At 390 pages, divided into 15 chapters, The Forgotten Man> is not light reading. I recently completed an adult college program; the book is more interesting than many of the texts I read for the program; as a text, it offers starting points to lively class conversation and essays. It serves as a great introduction to the topic "Why Monetary Policy Matters" for those of us who might not have considered this question before this current economic downturn, and provides insight into the debate surrounding bailout and stimulus packages.
Shlaes is frankly conservative in her views and articles; Roosevelt is not portrayed as the conquering hero (although his radio voice is admired). In her view, even Hoover was tinkering with the markets too much, with regressive tariffs, and New Deal policies prolonged the economic downturn. Anyone looking for a progressive spin that heralds the democratic party as the hero of the Great Depression will be disappointed.
At the same time, one didactic answer is not provided; instead, it is a story of a conflict. Readers will find additional insight into the struggle, things that were tried, what worked and what did not. Both liberal and conservative readers will find information that helps them evaluate their own priorities and work towards a balanced answer that serves the greatest long-term good.
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