Product Description
Steve Slavin’s lively and comprehensive Economics has a student-friendly, step-by-step approach; value pricing; and a built-in Workbook/Study Guide.Instructors and students like the author’s humorous anecdotes, direct language, patient step-by-step treatment of math, and easy conversational style. The text encourages active rather than passive reading. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great economics with little opportunity cost
The book was as they listed. It arrived earlier than stated. This book was in excellent condition.

Excellence
I received my book in a timely fashion and it was in excellent condition. We should all strive for excellence.

Thank you

Economics
IT SUCKS!!! I have not even recieved the product and I ordered it over a month ago.

Economics
The book Was intresting to read ,and informative.I ordered it because I needed it for a class.

Economics Textbook
The book came in perfect shape. At first when I purchased the book, I was skeptical that a book so cheap would be real or come in good shape. But it did and am very happy with my purchase. It also came within the time specified. It is a wonderful site to buy textbooks. ... Read more

Product Description
Samuelson's text was first published in 1948, and it immediately became the authority for the principles of economics courses. The book continues to be the standard-bearer for principles courses, and this revision continues to be a clear, accurate, and interesting introduction to modern economics principles.Bill Nordhaus is now the primary author of this text, and he has revised the book to be as current and relevant as ever. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

just as stated
textbook arrive on time.
textbook was in excellant condition
thanks to the sellers

Sameulson started this new edition trick years ago
This Nobel price winning economist used his genius and came up with the new edition trick. Now it has become common practice in the textbook business. They come up with new editions often with little substantial changes and charge high prices. When I was going to college in the 70s he was already doing it. Over the years this craft has been refined into an art form; pity the poor parents and students.

Extraordinary price????
How can this book possibly cost $169.90?? It's been in print for decades and has sold well.My old college copy has a price of $7.95 stamped in it!What is going on???

EXCELLENT A++
One of the greatest books of its era. Very easy to understand and study with. Great choice!! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

Three University Texts on Economic Growth
"Economic growth" continues to be of interest largely because of the large part of humanity whose living standards are so very substantially worse than the middle-class norm of OECD countries.Economists are as interested as anyone else, whence university texts full of economists' economic growth research:

-- Acemoglu, "Introduction to Modern Economic Growth" (2009)
-- Aghion and Howitt, "The Economics of Growth" (2009)
-- Weil, "Economic Growth" (2nd ed., 2009)

As a Ph.D. economist who has resided and worked for the past thirty years in low-income areas of several continents, in countries of which the wealthiest was Egypt, "Economic Growth" is a daily interest.How does the enterprise sector relate to what attracts our attention to low-income countries in the first place: hunger, physical insecurity, abusive social relations?Does it pass these problems by, or does it alleviate them?Should interested outsiders care about "the economy" and if so what should they do?Or should they concentrate on relief, or on political reform?

This review of the three texts listed above looks at them from the point of view of their usefulness in relation to this particular interest.

Although Weil's undergraduate text stays away from the mathematics that dominate the other two, all three books are quite similar in that each is an encyclopedic exposition of models of aggregate growth, along with numerous factors that have been suggested to affect it.None is a monograph that states and defends a thesis.They all prepare a student to grapple with problems in the hope that the students will solve them.

Perhaps that is the fate of a textbook: anything more assertive would be commercially limiting.

Nonetheless, the result is a certain defensiveness.The task of the two graduate texts in particular seems to be to demonstrate that, if observation of low-income countries or of growth should give rise to an idea, then the economics profession can model it.

This is not to say that the authors haven't had ideas.But none of these texts is a handbook of things to be done: how to create economic growth or improve its quality.The implication, unfortunately, is that the authors don't have that toolkit to offer.(The graduate texts are, however, handbooks on how to model.)

The reader will learn quite a bit about the world from Weil's book, which is more descriptive than the other two.Aghion and Howitt's is immensely learned, but Acemoglu's book stands out in a couple ways.First, it is the only one to cross the line and become an applied mathematics textbook pure and simple.Secondly, however, its great length affords space for an "Epilogue," an explicit outlier that contains some non-mathematical statements.And it's here where I can pin-point what seems to me to be the underlying methodological error.

Acemoglu says about Chinese history, on page 867 (!): "When prospects for economic growth conflicted with political stability, the elite opted for maintaining stability, even if this came at the expense of potential economic growth.Thus China tightly controlled ... ."

Let me state the principle that Acemoglu has violated here: Things don't happen for causes.Things happen because people do them.

If things happened for causes, then we might indeed model cause and effect -- and probably conclude that that's all we could do.

But all the models and history are after the fact.If the fact were different, we'd be modeling that instead.And it always might have been different.China's history, in point of fact, finally did read: "Even though the measures required for economic growth conflicted with political stability, the elite found a way to take the measures and preserve political structures, resulting in massive benefits that ultimately were both economic and political."China's elite might very well have done this at any time; it's not for us to say that they couldn't have.

Acemoglu also overlooked this principle of action in the section on pp. 868-70 about Western Europe's growth after 1800.He says that two things were different in the pre-1800 period: no systematic investment in human capital, and the presence of "authoritarian" political regimes.But he then ignores investment in human capital in his story of the post-1800 period.

This is a fatal error.People make the political institutions what they are, make the families what they are, and make the firms what they are."Things happen because people do them."

People who bring about change do not drop from outer space; they "distill their frenzy" from somewhere, and it's usually from an intellectual outlook they encountered in schools and universities.

If we hope low-income countries' enterprises will become more world class, their owners and managers must have this as their vision.If we hope that international standards of human rights will prevail, then social leaders must have that as their vision.And if we hope that Total Factor Productivity will rise in low-income countries, it is people who will make that happen.

It is actually a bit odd that all three texts should tell the basic story whose thread runs through savings, capital accumulation, TFP, and innovation without tackling what Acemoglu calls (p. 873) "the industrial organization of innovation."I give Acemoglu credit for this excellent term.

Surely the industrial organization of innovation would include universities investing in human capital, but perhaps this kind of investment will have to have happened more widely in low-income countries before it's modeled.

I conclude by reiterating that each of these three texts is truly encyclopedic and extremely impressive.

Great!!
This book, by one of the most respected contributors to macro, is a one stop shop for economic growth. It is a great book for understanding the fundamentals of macro theory as well as the progression of the theoretical and empirical work in every sub field of growth. It is a must for all graduate students, and I am sure it will be great addition to any researchers collection.

The standard book to study economic growth
I love this book, it contains all modern economic growth models, but it also has the basic ones that gave birth to this new branch of models. A former student of D.Acemoglu taught me a Macro course based on this book and it was amazing. I also recommend it for self study because explanations are very clear. Math requeriments are standard, but it also has some appendixes where he explains all math needed to understand advanced economics.

Your best companion
Here is how good this book is. I recently moved and, upon organizing my economics books on my bookshelves, I had a truly hard time figuring out where to put Acemoglu's Introduction to Modern Economic Growth.

