About the book
FINALIST FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2022
THE TIMES BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2021
'A complex story, which Tooze tells with clarity and verve... The world is unlikely to be treated to a better account of the economics of the pandemic' The Times
From the author of Crashed comes a gripping short history of how Covid-19 ravaged the global economy, and where it leaves us now
When the news first began to trickle out of China about a new virus in December 2019, risk-averse financial markets were alert to its potential for disruption. Yet they could never have predicted the total economic collapse that would follow in COVID-19's wake, as stock markets fell faster and harder than at any time since 1929, currencies across the world plunged, investors panicked, and even gold was sold.
In a matter of weeks, the world's economy was brought to an abrupt halt by governments trying to contain a spiralling public health catastrophe. Flights were grounded; supply chains broken; industries from tourism to oil to hospitality collapsed overnight, leaving hundreds of millions of people unemployed. Central banks responded with unprecedented interventions, just to keep their economies on life-support. For the first time since the second world war, the entire global economic system contracted.
This book tells the story of that shutdown. We do not yet know how this story ends, or what new world we will find on the other side. In this fast-paced, compelling and at times shocking analysis, Adam Tooze surveys the wreckage, and looks at where we might be headed next.
'A seriously impressive book, both endlessly quotable and rigorously analytical' Oliver Bullough, The Guardian
Editions of Shutdown
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780141995441
- EBook
- ISBN 9780141995458
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780241508930
Read an Excerpt
FINALIST FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2022
THE TIMES BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2021
'A complex story, which Tooze tells with clarity and verve... The world is unlikely to be treated to a better account of the economics of the pandemic' The Times
From the author of Crashed comes a gripping short history of how Covid-19 ravaged the global economy, and where it leaves us now
When the news first began to trickle out of China about a new virus in December 2019, risk-averse financial markets were alert to its potential for disruption. Yet they could never have predicted the total economic collapse that would follow in COVID-19's wake, as stock markets fell faster and harder than at any time since 1929, currencies across the world plunged, investors panicked, and even gold was sold.
In a matter of weeks, the world's economy was brought to an abrupt halt by governments trying to contain a spiralling public health catastrophe. Flights were grounded; supply chains broken; industries from tourism to oil to hospitality collapsed overnight, leaving hundreds of millions of people unemployed. Central banks responded with unprecedented interventions, just to keep their economies on life-support. For the first time since the second world war, the entire global economic system contracted.
This book tells the story of that shutdown. We do not yet know how this story ends, or what new world we will find on the other side. In this fast-paced, compelling and at times shocking analysis, Adam Tooze surveys the wreckage, and looks at where we might be headed next.
'A seriously impressive book, both endlessly quotable and rigorously analytical' Oliver Bullough, The Guardian
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shutdown about?
FINALIST FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2022
THE TIMES BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2021
'A complex story, which Tooze tells with clarity and verve... The world is unlikely to be treated to a better account of the economics of the pandemic' The Times
From the author of Crashed comes a gripping short history of how Covid-19 ravaged the global economy, and where it leaves us now
When the news first began to trickle out of China about a new virus in December 2019, risk-averse financial markets were alert to its potential for disruption. Yet they could never have predicted the total economic collapse that would follow in COVID-19's wake, as stock markets fell faster and harder than at any time since 1929, currencies across the world plunged, investors panicked, and even gold was sold.
In a matter of weeks, the world's economy was brought to an abrupt halt by governments trying to contain a spiralling public health catastrophe. Flights were grounded; supply chains broken; industries from tourism to oil to hospitality collapsed overnight, leaving hundreds of millions of people unemployed. Central banks responded with unprecedented interventions, just to keep their economies on life-support. For the first time since the second world war, the entire global economic system contracted.
This book tells the story of that shutdown. We do not yet know how this story ends, or what new world we will find on the other side. In this fast-paced, compelling and at times shocking analysis, Adam Tooze surveys the wreckage, and looks at where we might be headed next.
'A seriously impressive book, both endlessly quotable and rigorously analytical' Oliver Bullough, The Guardian
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Shutdown?
Economics, Finance, Business and Management > Economics > International economics
Where can I read a sample of Shutdown?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780141995441
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Shutdown?
Adam Tooze
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Shutdown is available as paperback(ISBN 9780141995441) and ebook(ISBN 9780141995458) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780241508930)
Where can I buy Shutdown online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Shutdown from below
Where can I buy Shutdown?