Paperbacks: The Price of Inequality, By Joseph E Stiglitz

Though Stiglitz's glorious assault on unfettered markets is directed mainly at the US ("Of the 1 per cent, for the 1 per cent, by the 1 per cent"), we have scant grounds for complacency.

"The UK has the dubious distinction of being the best 'emulator' of the US model." Thirty years ago, UK inequality was average among comparable counties. Now we're second only to the US. Whether the country mainly responsible for global scandals ("in many ways London is at their centre") will pay heed to Stiglitz is questionable.