It could be beside my other growth theory textbooks, which will have to accept their place as just timid predecessors of this amazingly comprehensive and yet equally pedagogical volume. Or, given its excellent treatment of Dynamic Optimization Methods, I could place it by the couple of best graduate-level Macroeconomic and Macroeconomic Methods textbooks around. Even placing it along my Microeconomics textbooks did not seem far-fetched; Acemoglu truly conveys much of the intricacies of General Equilibrium Theory with a clarity I have not found elsewhere. And then, of course, the Mathematical Appendix has been such a useful constant reference since I have the book, that I could well put it together with my Mathematical Economics books.

As a young economist, I have no doubt that this book will be a great companion in the years to come and I recommend it to anyone who is passionate about economics.

Excellent; a must-have for those interested in growth theory
It's sad to see how this forum is used by "geniuses" such as Thornstein Veblen (who probably hasn't read the book) to write uninformative reviews that make no sense. I guess the profound influence that Acemoglu has had on economists across the world as well as the John Bates Clark medal granted to him by the American Economic Association in 2005 speak for themselves...

Now let's move to the book (which is what these reviews are supposed to be about):

I've had the opportunity to go through the book carefully and I think it is hard to find an economics textbook that is as comprehensive and self-contained as this one.

The first part convincingly motivates what the most important open questions in the study of economic growth are. It even touches on topics such as institutions, and geography which many growth textbooks often ignore.

The chapters in parts I-III are very useful for teaching an intermediate course in Economic Growth, with very detailed and rigorous explanations of the formal arguments. I loved the fact that he takes the time to go through some of the details of the proofs which is very helpful both for students and teachers.

Parts IV-VIII contain more advanced material on very relevant topics such as technology, trade, and political economy. I especially liked part VIII on the Political Economy of Growth which only a textbook written by Acemoglu, who has made some of the most recent substantial contributions to this field, could include.

Last but not least, I am sure students will be very thankful for the very detailed Mathematical Appendices that level the field (to some extent) for students with different mathematical backgrounds.

In sum, I totally recommend this textbook to both intermediate and graduate students interested in the study of economic growth. Only an economist who has made contributions to some of the topics covered in the book could write such a great textbook. ... Read more

Product Description

Still Keeping it Real and More Accessible Than Ever!

Hubbard & O'Brien keeps it real in the third edition with updated examples, data, and end-of-chapter problems, providing the most up-to-date discussion on the recession/financial crisis and the monetary and fiscal policy response.

Hubbard & O'Brien is the only book that motivates students to learn economics through real business examples.

The #1 question students of economics ask themselves is:  "Why am I here, and will I ever use this?"  Hubbard/O'Brien answer this question by demonstrating that real businesses use economics to make real decisions daily.  This is motivating to all students, whether they are business majors or not.  All students can relate to businesses they encounter in their everyday lives.  Whether they open an art studio, do social work, trade on Wall Street, work for the government, or bartend at the local pub, students will benefit from understanding the economic forces behind their work.

The book motivates users by demonstrating how real businesses use economics to make real decisions on a daily basis.  Covers the different Market Structures in an intuitive fashion so that readers of all backgrounds and fields can grasp the importance and flow of these concepts.  Chapter opening cases, examples and figures motivate the economic principles covered, while Solved Problems provide models of how to solve an econommic problem - keeping readers focused on the main ideas of each chapter, and preventing them from getting bogged down due to a lack of basic math or "word problem" skills.

Customer Reviews (6)

Useful book, though definitely pro-free market
If you're looking to learn the basics of economics, this is a very good book. Having said that, the book is written by a well-known defender of the free market, so one can detect the pro-capitalist bias throughout the book. Also, if you're interested in lifting weights, you can do that too with this book. It's huge!

Wrong book
My school told me to buy the wrong book. Not really the sellers fault. It took a little bit for my book to arrive, but I sent it back right away and the refund was prompt.

Great
Ahh this book has come very much in handy this semester, my professor doesn't always go into the very very deep details, but luckily I have this to fall back on, and its great! I recieved it very quickly, very good service on the seller's part.

perfectly satisfied
i needed this book for my economics class, but i didn't want to spend $208 at the bookstore. great choice. shipment came on time. book in good condition. came with some unwanted post-it notes, but who cares?!

Great book
Easy to understand but still delves into complex concepts. I loved the examples that the author uses, so the point where sometimes when studying I would get distracted by anecdotes and start reading all the way through totally engrossed. It is very interesting. ...Too bad I screwed up the class anyways... took too many courses. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent for Strategic Networks
Jackson has really produced a wonderfully cogent book with an economic approach to studying networks. To be clear, the book is aimed at readers with a degree of mathematical sophistication. He examines how (cooperative and non-cooperative) game theory can be applied to networks, i.e. models of friendship between individuals, alliances between firms and other similar situations. The empirical analysis of networks is treated in a couple of chapters, but perhaps deserves a separate book. Overall, this is an ideal place to start for someone interested in developing microeconomic and game-theoretic models of network interactions.

deeper understanding of social networks
Jackson offers a deeper understanding of Web 2.0, the social web. There has been much buzz of Web 2.0 in this decade, as the successor to the dot coms. Indeed, the rise of Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and others has been spectacular. What this book offers aremodels of social relationships, that can be used with possible profitable results.

Try using the models to gauge some ideas as the existence and size distributions of clusters within a network. As well as finding key players within the network. Nor should you confine yourself to only those models offered in the text. What the book offers is also in some meta-modelling sense how to develop your own models and assess these against your networks.

Be warned that the book could be too mathematical for some readers. The treatment is sophisticated, and does not lend easily to a trivial read. ... Read more

Product Description

"There is no better person than Ram Charan to provide advice on managing in a downturn."
--Larry Bossidy, Former Chairman and CEO Honeywell International Inc.

As a business leader today, you face an unprecedented challenge: the worldwide economic downturn. Cash and credit are dwindling, sales forecasts are dismal, and morale is sinking. This is not a time to reflect. It is a time to act, decide, and energize your people...with urgency...

This is your moment.
Are you up to the task?

In Leadership in the Era of Economic Uncertainty, Ram Charan helps you steer your business through the minefi eld of contracting markets, cash shortages, and ongoing uncertainty. No matter what your leadership role, Charan's insight will help ensure that your business emerges leaner, stronger, and well in front of the competition.

"We will not know when we have turned the corner, and we cannot envision the shape and scope of the world that will emerge," Charan writes. "What we can be sure of is that this is a time of tumultuous change, and with change come both danger and opportunity."

In this concise and highly accessible guide, the author provides practical actions you can execute immediately to:

• Protect cash flow vigilantly, even daily,and use cash more effi ciently
• Use ground intelligence to survive the storm and position your business to thrive in the aftermath
• Develop a better understanding of your customers
• Reevaluate your pricing strategy and capital expenditures.
• Use cost cutting strategically

The chaos of global economic meltdown has.imposed an urgency you have never before.experienced. It's a scary thing, but it can also.be exciting...if you're prepared... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

A Reference Rather Than a Prescription
My first thought about this book is that because it was written by a proven author, it must be good. For that I was initially a little disappointed. Yet, when I reflect about the nature of a turmoil, of urgency, I start to appreciate why the book is kept short, simple and smart.

Then I ask what exactly is new or necessary in "Leadership in the Era of Economic Turmoil." The difference is the word 'urgency.' The book is written urgently to an urgent situation. I find myself pacing very quickly with the intensity of how the points are delivered in the book. The book seemed to be urgently written, and can also be speedily read. The chapters are short. The points are concise. The examples are minimal.

