I haven't bought the book yet, I have too many higher priorities right now. But I excited to read it, and have been watching very carefully all of the coverage of the books release.
Some quick thoughts. As an economist, Greenspan should be respected as a very smart, sharp thinker, with broad understanding of the global economy. And although I do disagree with him philosophically and politically; I have to give him credit for that.
From a philosophical and by way of that political perspective. He is a very clever, shrewed marketer of anti-statist Libertarian thought. His understanding of being a successful politician and agenda setter is visible in how he promotes his book, and answers attacks and criticism of his policy. Its the classic parlor trick of hiding the important stuff in one hand by showing you the other.
Even his answers, and perceived attacks of Bush II shouldn't necessarily be seen wholly for what they are. At the end of the day part of this is a political move to punish Bush I for trying to make the Fed cut rates. Anti-statists don't think the Fed should ever keep social policy in mind when making decisions.
I have more to say but Dean Baker is doing a good job of keeping score from an economic standpoint on Greenspans positions. ( here here,here, and here)
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