This selection of essays by Professor Marques Mendes was written for a broad audience. Yet, the author presents some novel ideas on a wide range of topics from why exports are not all the same to the reasons why trade investors may collide to pay CEOs like rock-stars. The essays in economics are organized in four sections: Economics and capitalism, controversies in economics, economic theories and crisis management. The essays in finance cover topics on investment, risk and taxation. These short essays are both enjoyable and thought-provoking.