Third, I ask who benefits the most? Based on the nature of the issue at hand, knowing that leaders in frantic situations may not have the luxury of slow and indepth reading, I think the author does exceptionally well. While some readers may feel that there is nothing really new, I believe Charan's book is more than a reminder. Those who already know about strategic management will benefit the most. It is a good reference for people wanting a quick refresher of the core essentials. It is however not a prescription of what exactly the company in crisis needs to do.

Finally, while reading the book can be quickly done, applying the concepts are not. Discernment takes time. That said, this book is best used by those who have already been trained, who are familiar with the contexts of their organizational environment. It is great fodder for discussion among leaders in any organization. It is most useful for leaders who are able to guide their organization through rough waters, and practice the 6 essential leadership traits for hard times, namely,
- honesty and credibility;
- ability to inspire;
- real time connection with reality;
- Realism temptered with optimism;
- Managing with intensity;
- Boldness in building for the future.

These 6 factors alone is worth the price of the book.


conrade

A Disappointment from a Usually Great Author
While there is some good advice in this book, most of it is generic and applies in good times as bad.The one key new directive is to focus on cash more than anything else.This follows clearly if one understands the business fundamentals presented in the author's book What the CEO Wants You to Know : How Your Company Really Works.Since credit is tighter, and most companies' financials will look worse with declining revenues, getting cash externally will be much more difficult.The best solution is to work to avoid needing external cash.

Another new suggestion is to accept the greater uncertainty by revising budgets more frequently.By doing so, companies can react more quickly and also keep goals more realistic.With (unchanging) annual budgets in a very uncertain world, a month or two into the year, the budget may already be impossible, or met, if a turnaround happens sooner than expected.Either way, persisting with a grossly unrealistic budget for most of a year is not a good idea.

Unfortunately these two solid ideas and a little fluff (advice applicable anytime) does not make for compelling book.

A different view of leadership
Whilst the sub title of "Leadership In The Era Of Economic Uncertainty" reads "The New Rules for Getting the Right Things Done in Difficult Times", it is more a narrative by the author Ram Charan than "rules" per se.None-the-less, the narrative is effective, well directed and most pertinent to today's business leaders.Written in the first person, it could at times be likened to lecturing - this should not be taken as a criticism as once one gets used to the author's style it in fact becomes quite evocative.

Although Charan does not say so, this is a book for CEOs and the senior management of organisations.For instance. it has specific chapters for the CEO and the Heads of Sales & Marketing, Finance, Operations, R & D, the Supply Chain and the Staff Functions.There is even a chapter for the Board.Each chapter has key actions that leaders in each of these areas can apply.Because of the writer's style, a summary of the key points at the end of each chapter would have been useful to aid memory and assist implementation.

If you are looking for an understanding of the principles that underpin organisational success, this book has the answers.For example, in the chapter for Chief Financial Officers, the writer describes two types of CFOs.One type are those who look outwardly toward investors and make sure the company's debt ratings, price/earnings ratio and financing/refinancing of debt structure are adequate and appropriate.The second type of CFOs are those who work more internally in partnership with the CEO in managing financial performance and maintaining the company's sound financial health.These types are not mutually exclusive, but the discussion and the tips for managing both aspects in tough times, would be useful to both CEOs and CFOs.In this chapter, Charan also has some great tips for managing the finances throughout the organisation by ". . . educating the troops in liquidity, most of whom do not have a clue about liquidity."

It's easy to see that Charan has a good handle on day-to-day corporate life - he is not just a theorist.For example, his keen understanding that "CFOs have a tendencynot to trust line managers to do the right thing in all cases and therefore put some resources in reserve without telling anyone in case the company looks like it might come up short at the end of the quarter" will resonate with most senior financial managers.

Charan also has great tips for the other senior corporate managers.In the chapter on Operations, he covers both product and service type organisations.He provides an excellent example of how tough times can affect service delivery in the airline industry.With the downturn in business class travel, some airlines' capacity dropped by as much as 70%.This left the same number of cabin crew to service far less customers.One would expect customers to get far more attention.What often happened was that customers actually received less attention - because there were less people to serve, cabin crew took up the idle time by talking more amongst themselves.Charan's advice is to make sure your service functions are appropriately staffed and the need for service is stressed even more in these times.

Charan also has good news for trainers.Instead of cutting the training budget, he suggests that it should be more focused."HR needs to create and deliver the appropriate materials and methods in areas such as contract negotiations and price setting, with an emphasis on collaboration.You will get a big return on investment if you recruit your own senior executives to teach some of these sessions by using actual information, problems and challenges.Not only will such sessions bring home the reality of why people need to master these skills, they will give the `teachers' a fresh insight into their own psychology and valuable input from people on the line."

From an organisation development perspective, one initial concern I had about the book was the number of times senior leaders were advised to communicate directly with the Board.Does this hint at a lack of role definition between CEO and the Board?.How should the CEO handle his/her direct reports communicating directly with the Board?This concern was not evident however, in the chapter written for the Board which focused on the Board/CEO relationship.Perhaps this role definition could be better spelt out.I was impressed with some of the common sense advice for the Board, such as having a cocktail party for 20 senior managers the day before a Board meeting.This meeting is not intended to provide further corporate information for the Board, rather it is to enable the Board members to gauge the morale of the organisation.

This would be a great book for anyone in a senior management role.For trainers, it could be very useful for two reasons - self-education to get a real handle on perhaps some unfamiliar areas of corporate life and as pre-reading for senior management and leadership development programmes.For coaches of senior executives, various chapters could be really good resources for clients' personal development.It's also recommended reading for anyone in a staff function wishing to improve their personal credibility within the organisation.

Bob Selden, author What To Do When You Become The Boss: How new managers become successful managers

Timely management handbook for hard times
This short, pointed book by one of America's leading management thinkers offers a checklist of to-do steps for managers who are coping with the economic crisis. Ram Charan covers all the bases: the board of directors, chief officers, operations, sales, research and development, and more. He offers direct, unambiguous, actionable advice for managing at each level, including: manage for cash, watch the numbers, know which customers to fire and recognize that annual targets make no sense when demand is unpredictable. The author's record as a coach to CEOs and as an author of best-selling business books speaks for itself. In this book, getAbstract finds that he more than lives up to his reputation, avoiding jargon, generalizations and lofty theoretical pronouncements to focus on what managers must do now to survive.

Great read, timely insight
Good quick read that provides excellent insight into the business response required for the economic climate in which we find ourselves. This is my first Charan book and I'm looking forward to reading more. ... Read more

Product Description

Confused by the math of business and economics? Problem solved.

Schaum's Outline of Mathematical Methods for Business and Economics reviews the mathematical tools, topics, and techniques essential for success in business and economics today. The theory and solved problem format of each chapter provides concise explanations illustrated by examples, plus numerous problems with fully worked-out solutions. And you don't have to know advanced math beyond what you learned high school. The pedagogy enables you to progress at your own pace and adapt the book to your own needs.

Customer Reviews (6)

Very easy to understand!
This book was used by my class as the main textbook. Very easy to understand and will help you get an A in your class.

