viii THE GENERAL THEORY OF EMPLOYMENT

experimental. In this book, even more perhaps thanin writing my Treatise on Money , I have depended onthe constant advice and constructive criticism of Mr.R. F. Kahn. There is a great deal in this book whichwould not have taken the shape it has except at hissuggestion. I have also had much help from Mrs.Joan Robinson, Mr. R. G. Hawtrey and Mr. R. F.Harrod, who have read the whole of the proof-sheets.The index has been compiled by Mr. D. M. Bensusan-Butt of King’s College, Cambridge.

The composition of this book has been for theauthor a long struggle of escape, and so must thereading of it be for most readers if the author’s assaultupon them is to be successful,—a struggle of escapefrom habitual modes of thought and expression. Theideas which are here expressed so laboriously areextremely simple and should be obvious. The diffi-culty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping fromthe old ones, which ramify, for those brought up asmost of us have been, into every corner of our minds.

J. M. KEYNES

December 13 , 1935