Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

An Interesting Collection Economics Studies but with a Huge Caveat
The authors put together a very entertaining collection of example of economics applied to a wide variety of problems and situations.The book definitely reflects the current trend in relating what some have called cute-o-nomics, or the less technical side of economics for the general public.The book is filled with interesting examples of current research that challenges some of the accepted notions of the way people behave - it's yet another debunking of the myth of homo economicus, or the ideal economically rational person who acts based on self-interest and cold calculation.There is an edifying discussion about the causes of the current global financial crisis, particularly about how the loan markets became too lax and what the specific incentvies for that were.There are also interesting segments on management, family economics and the like.

Oddly enough, as I read along, at times I felt somewhat uncomfortbale accepting the various findings presented in each case study as the studies referenced sometimes seemed rather limited, at least intuitively.As it turns out, the authors used the final chapter to warn readers against the biases and errors that can enter into economic studies, and to take the studies they presented with a grain of salt.In the end the reader is left on unsteady ground after reading about 50 different case studies.So which, if any, is one to take as truth?That's a lot of time spent reading to feel left adrift.

Interesting research; could be more cohesive
This research sampling (bordering on a survey) is interesting.Covers research results similar to those in recent popular socio-economics books.More results that how research was done.If they went further this book would get huge quickly, or they would pare down the topics and head towards popular, focused book.

I think a fair amount will stimulate lunch/coffee/bar conversations.

What I personally missed was more connecting of research.More cohesion.I started to get discontinuity fatigue if I tried to read and think through more than a chapter at a time.Fun to make connections for yourself but the authors are in a position (their education, access, and profession) to help more that they did.Maybe a better summation at the end of each chapter.Or short chapters in-between these that make a few connections.

Concise summary of recent interesting developments in economics
Each chapter is a concise summary of interesting (and somewhat unconventional) recent developments in economics. Each chapter is short and independent, which made this book a nice companion for a trip. Less entertaining and more reserved than Freakonomics (or other imitations of Freakonomics which appeared recently), but stimulating in a similar manner.

As usual for this kind of book, the authors are bit too harsh on "traditional" approach, especially from a point of view of an economist who works with "traditional" approach. If a reader think that "traditional" economists never thought about some of the issues raised in this book, he/she is wrong. It happens when authors are serious in what they are writing but not researchers on the frontier. But the book, as expected, gives this kind of impression.

So enjoy, but be skeptical simultaneously. Economists might be wrong in many dimensions but are not that stupid.

Great way to read the latest econ research
This is a great way to review a huge swathe of recent economics research from top universities around the world. I teach at a well known US university and actually advise my grad students to read this as a way to survey the literature within about 10 hours. It is also entertaining and memorable and well written (I know some of the papers covered in the book very well, and they report them very accurately). It's better than Freakonomics as a guide to recent economics research, and certainly a lot easier to read than Stokey, Lucas and Prescott!

What is modern economics like?
Laymen always are fascinated by economics and as economist one is frequently confronted with requests for recommendations of "easy to read" introductions to economics. As easy as this question may sound, finding the "right" introductory popular-scientific book is not easy. It depends on how much time you are willing to invest (some people are simply scared off by 700 pages of "Principles of Economics") or whether you're interested in a specific topic (Investing&asset markets: go for Malkiel's "A random walk down wall street", International Trade: go for Krugman's "Pop Internationalism", Growth & Development: go for William Easterly's "An Elusive Quest for Growth" ... etc)

And as if it would not be difficult enough to recommend something when the person who's asking for a book recommendation knows specifically what she is searching for, a lot of people ask about a book on "modern economics". I used to scratch my head then, since I could not even define what the unifying principle of "modern economics" is. (Is it (bounded) rationality? No-arbitrage and equilibrium? Search for identification?) Modern economics became much more of a salad than a melting pot. And this is what this book tries to give a favor of, a delicious mix of stories that fills an important gap. If you want to get an impression of what "economists do", in a clearly written and entertaining fashing (some bon mots that you can enjoy every evening) and at the same time learn something about the current research frontier in economics, this is the book for you. It is very broad in scope (much more so than titles like "Freakonomics" or "Undercover Economist") and up-to-date and will in the future be my standard reference if someone on a cocktailparty asks me for a recommendation of a book on "modern economics". ... Read more

Product Description
Assumes a basic understanding of economics and covers such topics as economic systems, how markets work and production and costs. ... Read more

Product Description
Find out the facts fast with these easy-to-use yet comprehensive overviews

Teach Yourself 101 Key Ideas Economics is perfect for you if you are a student or are just interested in the subject. It provides an interesting and informative account of 101 key ideas in the field, arranged in alphabetical order. No need to read cover to cover--you can just dip in and find the explanations you need! ... Read more

Product Description
Business touches us all. This book explains and clarifies terms and concepts, outlines ideas and visits some of the theorists behind the theories of business. ... Read more

Product Description
Teachers of political science, social studies, and economics, as well as school library media specialists, will find this resource invaluable for incorporating the Internet into their classroom lessons. Over 150 primary source Web sites are referenced and paired with questions and activities designed to encourage critical thinking skills. Completing the activities for the lessons in this book will allow students to evaluate the source of information, the content presented, and it usefulness in the context of their assignments. ... Read more

Product Description
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive.We are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

Product Description
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive.We are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

Product Description
Large-scale, national surveys conducted over thepast two decades have revealed a trend of loweconomic literacy among America?s teens and adults.In addition, research indicates that PK-12 teachersin the United States have limited training ineconomics and often hold negative attitudes towardteaching economics. However, very few studiespublished in educational journals have focused onteaching economics. Social studies methods courseshave been curiously understudied. The purpose ofthis book is to provide insights into preserviceteachers? beliefs and attitudes related to theteaching of economics and to help explain andimprove their intentions to teach economics. Theanalyses provide pedagogical implications for socialstudies methods courses and should be especiallyuseful to professionals in teacher training,economics, and citizenship education, or to othereducators and citizens who have genuine concernsover how to prepare PK-12 students for effectivedecision-making as responsible consumers, workers,and voters at individual and social levels. ... Read more