Follow the math!
This is a very accessible and informative book. I had a couple of courses in calculus back in the early '60's, but I remembered next to nothing.Furthermore, I had absolutely no recollection of partial derivatives or total differentials.For all I know, we never covered them.

Nevertheless, with the help of Dowling's text, a colleague and I were able to use partial derivatives with a large data set to demonstrate that school size and the measured achievement of schools with largely low-income students are inversely related.Furthermore, using total differentials we were able to demonstrate that the measured achievement costs of increasing school size are diminished as districts get smaller, and that the benefits of small schools for less-advantaged students are diminished as districts get larger.

This is the one time in my life that I was able simply "follow the math" to a new and interesting finding, the one that followed from the total differential.Without a text as accessible, usefully organized, and broadly informative as Dowling's, I never would have been able to pull it off.A small achievement, perhaps, but very satisfying.

straight to the point
This book goes straight to the point without lengthy explanations, instead you are guided through the concepts through a large number of explanations and exercises.

This makes progress much faster - in other books you have to read through what the author is trying to explain in words, which takes almost as long as doing the actual math....Chiang's 'Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics' is a case in point.
Personally I understand a concept better if I see lots of examples.

This book ignores the talking and focuses on the doing.
If you enjoy learning by looking at examples and don't mind not having everything spelled out to you, i.e. using your intuitive skills, then you will enjoy this book.

This book covers a first-year course in Mathematical Economics and can be used as preparation for Chiang's [...]

Helpful for extra studying
My daughter was taking a course on Finite Mathematics.We used the examples and solutions to help her review for the final exam.It was very helpful in 2 areas: (1) linear programming - graphical approach and (2) Matrix algebra and its use in solving sets of linear equations.In her course and her textbook, they covered financial math (interest, annuities, loans, etc.)This book had nothing so it was a slight disappointment in this area.

Helpful
I found this book helpful in the course that I took in Mathematical Economics. It was a useful accompaniment to the text used in the course, Fundamentals of Mathematical Economics by Alpha Chiang. ... Read more

Product Description
British economist Alfred Marshall (1842-1924) was one of the founders of the 'neoclassical' school in which economists studied both wealth and human behaviour to understand why we make the choices we do. First published in 1890, "Principles of Economics" stands as Marshall's most influential work. This abridged edition offers a general introduction to the study of economics, dealing mainly with normal conditions of industry, employment, and wages. It begins by isolating the primary relations of supply, demand, and price in regard to a particular commodity. Following his study of science, history, and philosophy, Marshall argues that, while fragmentary statistical hypotheses are used as temporary aids to dynamic economic concepts, the central idea of economics must be that of a living force and movement, and its main concern must be with human beings who are impelled, for better or worse, to change and progress. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Very good book!
In the present book A. Marshall explains economic concepts with magistral semplicity and clarity.
A must for the library of each economist.

Signalman Publishing version is best for the Kindle
There are two versions of Alfred Marshall's "Principles of Economics" available for the Kindle and we looked at both of them. The version from Signalman Publishing is, by far, the best version because it is formatted specially for the Kindle with a hyper-linked Table of Contents which allows for easy navigation throughout a very long text. In addition, all the footnotes are hyper-linked within the text so you don't have to click past literally hundreds of pages to go to the note -- you simply click on the hyper-link. The version from Evergreen Review does not have any of these features which makes it cumbersome (at best) to read on a Kindle. Also, Signalman includes all the drawings and graphs from Professor Marshall which is not included in the other version.

Also, one other note since some reviewers mention that some versions of "Principles" do not contain the full text: the version from Signalman contains all six books plus all appendices including the mathematical appendix.

Incomplete Book
This is not a complete book, and that was not clear.It is missing Books 4 and 6 and the appendices (about half of the original 1920 text).

The Titan of the Neo-Classics
The British economist Alfred Marshall is one of the greatest political economists of all times and this book represents a deep effort to address in an orderly way the many social and economical issues that were at stake at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. This way of addressing disturbing social questions is an Alfred Marshall trademark.

In this sense, his motto could well be the oft quoted " Natura non facit saltum" , which is Latin for "Nature does not evolves in leaps and bounds", and all things are going to be all right in the future but it will take some time untill they consolidate themselves into a coherent whole, where everyone in this world will have an opportunity to fully develop his natural propensities for love, companionship and free will. His view is helped by the many mathematical formulae he uses to illustrate his points of views, using differential calculus, due to his mathematical background. But the reader has not to worry if he/she is not proficient with this type of mathematical tools, because they are used only as a side-line to the text, which is dense and full of logical thinking in itself. Marshall, despite his mathematical background, didn't judge Mathematics as a fundamental tool to Politcal Economy.

Alfred Marshall is the most influential representant of the minimalist movement called Neo-Classics Economics (Stanley Jevons, Vilfredo Pareto , Karl Menger) and in this capacity is the most notorius proponent of what today is taught and learned in all Economics Schools over the world as Microeconomics, or the economics of particular competitive or non-competitive markets. In some way, he is both the inheritor of the Utilitarian theories of Jeremy Bentham, as of the economics doctrines of David Ricardo and Adam Smith. Also, one of the interesting facets of Marshall is that he had both John Neville Keynes (the father) and John Maynard Keynes (the son) as one of his pupils in Economics.

His knowledge of History and Mathematics is astounding and if he has not reached the status of Keynes or Adam Smith, this is more due to the constraints of the Victorian era in which he wrote this book, and the influences he received, than to any lack of deep understanding of economics realities, which were indeed recognized by John Maynard Keynes himself as fundamental to the latter development he gave to the so-called Dismall Science.

The most influential book of Economics of the 20th century
This is certainly one of the most influential books ever written, and served as a pathway to a lot of governmental measures adopted at by many countries to adopt its fiscal, employment and money policies to revert the forces of recession in the United States and Europe.

But this is not a book easy to read, given the fact that Keynes had to break a lot of prior misconceptions and fallacies of earlier economists. Also to be taken into consideration is that Keynes was especially keen of linguistics and got all the opportunities to present a very refined text with big literary value. What Keynes had in mind was to discard the useless precepts of free-hand economics, in the very tradition of early British neo-classical economists like Alfred Marshall and Stanley Jevons, and to energetically recomend state intervention to secure full-employment policies.

Keynes was instrumental in many important policies adopted in the first half of the last century and along with Adam Smith, David Ricardo and Karl Marx, deserves to step to the pantheon of the most influential economists of all times. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (10)

Could not have passed the class without this book
I am so glad I found this book on Amazon. I could never have passed this class using eBooks. The book was delivered as described, in good condition and before the excepted deliverly date.

Ring-Bound Without Rings
I'm looking forward to reading this book, as soon as I find a ringed binder for it. Silly me, I thought "Ring-bound" meant a ring or set of rings or a spiral was holding the book together. Not so. It means there are holes punched in the pages and flimsy cover, and you NEED rings to bind them together (insert One Ring Tolkien quote here). Otherwise there is NOTHING (nada, bupkus) holding the book's pages together.

Now I know that (for future purchases) "Ring-bound" means "three-hole-punched" and nothing more. Lesson learned.

