The Wealth of Nations – Adam Smith

"It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest."

Published in 1776, Adam Smith's magnum opus investigates the nature and causes of the wealth of nations. He introduces revolutionary concepts such as the division of labor and the "invisible hand," arguing that free markets and self-interest can lead to societal prosperity.

This book is the bible of classical economics. It laid the intellectual foundation for modern capitalism and remains the starting point for any serious understanding of how economies function and generate wealth.