William Easterly knows his way not only around economics but also around the developing world. He has written a hard-nosed book about the hardest problem of all: how to get the poorest countries on a path of sustained growth.
Robert M. Solow, Institute Professor of Economics, Emeritus, MIT, and Nobel Laureate in Economics
This is a brilliant, original work. It is simply the best book I know on economic development. Easterly writes with clarity, honesty, and humor. And he is courageous in his analysis of what went wrong with the development policies followed by the World Bank.
Sergio Rebelo, Tokai Bank Distinguished Professor of International Finance, Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University
A highly readable and iconoclastic treatment of the determinants of economic growth.
Richard N. Cooper
Foreign Affairs
It is impossible to convey the depth and range of The Elusive Quest for Growth.
Bruce Bartlett
The Wall Street Journal
Every college student who protests against free trade and every young economist who builds models of development should read this extraordinary book. Easterly presents both the power of simple economic models of the development process and the painfully disappointing track record of official development assistance. He writes beautifully and cares deeply about his subject.
Paul Romer, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University
Curing emerging market poverty is on everyone's list of priorities along with peace on earth. Yet the success has been dismal. This powerful book may help cure the ignorance of people with pat answers, do-gooders, the Seattle-Prague crowd, and economists who have neglected to keep up with the evidence. Far from dry, the book takes you to the scene, gives you the local color, and challenges you to concede that a lot of your prejudices are just that—yet in the process does not throw economics overboard. Brilliant!
Rudi Dornbusch, Ford Professor of Economics and International Management, MIT
