Radical revolutionaries, a ripping read

We are in high praise here of Ferdinand Mount’s new book on 12 great political thinkers, from the ancient world to the twentieth century. The chapter on Adam Smith is worth the purchase price alone and who could be more relevant to our times? While we are aware of his commentary on free markets and division of labour, Mount describes his views on the role of government and what it should – and should not – be involved with. (Ahem..!) Oh! And did you know that Smith coined the phrase ‘ nation of shopkeepers’? Grab this book before Turner’s face appears on the £20 note.