Ferguson hold strong opinions on how economies should work and why they don't. At times evidence is used in a contradictory manner (untapped ownership by the poor vs bad Fannie Mac) to support his pre-Keynesian economic views. Some of the statements wouldn't be out of place on conservative talk radio but the use of evidence and historical knowledge elevates this book above the usual patter. Even if you don't agree with Ferguson, the ideas are engaging. The third chapter/lecture on the decline of the legal system is particularly well thought out and argued.