Few other economists have been read and cited as much as R.H. Coase, a scholar who approached economics as a philosopher: with contemplation, careful scrutiny of real conditions and consideration of the practical implications of theory. "These essays bear rereading. Coase's careful attention to actual institutions not only offers deep insight into economics but also provides the best argument for Coase's methodological position. The clarity of the exposition and the elegance of the style also make them a pleasure to read and a model worthy of emulation."--Lewis A. Kornhauser, Journal of Economic Literature