Perhaps I'll post another review about the contents of the book and not just the misleading description of the format once I've read it.

Textbook in great condition for less than $10
I was very surprised by the condition of the textbook. I was expecting sub-par quality especially when I only paid about $10, but surprisingly it was in great condition. I recommend to anybody buying textbooks to buy it from the person i got it from.

Economics: Paul Krugman, Robin Wells
This textbook will only confuse you! I am a graduate student of Economics at a respectable university.
Mr.Krugman likes to embellish his political views in the "Economics in Action" section.
Here is a piece of advice to you Mr.Krugman - try to actually explain the topics and not to
confuse students by unnecessary information.
I would like to point out that a reader would be better off with
another introductory Economics textbook.

Outstanding Econ 101 text book
Just bought this textbook and currently I am reading through it.This book is magnificent. It's well written and easy to understand, with detailed diagrams that clearly convey the economic principles the authors are explaining in the surrounding text.Of course diagrams are found in every economics textbook, but the organization and neat presentation of this book does wonders to aid learning, and in my opinion goes beyond other books I have read.Each chapter builds on the previous and really enlightens the reader regarding the most important principles of economic theory (micro and macro).

For those worried about Krugman and whether he has just layered this book full of leftist propaganda, consider this opening paragraph from Chapter 5:

"New York City is a place where you can find almost anything - that is, almost anything, except a taxicab when you need one or a decent apartment at a rent you can afford.You might think that New York's notorious shortages of cabs and apartments are the inevitable price of big-city living.However, they are largely the product of government policies - specifically, of government policies that have, one way or another, tried to prevail over the market forces of supply and demand."

I'll be honest, as a avid reader of Krugman in the NYT, I'd never expected to read such a paragraph in this book.Krugman saying that sometimes the government is the problem?Krugman goes on to explain exactly what policies are to blame for the housing shortage and taxi cab shortage in New York.

The rest of the textbook is full of similar balance.He constantly keeps surprising me and making me think about things that I've never noticed before, such as the housing problem in New York.Who knew such a problem has a simple explanation? (The explanation they give is that the housing shortage is caused by rent control, "a law that prevents landlords from raising rents except when specifically given permission.")

He and Robin really deliver a fair and balanced discussion of economics from Adam Smith up to present day.The book is full of little tidbits of information that Krugman and Wells call "Economics in Action" and "For Inquiring Minds" that usually contain little stories he's simply pulled from his daily reading of the New York Times and other newspapers.He comments on them from an professional economist's point of view and relates them to the current discussion in whatever chapter they appear.

For example, in Chapter 3 under "Economics in Action," Robin writes (as far as I know, Krugman wrote the macro chapters, and Robin wrote the micro):

"Thousands in Mexico City protest rising food prices."So read the headline in the New York Times on February 1, 2007.Specifically, the demonstrators were protesting a sharp rise in the price of tortillas, a staple food of Mexico's poor, which had a gone from 25 cents a pound to between 35 and 45 cents a pound in just a few months.

Why were tortilla prices soaring?It was a classic example of what happens to equilibrium prices when supply falls.Tortillas are made from corn; much of Mexico's corn is imported from the United States, with the price of corn in both countries basically set in the U.S. corn market.And U.S. corn prices were rising rapidly thanks to the surging demand in a new market: the market for ethanol."

It's an interesting little factoid about a real life situation and he (or she) relates it to the subject of the chapter, which was Supply and Demand in that case.The book is littered with different examples on all sorts of topics in every chapter.And notice, once again Krugman could have gone off in a rant against the North American Free Trade agreement, and how the U.S. Government's subsidies to farming was also partly responsible for running Mexico's corn producers out of business by flooding the global market with cheap corn (or something to that effect), but he never does.He keeps it professional and on topic, and it really provides a great learning experience.This is one of those textbooks that is so good a teacher isn't needed to assist in learning process.

So needless to say I'm quite impressed.The few problems in the Second Edition I received from Amazon include various printing mistakes - such as on a few pages there is text printed on top of a graph that shouldn't be there.Not sure if that is just a one time printing error or something that is in all 2nd editions.But it's not enough to recommend staying away from this book.So if you are looking to learn more about economics, and even if you are just a layman and know nothing about economics, you can't go wrong with this book.I guarantee if you have even the slightest interest in this subject then you'll find this a delightful read. ... Read more

Product Description
Continuing his groundbreaking analysis of economic structures, Douglass North develops an analytical framework for explaining the ways in which institutions and institutional change affect the performance of economies, both at a given time and over time. Institutions exist, he argues, due to the uncertainties involved in human interaction; they are the constraints devised to structure that interaction. Yet, institutions vary widely in their consequences for economic performance; some economies develop institutions that produce growth and development, while others develop institutions that produce stagnation.North first explores the nature of institutions and explains the role of transaction and production costs in their development. The second part of the book deals with institutional change. Institutions create the incentive structure in an economy, and organizations will be created to take advantage of the opportunities provided within a given institutional framework. North argues that the kinds of skills and knowledge fostered by the structure of an economy will shape the direction of change and gradually alter the institutional framework. He then explains how institutional development may lead to a path-dependent pattern of development. In the final part of the book, North explains the implications of this analysis for economic theory and economic history. He indicates how institutional analysis must be incorporated into neo-classical theory and explores the potential for the construction of a dynamic theory of long-term economic change.Douglass C. North is Director of the Center of Political Economy and Professor of Economics and History at Washington University in St. Louis.He is a past president of the Economic History Association and Western Economics Association and a Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences.He has written over sixty articles for a variety of journals and is the author of The Rise of the Western World: A New Economic History (CUP, 1973, with R.P. Thomas) and Structure and Change in Economic History (Norton, 1981).Professor North is included in Great Economists Since Keynes edited by M. Blaug (CUP, 1988 paperback ed.) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Economics goes back to common sense and history
This is the great founding book in systematic and specific study of institutions as a determinant factor in the economic performance of a nation (or any other kind of polity). The author is a Nobel prize winner, and his book is characterized by an economy of words, as well as precission and clarity in his thought. Although it would seem obvious that institutions play a decisive role in economic performance, it hasn't been the case along the history of economic thinking. North begins by criticizing the cold and abstract Neo-Classical model, a la Robert Solow. Yes in fact, output is the result of the conjunction between capital and labor, plus the further addition of knowledge (technology) to the equation Q = K x L x (e). But this model is really effective only under the assumption of open and competitive markets, perfect and equally accessible information, and zero transaction costs. We know the real world is not like that. We now know also that "rational choice behavior" is neither absolute nor unanimous, and that each "actor" defines the "rationality" of his choices according to his view of the world and himself.

There are two kinds of institutions: formal (laws, codes, public policy, business policy, etc.), and informal (traditons, religions, modes of organization, family and social habits). Both are equally important, for they determine the rules of the game. In turn, rules determine what kind of knowledge is worth acquiring, what activities are profitable, and how to relate to others, which, in turn, determines economic performance. An innovation-rewarding society will tend to be technologically advanced, whereas a conformity-rewarding society will stagnate. Another important statement of the book is that institutions change in a marginal and incremental way. Even after revolutions and radical changes in political regimes, informal institutions tend to persist and in any case they change very slowly. North uses the example of the Russian Revolution: even though it is most likely the most radical and sudden social change ever experienced, there is still much of Tsarist Russia in its contemporary society, after the Soviet regime came and left. Tocqueville made the same observation about the French Revolution in his masterful "The Ancient Regime and Revolution": France ended up with an Emperor and several kings after the republican bloodshed and well into the XIXth Century, and social change came about slowly.

