Phil Klein, in a low key but deeply reasoned text, critiques economic theory for its misrepresentations of the economy and other shortcomings. In particular, Klein provides a critique of how mainstream economists # creating a corpus of doctrines that seem "quantitative, precise, logical, elegant, rigorous, and beautiful" # have made more of Adam Smith#s "invisible hand" than did Smith himself. Some will agree and others will disagree with various of Klein#s arguments. But all economists, and the discipline itself, will be better off if individual economists will diagnose WHY they agree and disagree, and both the bases and the implications thereof.# # Warren Samuels, Michigan State University, US Economics Confronts the Economy is a challenging and unorthodox look at contemporary economic analysis. Philip Klein presents a highly reasoned and yet personal view of the state of economics today. While his views may be contentious to some, it is an accessible book that will provoke discussion and debate to a wide readership.