Is The Second Machine Age better than A World Without Work?

The Second Machine Age ranks higher in our list of career and future-of-work books (#2 against #6, score 89.0 against 86.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. A World Without Work is best for: automation, paid work and policy responses. The Second Machine Age is best for: economics of digital technology and jobs.

Which is cheaper, A World Without Work or The Second Machine Age?

A World Without Work: Print editions sold by booksellers; price varies by seller. The Second Machine Age: Sold as a print book; price varies by seller.

Comparison · Career and future-of-work books

A World Without Work vs The Second Machine Age: which is better in 2026?

A World Without Work86.5#6 in best career and future-of-work books

The Second Machine Age89.0#2 in best career and future-of-work books

The Second Machine Age ranks higher in our list of career and future-of-work books (#2 against #6, score 89.0 against 86.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.

How we rank Share

86.5
Editorial score
89.0
1
Formats
1
No
Free to use
No

Which should you choose?

Choose A World Without Work if you want

Automation, paid work and policy responses.

An economic argument about how automation could reduce paid work, with a focus on policy responses. Its forecasts are speculative, so it ranks below the empirical economics of The Second Machine Age.

Choose The Second Machine Age if you want

Economics of digital technology and jobs.

The strongest economic analysis here of how digital technology affects productivity, jobs and inequality. It predates generative AI, so its views on tools are older, but its framework still explains the wider debate.

Side by side

	A World Without Work	The Second Machine Age
Score	86.5	89.0
Rank in list	#6 of 12	#2 of 12
Price	PaidPrint editions sold by booksellers; price varies by seller	PaidSold as a print book; price varies by seller
Free to use	No	No
Formats	Print	Print
Author	Daniel Susskind	Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee
Main angle	Automation and the future of paid work	Economics of digital technology
Best reader	Policy readers and economists	Economists, policy readers and executives
Draws on research or data	Yes	Yes
Best for	Automation, paid work and policy responses	Economics of digital technology and jobs
Strengths	Focused on technology and the future of work Covers policy responses as well as forecasts Paperback edition from Picador	Economic analysis of productivity and jobs Covers digital technology beyond AI alone Clear framing of automation and inequality
Limits	Forecasts are speculative and contested Little practical advice for individual careers	Predates generative AI, so its tool examples are older Focus is economic, with little practical guidance
Links	Visit site	Visit site

Questions about A World Without Work vs The Second Machine Age

Is The Second Machine Age better than A World Without Work?: The Second Machine Age ranks higher in our list of career and future-of-work books (#2 against #6, score 89.0 against 86.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. A World Without Work is best for: automation, paid work and policy responses. The Second Machine Age is best for: economics of digital technology and jobs.
Which is cheaper, A World Without Work or The Second Machine Age?: A World Without Work: Print editions sold by booksellers; price varies by seller. The Second Machine Age: Sold as a print book; price varies by seller.