By generating winners and losers, institutions create "path dependence". Even when it is clear that change is needed, those who profit from the status quo (the rich and powerful), will stop or obstruct change. North puts forth the case of the Americas, the Anglosaxon and the Hispanic, to illustrate how, in spite of the fact that many Latin American nations practically copied the American Constitution after achieving independence, the heritage of the decadent and stagnant Spain persists to this day in their instititutions.

This is easily one of the most relevant books to read when trying to understand the world's economy (crisis and all). As a further example, although it looks like China has changed overnight, it is most likely that's not the case in institutional terms, and soon China will face the dead weight of its culture versus economic progress. Change does happen, and there may be some kickstarters, but in the long run institutions change in an incremental and slow way.

Realistic and Relevant
These are strange times in the economics profession. Most economists insist upon representing actual economic systems with mathematical models that bear little resemblance to reality. The results of these models are often quite strange. Government deficits are offset by taxpayers who save more money in anticipation of higher future taxes. Monetary policy is neutral; it has no real predictable effects. We are in equilibrium in every phase of the business cycle. Investors might as well pick stocks by throwing darts. Economic analysis is judged by its formalism, not its realism.

This book by Douglass North is a refreshing change from `economics as usual'. Here the factors that matter most are real institutions and actual history. North draws upon the right kind sources for his theoretical underpinnings (Coase, Hayek, Ostrom, Olson, Veblen- yes Veblen too). North also focuses on an issue of primary importance- economic performance through time. How does economic development happen? Why does it happen in some nations and not others?

There are some important ideas here. We need to think in terms of adaptive efficency (p80-81). Incremental changes in institutions comes from entrepreneurs (p8). We should understand institutional change in terms of transaction costs, relative prices, and ideology (p86). North has constructed a theory of institutional change using a blend of common sense and subtlety that is rare in modern economics. This book should be required reading for all econ grad students.

There are some historical examples sprinkled through this book. Personally, I would have liked to see more history. But it is still the case that there is more history here than one typically finds in contemporary economics. Institutions, Institutional Change, and Economic performance is not easy reading, but it is easier to read and vastly more informative than the math models that most economists try to pass off as proper economic analysis.

Economic excellence
This is a really good and insightful book for anyone interested in economics, especially as it relates to determining factors in economic growth. In about 150 pages, North presents an interesting and thought provoking theory of economic growth.

The Perfect Introduction to "New Institutional Econonomics"
Douglass North is an excellent writer, and this book is the amazing culmination of a lifetime's work in the area known as New Institutional Economics.This school or tradition is concerned with the role institutions play in the functioning of economies, and in particular, how they influence economic performance.Institutions are defined as rules or constraints, both informal (social conventions, habits, norms, etc.) and formal (legal rules and regulation), on human behavior.Rules, however, only provide the framework for action, and it is here where Douglass North brings in "organizations", which are responsible for determining the ways in which those "rules" become articulated, accepted (internalized) and enforced.

A lot is covered in this book, but some general themes and arguments can be gleaned from the very short and immensely accessible number of pages.Perhaps most importantly, North argues in this book that conventional concepts like economic efficiency, cooperation, perfectly defined and costlessly enforced property rights, "frictionless exchange", costless information, and economic rationalism are by no means "given" in the standard economic modeling framework.These all depend on the "stability" of the institutions that exist in society.Stability, in turn, also depends on the ability of the agents responsible for measurement and enforcement to reduce transaction costs so that economic performance can be improved.This itself is by no means "given", because the State (the agent commonly assigned the task of enforcement) typically acts in ways that make property rights less secure, and hence raises transaction costs.

If all of this sounds interesting, then Douglass North's book is perhaps the best source to consult on these matters.His prose is eminently readable, and he is a pleasure to follow as he tells his story in fascinating detail.I have explored other books that deal with similar topics, but I still regard this book as the most edifying.

Not enough economics for someone interested in economics; not captivating enough for anyone
As a fan of the economic focus on institutions, I was excited to read one of Douglass North's books. North is the founder of this school, it would seem, and won a Nobel for it.

Unfortunately, North's book hasn't enough mathematics to satisfy those with a quantitative bent, nor enough elegance to captivate anyone. I had to put it down after 80 pages (of 140 or so). I haven't felt like precious moments of my life were being lost so viciously since I last hurled Cryptonomicon across the room. I'm told that I should read North's papers rather than his books; this seems wise.

If you want to read books that refocus economics on institutions, I'd strongly suggest starting with Bowles's "Microeconomics: Behavior, Institutions, and Evolution." It's the best synthesis of the subject that I've seen, bringing in threads from evolutionary game theory and probably every major economist from the last 75 years. ... Read more

Product Description
This new text offers an Excel focused approach to using statistics in business. All statistical concepts are illustrated with applied examples immediately upon introduction. Modern computing tools and applications are introduced, and the text maintains a strong focus on presenting statistical concepts as applied in business --as opposed to providing programming methods used to find a mathematical solution.Interpretation is heavily emphasized, enabling students to take full advantage of Excel to develop and drive problem-solving skills. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Applied Statistics
This is a very informative and useful text. The CDRom was a pleasant suprise with everything you could want just a click away. I viewed the book online, but I prefer to have the actual book in hand. When I received the book, I was encouraged to sit down and read it even more. This is a must have for anyone who wants to learn about statistics.

good condition
This book was in very good condition with very little writing and no high lighting! It also contained the cd's that came w/ the book which was great.

quick delivery, condition exactly as described
This book arrived quickly (within one week, standard shipping) and the seller informed me through mail when the product had been shipped.I found that very helpful.THe condition of the book was also very good,but there was some writing/markings on some of the pages.However, it wasn't enough that I was distracted or bothered by it.

Decision Science
My Prof really likes this book and has used previous editions too.My opinion - so far so good. In my limited review of the book the examples are good and the language is not technical.This course/book is part of my graduate studies in biology.The book is primarily business focused but with a profs help it is totally applicable to scientific data evaluation.Otherwise, it is approaching week 4 of 12 in my class and we haven't really relied on the book. My only real comment is to check with your campus bookstore/professor and see if it is supposed to come with a student version of Minitab (the software associated with the text).My online order did not come with Minitab, which I need for my stats course.

