Rating: 
Summary: Superb development tool
Review: De Soto does a great job of outlining some of the consequences of excessive regulation and lack of a strong rule of law. In three distict industries (transportation, housing and commerce) De Soto shows how productivity and wealth generation are hampered by poor laws and law enforcement. This book is essential for anyone interested in the microeconomics of development.
Rating:
Summary: Superb development tool
Review: De Soto does a great job of outlining some of the consequences of excessive regulation and lack of a strong rule of law. In three distict industries (transportation, housing and commerce) De Soto shows how productivity and wealth generation are hampered by poor laws and law enforcement. This book is essential for anyone interested in the microeconomics of development.
Rating: 
Summary: He almost had me convinced.
Review: De Soto's work was viewed by economists, historians, and politicians alike as breakthrough. He gives us an in-depth look at the Lima's informal sector and postulates, much to the satisfaction of his Washington, D.C. bankroll, that Peruvians are bursting to embrace democracy and market capitalism. Unfortunately, he has twisted Peru's real scenario to reflect what Washington wants to hear. In reality, Lima's informal sector is merely a way for a depraved population to survive, not a radical shift toward capitalism. De Soto's Institue for Liberty and Democracy was funded almost in full by Washington, and the man himself has spent more time in the U.S. than in Peru. This book leans more toward American propaganda than objective analysis. An interesting read, but only with abundant grains of salt.
Rating:
Summary: He almost had me convinced.
Review: De Soto's work was viewed by economists, historians, and politicians alike as breakthrough. He gives us an in-depth look at the Lima's informal sector and postulates, much to the satisfaction of his Washington, D.C. bankroll, that Peruvians are bursting to embrace democracy and market capitalism. Unfortunately, he has twisted Peru's real scenario to reflect what Washington wants to hear. In reality, Lima's informal sector is merely a way for a depraved population to survive, not a radical shift toward capitalism. De Soto's Institue for Liberty and Democracy was funded almost in full by Washington, and the man himself has spent more time in the U.S. than in Peru. This book leans more toward American propaganda than objective analysis. An interesting read, but only with abundant grains of salt.
Rating:
Summary: A primer on development
Review: DeSoto is a genuinely original thinker. This was his first book that argued that regulation in "developing" countries impedes economic development. His most memorable example is one of a small entrepreneur who wants to open a hot dog stand in Peru - with six months of working with government entities - they could get a permit. No wonder why some people choose to work in the grey economy. DeSoto looks at a number of areas where regulation slows down the natural tendency of individuals to be entrepreneurial. The Mystery of Capital - which is his second book - has new data and amplification of his original premise. But this one, which has been translated into many languages and should be used as a guide.
Rating:
Summary: A primer on development
Review: DeSoto is a genuinely original thinker. This was his first book that argued that regulation in "developing" countries impedes economic development. His most memorable example is one of a small entrepreneur who wants to open a hot dog stand in Peru - with six months of working with government entities - they could get a permit. No wonder why some people choose to work in the grey economy. DeSoto looks at a number of areas where regulation slows down the natural tendency of individuals to be entrepreneurial. The Mystery of Capital - which is his second book - has new data and amplification of his original premise. But this one, which has been translated into many languages and should be used as a guide.
Rating: 
Summary: Agreed -- would have been better first
Review: I agree that this book would have been more interesting if read before Mystery, but now the mystery is gone.This is good stuff just the same. Lots of good points that are useful in a classroom.
Rating:
Summary: Really worth 4.5 Stars
Review: I enjoyed this book but was spoiled because I first read "The Mystery of Capital" and then this. This book's stats are somewhat outdated because so much has happened in the last 15-20 years, which takes away from the crispness of the argument, but the argument is still apparent and sound. Although I agree that eliminating government red tape to let more people become a part of the economic system and therefore become plugged into the benefits of the system (eg, a legal work address for customers to reach you at, legal recognition so to advertise, etc.) and thereby allow government to collect more taxes so to (hopefully) put more money toward fighting social problems; I hope de Soto agrees that the economic answer to terroism is not the only answer. Stregthening the economic infrastructure is a strong part of the answer, but much more is also needed for some people to not desire to kill other people, and that may be something which can never be had. Although I would say "The Mystery of Capital" is a must read, this is nonetheless a great supplement to "The Mystery of Capital".
Rating:
Summary: Really worth 4.5 Stars
Review: I enjoyed this book but was spoiled because I first read "The Mystery of Capital" and then this. This book's stats are somewhat outdated because so much has happened in the last 15-20 years, which takes away from the crispness of the argument, but the argument is still apparent and sound. Although I agree that eliminating government red tape to let more people become a part of the economic system and therefore become plugged into the benefits of the system (eg, a legal work address for customers to reach you at, legal recognition so to advertise, etc.) and thereby allow government to collect more taxes so to (hopefully) put more money toward fighting social problems; I hope de Soto agrees that the economic answer to terroism is not the only answer. Stregthening the economic infrastructure is a strong part of the answer, but much more is also needed for some people to not desire to kill other people, and that may be something which can never be had. Although I would say "The Mystery of Capital" is a must read, this is nonetheless a great supplement to "The Mystery of Capital".
Rating:
Summary: Where de Soto started - a brave statement
Review: I love the little jibe provided within the title of Hernando de Soto's "The Other Path." It's a poke at "The Shining Path" (Sendero Luminoso), the Maoist Peruvian terrorist organization that wreaked havoc on de Soto's homeland beginning in 1980. de Soto's attempt in this book is to show that the more effective struggle is to make capitalism more efficient. To those who know de Soto's work, the solutions are well known: build a system of laws that allow one's residents to buy, sell and value property rights; and reduce the complexities and banalities of starting a business.
If you've read de Soto's master work "The Mystery of Capitalism," then there is no new news here. In fact, "The Other Path" will look out-of-date with its yellowing statistics. So why the five stars? As a testament to de Soto's bravery. Think about the guts it took for him to research and publish this book in Peru during the tumultuous and frightening period there. What a statement.
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