This volume contained precious little economics, but made up for it with a healthy dose of the desperate and underhanded side of human nature, though the sometimes subtle, realistic presentation of such characteristics might make it difficult for some people to notice that fact. It also dealt a bit with the complications of a collision between pragmatism, faith, and empirical fact. Much like volume 10, it also presented the uncomfortable truth that sometimes the economic solution is the best, most peaceful solution, despite its lack of high-minded idealism, in a world where idealism typically gets (ab)used as a tool of oppression.

I wonder sometimes how cognizant the author is of the fact his writings so well capture the reasons altruism sounds good but only ends in desolation when allowed to run free, while "enlightened" selfishness navigates treacherous paths to a peaceful conclusion. These are not fairy-tail endings, but that doesn't mean they're bad endings. ( )