Of the fifteen famous scientists, economists and statesmen sketched in this collection of essays, which was first published in 1933, John Maynard Keynes was directly acquainted with all but three. The unique quality of immediacy in these biographical fragments contributes immensely to our more intimate appreciation of the historical significance of these men. This volume is made up of two parts: The first part, titled Sketches of Politicians, includes chapters on Lloyd George, Bonar Law, Lord Oxford and Sir Winston Churchill. The greater portion of the second part, Lives of Economists, is taken up with the lives of Robert Malthun, Alfred Marshall and F. Y. Edgeworth. All are literature, and the reader needn’t be an economist or a specialist to enjoy the excellent flavor of Keynes’ style of writing.

The idiot of the title is the protagonist of the novel, Prince Myshkin. He is a simple, honest man who has not had the benefit of education or a high level of intelligence, but his character is good and he lives by Christian values. At the beginning of the novel Myshkin is returning to St. Petersburg from Switzerland, where he has been under medical treatment for epilepsy. On the train home he meets two people who will play a part in his life. The first of this two is Parfyon Rogozhin, a young man of questionable character. The second person is Lebedev, a government official. When Myshkin arrives in St. Petersburg he moves out into society and meets Nastasya Fillipnova, who Rogozhin is obsessed with. Myshkin is considered an idiot by the St. Petersburg society because he is inarticulate and often stammers when he tries to talk to people.

An interdisciplinary quarterly.

Included in this volume are papers which are recognized as some of the foundations of post-Keynesian Economics, analysing problems set in historical time and starting from 'real world' observations. The book reflects Geoff Harcourt's contribution to economic debate over more than three decades. It also includes intellectual biographies of some of the most prominent and leading unorthodox economists, such as Kenneth Boulding, Eric Russell and Lorie Tarshis.

Dnyaneshwar Agashe (1942–2009) Dnyaneshwar Agashe is a name that has made a mark in diverse fields. He was well-known across Maharashtra as a successful industrialist, a reputed banker, and an able cricket administrator. But this is a collection of articles which presents him in a completely new light. His friends, colleagues, and family shed light on many interesting and hitherto unknown facets of his personality. Originally published in Marathi in April 2002. Reissued in English in April 2022.