James Stone (1) (1940–)

My original Five Easy Theses audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

James Stone’s book Five Easy Theses: Commonsense Solutions to America’s Greatest Economic Challenges deserves a listen. The “easy” in title refers to the availability of practical solutions to five overarching economic problems in the United States: fiscal balance, inequality, education, health care, and financial sector reform. The author, well regarded and highly accomplished in the private and public sector, provides clear answers that might be palatable to both sides of the aisle. Rather than a static lecture on what might seem tired problems that have defeated resolution, Stone engages with well-crafted narrative. The subtitle is apt, as he takes us step-by-step through the solutions; the answers seem to add up.

As with most change, his solutions, while plausible and well grounded, would meet with significant opposition from those who would be on the losing side of his proposals, even though he does come from a very middle ground. However, the “commonsense” part of his arguments and lucid logic make these defeated ideas less about whether they would ever work, but the initial warmth that someone has proposed well researched solutions.

What qualifies stone to propose answers to five of the most difficult problems the United States has? He’s a CEO with a background in teaching economics at the highest university level and public work in insurance. More so, his company mirrors the principles from which he articulates his argument. It’s worth a read if only to become a more informed citizen as the November election approaches. After the book, one clearly understands how the candidates could propose solutions to these major problems, and contrast their solutions to Stone’s.

The Narrator
Christopher Grove adds an authoritative, yet logical voice. Though the material is academic complex, his narration is not professorial, but more like the conversational economists Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner of Freakonomics fame. Grove adds a youthful energy to Stone’s ideas. His voice work punctuates the contrast between the commonsense solutions available to these five giant problems, and the frustration readers must feel knowing their legislators will be long in implementing them, if at all. Grove works as more than just a good narrator, it’s a well-matched voice talent/author fit.

Audiobook was provided for review by the publisher.… (meer)