George Jerome Waldo Goodman (August 10, 1930 – January 3, 2014) was an American writer and commentator who brought the world of finance to a broad readership. Writing under the pen name Adam Smith, he combined clear explanations, anecdote and humor to explain markets, investment behavior and economic ideas. He also published fiction under his given name and contributed essays and commentary for newspapers, magazines and broadcast outlets over several decades. For a concise overview of his career see biographical sources.
Work and style
Goodman's most widely known work is the best-selling book The Money Game, first published in the late 1960s, which explored the psychology and mechanics of speculative markets for a popular audience. He favored conversational prose, memorable metaphors and character-driven sketches of traders, money managers and the financial press. His approach emphasized how social forces, emotion and storytelling shape investment decisions as much as analytic models. Further information about his published writings and journalism can be found at works and publications.
Career highlights and media
Across his career Goodman worked as an economics commentator and wrote widely about markets and policy. He appeared in print and on television, where his ability to explain complex topics in accessible terms attracted a general audience. Critics and readers often noted his blend of skepticism about market myths and a clear-eyed recognition of market dynamism. Contemporary commentary and archival material are indexed at commentary archives.
Fiction, pen name and public persona
Under his real name Goodman published fiction that drew on his knowledge of business and politics; under the pen name Adam Smith he cultivated a distinct public persona tied to economic observation and popular analysis. The choice of pen name echoed the founder of classical economics while signaling an interest in how markets affect everyday life. Background on his use of a pen name is summarized at pen name profile and accounts of his novels and short fiction can be found at fiction bibliography.
Legacy and death
Goodman is remembered for demystifying finance for non-specialists and for influencing how business journalism treats markets. His writing helped shape public understanding of market behavior and inspired later economic popularizers. He died on January 3, 2014, at the University of Miami Hospital at age 83 after suffering from the bone marrow disorder myelofibrosis; further health details are noted in medical summaries at health notice.
- Born: August 10, 1930
- Died: January 3, 2014
- Best known as: Adam Smith (pen name)
- Notable book: The Money Game