Good buy
Purchased this book used not new, for $73.99 from a private dealer on Amazon. I would have to say that the text is easy to understand, lots of material (lots) included and covered, the CD included is quite helpful as well, since it provides chapter highlights in PowerPoint, practice quizzes and homeworks, tutorials and samples for Excel, and the "MegaStat" add-on for the Excel program, which enables users to fully utilize Excel's ability to perform statistical calculations. Good purchase overall at the used purchase price, not sure if the case would be the same at the retail price, just make sure that the text includes the CD. ... Read more

Product Description
The classic introduction to economic thought, now updated in time for the publication of New Ideas from Dead CEOs

This entertaining and accessible introduction to the great economic thinkers throughout history— Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, and more—shows how their ideas still apply to our modern world. In this revised edition, renowned economist Todd Buchholz offers an insightful and informed perspective on key economic issues in the new millennium: increasing demand for energy, the rise of China, international trade, aging populations, health care, and the effects of global warming. New Ideas from Dead Economists is a fascinating guide to understanding both the evolution of economic theory and our complex contemporary economy.Amazon.com Review
Over 150 years ago, Scottish essayist Thomas Carlyle dubbedeconomics the "dismal science." But it certainly doesn't seem that wayin the skillful hands of Todd G. Buchholz, author of New Ideas fromDead Economists. In this revised edition of a book first publishedin 1989, economics is accessible, relevant, and fascinating. It's evenfun--for example, when he uses the cast of Gilligan's Islandand Henny Youngman jokes to explain complex economic theories. "Whynot have the last laugh on Carlyle by using the dead economiststhemselves to reverse their bad reputations and to teach the lessonsthey left to us?"

Buchholz surveys and critiques economic thought from Adam Smith'sinvisible hand of the 18th century to the depression-fighting ideas ofthe Keynesians and money-supply concepts of the 20th-centurymonetarists. He also relates classic economic principles to suchmodern-day events as the fall of communism, the Asian financialmeltdown, and global warming. Buchholz includes plenty of anecdotesabout the lives of the great economists: Karl Marx, for instance, wasan unkempt slob; David Ricardo, the early-19th-century Englishpolitician and economist, was among the rare economists to get richtrading stocks; and Maynard Keynes was so homely his friends calledhim "Snout." Here's a lively and authoritative read for thoseinterested in the past, present, and future of economics. --DanRing ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

Great overview of many different schools of Economic thought
Todd Buchholz brings together a wonderful and well written overview of many different schools of economic thought. This book neatly discusses, summarizes, and brings up criticisms and problems in economics from the days of Adam Smith, to our most recent 'Rational Expectations' school. Each section is divided up into 20 to 30 odd-some pages so that the reader will not be too engrossed in one partiular school of thought, and will be able to easily transition from one school to the next and for the most part, he works in a chronological order. You will learn about the most famous economists Adam Smith, John Maynard Keynes, Karl Marx, Alfred Marshall, as well as Milton Friedman and some of the lesser known economists, whose theories are the foundation of both micro and macroeconomics. Well written and worth the read!

As enjoyable as economics can be
I bought this book because I like to consider myself a well-informed person, and enjoy finance/economics/business, but never knew what people were talking about when they referred to "Keynesian economics" or "Adam Smith's invisible hand".This book is exactly what it claims to be- a solid introduction to modern economic thought.It covers all the great economists, a brief summary of their life, and an explanation of what they added to economic theory.The author is clearly biased, but how could you not be clearly biased against Marx?His writing makes a somewhat tedious topic entertaining- I literally laughed out loud a number of times.I would highly recommend this book to anyone with the same goal as me- a quick catch-up on what's been going on in economics in the past few hundred years, to understand the topic a little better and have intelligent conversations about it.There are definitely no detailed descriptions of theories or in-depth personal analyses of the men themselves- it is a beginners book that makes the topic entertaining and gives you just enough information to understand what people are talking about when economics comes up, and maybe even contribute your own opinions.

Great Intro to the History of Economic Thought for Beginners
Other texts are more technical and exhaustive, but this book is written for the layperson and is *almost* a primer for economics itself, seen through the passage of history.It begins with Smith, devotes chapters to Malthus, Ricardo, Marx, Veblen, Marshall, Mill, Keynes, Friedman, Public Choice, Rational Expectations, etc.The descriptions of how prices coordinate activity and of comparative and absolute advantage is about as good as any, and clear enough for anybody to understand.

This is a great book to use as a jumping off point for studying more of the economists, schools of thoughts, and concepts mentioned.A great companion book to Naked Economics, Basic Economics (Sowell), or Economics in One Lesson.

For a far more accurate (and far more in-depth and less beginner-friendly) treatment of Marx, see Sowell's book on Marxism, the chapter here repeats a few well-worn misconceptions about Marxian economics.

Brilliant survey of the history of economics
I am constantly amazed how little economists know about the history of their profession. They have heard (at best) of Adam Smith, David Ricardo, J.M Keynes. This survey will add to the reader's store of knowledge of an additional ten seminal thinkers.

This book started off slow, but the end was great
1. There was a bit too much detail about the subjects' private lives-- however this information was somewhat useful in getting an idea of the context from which the ideas came. So.....Keynes (the aesthete) seemed to be some sort of reaction against the Victorian background from which he had come.

2. The Public Choice policy discussion was, by far, the best part of the book. The thoughts that were expressed in this chapter are ideas that I have encountered in many other contexts-- but these were a wonderful, concise exposition to the ideas and their founding fathers (Mancur Olson). There was also wonderful discussion of what they did explain and what they did not.

3. Monetary and Fiscal policy were also great. A lot of people know those words, but don't know the profound differences in the ideas that anchor these concepts ("fiscal stimulus"/"Monetary stimulus"). I counted in these people before reading this elucidating book but can at least talk conversationally about it.

4. Because this book deals with the basic schools of thought in different parts of Economics, it can give you specific places to start looking in the search for deeper information. It can also clarify the most fundamental differences between differing schools of thought.

5. On the down side, the book is not all that light to read. Most books this length I could take in about 2 afternoons of reading. But this one is of such a depth that I could read (and absorb) no more than one chapter per day.

6. There were also a few problems with the author's attempts at drollery. He could have left them out and the book would not have been diminished in any way.

Other than that, this is a great book and well worth the (new) purchase price. I have a feeling that it is something to which I'll return time and time again. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover the importance of economics in today's news and even everyday personal life as this book's unique, issues-oriented approach delves into engaging areas of interest. Moomaw/Olson/Applegate/McLean's ECONOMICS AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES, 8E examines major economic issues related to education, health care, Social Security, unemployment, inflation, and international trade. This edition also examines social and political phenomena throughout the world, such as the collapse of communism and central planning, the role of government in today's economy as well as crime and poverty. The authors clearly connect today's issues to key economic principles and applications with captivating insights and a solid international perspective. Useful online study tools and an inviting writing style assist the reader today and in the future job market. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Economics and Contemporary Issues
Since I took this as an online coarse and the professor didn't do any teaching, this book and the EOC questions was the only means for learning this material.The info is easy to understand and uses the Supply & Demand theory greatly to explain many current economic conditions.

Economics and Contemporary Issues
Great service, quick shipping.Helped me out of a jam at school.Thanks again!

