"A thorough and engaging introduction to the ideas that made Gary Becker one of the most influential economists in modern times."--Kevin Murphy coeditor of "The Economic Approach: Unpublished Writings of Gary S. Becker"

"You don't need a PhD from the University of Chicago to appreciate Human Capital for Humans―but you might want to pursue one after you finish! A rollicking ride through basic questions concerning the human condition, as seen through the lens of economics."--Angela Duckworth author of "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance"

"In Human Capital for Humans, Pablo A. Peña brilliantly captures the essence of what makes economics not just about markets or money, but about people. Drawing on the revolutionary insights of Nobel laureate Gary Becker, Peña takes readers on an eye-opening journey, exploring how our everyday decisions shape who we become and what we achieve. If you want to learn to think like a University of Chicago economist, skip the PhD and read this book instead."

"This very fine book achieves the dual purpose of making human capital theory more engaging for seasoned experts while remaining accessible to a broader audience. It also serves as a fitting tribute to Professor Gary Becker, a towering figure in this field of economic analysis. His insights have been instrumental in understanding human behavior and formulating key strategies for development, which can now be further disseminated thanks to Pablo Peña."--Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León Yale University Former President of Mexico

"With a lively narrative, Human Capital for Humans explains in an accessible way some of the most remarkable contributions of one of the most influential economists in recent memory, Gary Becker. It is a great introduction to human capital theory and even to economics in general, placing human beings and their most consequential decisions front and center. The book is a terrific reminder that economics is ultimately about people, and that it can be absolutely fun."--Michael Kremer corecipient of the 2019 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics

"[A] crisp, entertaining, and empirically grounded tour of what makes all economic systems tick (and indeed falter). . . . It's an essential and somewhat optimistic read in a moment when artificial intelligence threatens to compete with humanity's comparative advantages."-- "The Financial Times"

"Peña deserves important recognition for skillfully compiling Gary Becker's Human Capital course, demonstrating both originality and scholarly excellence. This book is real Chicago economics. . . . Written in accessible and engaging prose, the book exposes the theory of human capital in a narrative that is both rigorous and accessible. . . . Becker was not only a great economist but also a remarkable teacher, and his celebrated course on human capital provided the foundation for much of this tradition. Human Capital for Humans continues that legacy by bringing the insights of his lectures to a broader audience."