appeared in the U.K., it commanded the attention of the corporate world--and drew widespread praise. The Financial Times hailed it as "a powerfully argued book, which casts a fresh light on a range of practical business challenges." And Business Age wrote, "You must read John Kay's new book Foundations of Corporate Success. Kay is currently... See More

Length: (4,538 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled

This Particular Kiss

by John Kay (Pearl Editions)

(8 reviews)

THIS PARTICULAR KISS begins with cancer: "when he says, It's probably cancer, / I dog-ear this moment, crease / the corner of this word, Cancer, / as it kisses me for the first time." Most of the poems in this collection of 12 line, sonnet-like poems were written at a time when John Kay was in pain in all ways possible and thought he had very little time to live. He not only tells his own story... See More

Length: 86 Pages (931 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: Feb 1, 2016

A Series of Original Portraits and Caricature Etchings: With Biographical Sketches and Anectoes

by John Kay (HardPress)

This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for kindle devices. We have endeavoured to create this version as close to the original artefact as possible. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we believe they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy. See More

Length: 515 Pages (12,913 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: Jun 17, 2018

Other People's Money: The Real Business of Finance

by John Kay (PublicAffairs)

(254 reviews)

The finance sector of Western economies is too large and attracts too many of the smartest college graduates. Financialization over the past three decades has created a structure that lacks resilience and supports absurd volumes of trading. The finance sector devotes too little attention to the search for new investment opportunities and the stewardship of existing ones, and far too much to... See More

Length: 355 Pages (6,645 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: Sep 22, 2015

What's the Use of Economics? Teaching the Dismal Science after the Crisis

by David Colander

(4 reviews)

On the fourth anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, how could economics possibly have emerged from the financial crisis unreformed? With the crisis still continuing, many economists, as well as people outside the profession, are questioning why economics failed to either send an early warning signal or resolve the situation quickly. The gap between important real-word problems and the... See More

Length: 224 Pages (503 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled

Radical Uncertainty: Decision-Making Beyond the Numbers

by John Kay

(586 reviews)

Much economic advice is bogus quantification, warn two leading experts in this essential book, now with a preface on COVID-19. Invented numbers offer a false sense of security; we need instead robust narratives that give us the confidence to manage uncertainty. "An elegant and careful guide to thinking about personal and social economics, especially in a time of uncertainty. The timing is... See More

Length: (2,448 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled

The Long and the Short of It (International edition): A guide to finance and investment for normally intelligent people who aren’t in the industry

by John Kay (Profile Books)

(302 reviews)

The follies of finance have threatened the stability of the global economy, and the world of finance has become increasingly complex and sophisticated, but also greedy, cynical and self-interested. The Long and the Short of It provides a guide to the complexities of modern finance and explains how to put your finances in the only hands you can confidently trust - your own. In this new, wholly... See More

Length: 244 Pages (867 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: Dec 1, 2016

The Hare and Tortoise

by John Kay (Erasmus Press Ltd)

(9 reviews)

Most business books are bland or dull, or both. This volume is neither. John Kay combines insightful analysis with wit and verve. In this book, we meet heroes as diverse as Sun Tzu, Jacques Derrida, and Jack Welch. We study businesses as diverse as Honda Motors, the grandes marques of Champagne, and Jenners department store in Princes Street, Edinburgh. We learn why size doesn't matter, why... See More

Length: 178 Pages (1,331 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: May 10, 2006

A series of original portraits and caricature etchings Volume 2, Part 2

by John Kay (HardPress)

This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for kindle devices. We have endeavoured to create this version as close to the original artefact as possible. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we believe they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy. See More

Length: 354 Pages (8,572 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: May 6, 2018

A Series of Original Portraits and Caricature Etchings: With Biographical Sketches and Anectoes Volume 1

by John Kay (HardPress)

(1 review)

This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for kindle devices. We have endeavoured to create this version as close to the original artefact as possible. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we believe they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy. See More

Length: 390 Pages (12,145 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: May 23, 2018

The Charismatic Emperors New Clothes

by John Kay

(3 reviews)

In recent years there has been a proliferation of books about the charismatic movement. They have discussed and defined it's history, philosophy, theology and aspirations. Almost all of them have been written by the prominent figures of the movement. Many of the offerings have dealt with controversial issues such as leadership, relationships, demonology and territorial spirits, but few have... See More

Length: 89 Pages (164 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: May 4, 2012

El dinero de los demás: El verdadero negocio de las finanzas (ECONOMÍA) (Spanish Edition)

by John Kay

(8 reviews)

El sector financiero es, sin duda, necesario, pero... ¿lo es también todo lo que le rodea? En los últimos tiempos, el mundo de las finanzas ha crecido demasiado, se ha distanciado de los negocios ordinarios y de la vida cotidiana, para convertirse en una industria muy rentable que principalmente comercia consigo misma, habla consigo misma y se juzga a sí misma según unas reglas propias. El... See More

Lending: Not Enabled

Everlasting Light Bulbs: How Economics Illuminates the World

by John Kay

(7 reviews)

Can economics be fun? Is it relevant to everyday life? John Kay believes passionately that the answer to both questions is yes and in this collection of essays, based on his widely acclaimed "Financial Times" columns, he sets out to prove it. In this book, you will learn why modern advertisements frequently convey no information, understand that tailgating drivers and hedge fund managers are... See More

Length: 184 Pages (1,347 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled

King: Book of David: Book III

by John Kay

At long last, David has become the king that Samuel had predicted he would be. Yet being king proved to be far easier than remaining as king or doing the right thing. David learned lessons, many of them the hard way, as he sought to lead his nation in the ways of the Lord Almighty. There were times when he wished he was just a shepherd-boy on the hills once again. Through it all, David is... See More

Length: 246 Pages (1,038 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: Dec 25, 2019

Book of David

by John Kay

(2 reviews)

A shepherd boy survives fights with a bear and a lion using primitive weapons and then chooses to pit his skills against a nine-foot giant. The king's newest son-in-law avoids the king's attempts to kill him by becoming an outlaw desperately fleeing from one hiding place to another. The new king discovers that becoming king is much easier than staying as king or doing the right... See More

Length: 476 Pages (891 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: Jan 2, 2020

Greed Is Dead: Politics After Individualism

by Paul Collier (Penguin)

(93 reviews)

Two of the UK's leading economists call for an end to extreme individualism as the engine of prosperity 'provocative but thought-provoking and nuanced' Telegraph Throughout history, successful societies have created institutions which channel both competition and co-operation to achieve complex goals of general benefit. These institutions make the difference between societies that thrive and... See More

Length: 194 Pages (1,443 KB)/Lending: Not Enabled/Published: Jul 30, 2020