Good student introduction to politics & economic reasoning.
Ideal as a suplement for undergraduate economics courses, or as a principal text for a course focused on economics and politcal/ethical reasoning.Shows the flexibility of resoning with economics, which is, for better or worse, the basic "grammar" of contemporary policy debate.Also shows that the political implications of such reasoning are not always easy to predetermine on a liberal/conservative axis. The analysis of economic efficiency, for example, does not preclude one from examining distributional consequences or questions of fairness ... Read more

Product Description
The principal findings of experimental economics are that impersonal exchange in markets converges in repeated interaction to the equilibrium states implied by economic theory, under information conditions far weaker than specified in the theory.In personal, social, and economic exchange, as studied in two-person games, cooperation exceeds the prediction of traditional game theory.This book relates these two findings to field studies and applications and integrates them with the main themes of the Scottish Enlightenment and with the thoughts of F. A. Hayek. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The importance of the information for the market
The principal idea of this book is related to the cultural-genetic coevolution. The developement of more relevant institutions depends by the feed-back with the back-ground. This fact allows the cultural learning, but also the understending of other values. The phylosophical knowledge gives us the possibility of a rational diffusion of the informations. The decisions related to the game theory can be made by the Kanheman theory, but also the maximation of expectations. The Bayes theorem is important why the a posteriori informations follows the a prioi informations.

Vernon Tells All
My colleague Samuel Bowles used to say that there are two types of economist: the Priest and the Engineer. The Priests live in their own little world and spin theories without any reference to the facts.The Engineers live in the real world, collect data, analyze time series, make predictions, give policy advice, and generally ignore all but the most basic economic theory. Certainly, the Engineers never give a thought to what the Priests are doing (they're usually separating hyperplanes, playing with Fredholm operators, or lost in Banach space). Not surprisingly, the microeconomics textbook used in all the best graduate departments around the world has more than a thousand pages stocked with axioms and theorems, but there is not one economic fact in the whole book.

You may ask what this has to do with Vernon Smith's new book, Rationality in Economics. Well, more than a half-century ago, Smith set out to actually test economic theory! He put together a working laboratory, got amazing results having people play games that represent economic exchange, and thus started a movement that has begun to radically change the relationship between fact and theory in economics. Not only has experimental economics (that's what is done in his laboratory) expanded a thousandfold over the years, but leading journals now present models that attempt to account for the observed behavior of human subjects in the laboratory. Vernon Smith received the Nobel prize in economics 2002 for his efforts, but he really deserves half a dozen such awards for his energy, insight, and just play chutzpah.

Vernon Smith changed my life in 1992, when I read an article he wrote in Scientific American surveying his work. To that point I had thought that experimental economics was just a bunch of right-wing know-nothings trying to show Adam Smith's invisible hand really worked, both with humans and pigeons. I was wrong. I can honestly say that everything I assert with confidence about economics comes from either the result of experiments or observing the comparative performance of different real-life economic institutions.

Vernon Smith, in his discussion of the scientific method (Chapter 13) asserts that the idea that we can derive good theory just by carefully looking at the facts is not correct, despite the fact that virtually every great scientist believes he or she does just that. This is a curious position for a man who has spent his life assembling the facts. It is clear that the correct theory does not leap out at us as an ordered kaleidoscope of facts, but the normal everyday application of genius to the facts does quite regularly give rise to better theory. This is why experimental economics is so important.

Intellectually, Vernon Smith is heir to the Scottish Enlightenment, plus Friedrich von Hayek. Hayek plays a front and center role in this book in three or four different ways. The most important really has nothing to do with experimental economics, although Vernon Smith does an excellent job of applying Hayekian insights to experimental methodology. Some historical background is in order. Hayek was a conservative Austrian school aristocrat whose major occupation in life was opposing and discrediting socialism, in an era where many intelligent people believed the triumph of socialism was virtually inevitable. In the mid-1930's, Hayek, Ludwig von Mises, and others entered into a debate with the market socialists Oskar Lange and Abba Lerner as to the feasibility of state socialism. Neoclassical economic theory was accepted by all, and the socialists won a decisive victory. This is not surprising, since neoclassical economic theory accepted the Walrasian general equilibrium model, in which a centralized actor, the auctioneer, orchestrated the whole economy, the only role of markets being to carry out s set of plans architected from the central planner (the auctioneer himself). What different did it make if there is private property and an auctioneer or state ownership of the means of production and a state planning board? According to neoclassical economics, none whatever.

Indeed, as a result of this debate, the great Austrian-American economist Josef Schumpeter wrote a whole book explaining why socialism was inevitable, despite how much he despised it (Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy, 1942). This defeat led Hayek in quite a different direction. He deeply rethought his commitment to neoclassical economics. In the late 1930's Hayek developed the argument that the economy is an organic entity that cannot be properly modeled analytically, and information is so decentralized and distributed among economic actors that no sort of centralized planning was possible. He was prevented from publishing his ideas until the conclusion of WWII, his article appearing as "The Use of Knowledge in Society", American Economic Review 35,4 (1945):519-530. Read it and weep, socialists.

It would be hard to overstress the importance of Hayek's ideas, and their essential correctness. Now, Hayek himself used his theory as an instrument for denying an important place for the state in a productive economy. In this, like Milton Friedman after him, he was very incorrect. There is no advanced market economy without an equally advanced, interventionist state. But, his critique of the idea that planning could replace market competition is absolutely correct, and is the idea underlying the subtitle of Vernon Smith's book: "Constructivist and Ecological Forms." Smith offers a dialectical view in which social planners, scientists, and entrepreneurs develop analytical theories (constructs), but only their subjection to the ecology of market competition and the competition of ideas dedicated to the experimental method gives rise to social institutions, products, and ideas that are dynamically robust.

The description and analysis of experimental economics in this book is first rate, as one might expect. The discussion of the spectrum auctions is an especially wonderful exposition of fundamental theory without all the equations. Smith's overall model of human behavior is insightful, and draws creatively on the fact that we are the product of gene-culture coevolution, so our ecological rationality make look weak to the constructivist models of the experimenters, but it is the most advanced form of information processing on this planet by far.

Like most experimental economists, Vernon Smith is unmoved by the contributions of sociological theory. He certainly betrays no interest in the theory of social roles and social actors, or the concept of the internalization of norms. These are, however, among the most important tools in the behavioral scientist's arsenal for understanding exactly how and why humans are not simply selfish sociopaths. A good reading of Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, and a few other major sociological figures would add materially to the insights of the Scottish school.

Morality is a biologically evolved aspect of human genetic constitution, itself a product of the gene-culture coevolutionary process that underlies Vernon Smith's understanding of human nature. People sacrifice material benefits to achieve moral ends, including such character virtues as honesty, trustworthiness, and fairness. I used to doubt the centrality of this biological aspect of our nature, but experimental economics and neuroeconomics have disabused me of any notion that we could ever understand human behavior in terms self-interest, enlightened or otherwise.

Vernon Smith embraces Hayek's model of human psychology in The Sensory Order (1952), which is indeed a brilliant work adumbrating modern connectionism. What is often overlooked is that Hayek's aim was to develop a completely decentralized model of human psychology for the same reasons he preferred a completely decentralized model of the ecological economy. In this, Hayek was really closer to the old associationists of the classical liberal period. although utilizing a relatively sophisticated understand of brain architecture. Like the model of well-known psychologist Donald Hebb, he treated learning as a process of increased communication ease between axons of cells that, based on external stimuli, tended to fire together (Hebb's law is often expressed in simplified form as "Neurons that fire together wire together."

The problem with this view of human psychology is that it is so brain-based that it cannot deal with the emergent properties of human dyadic or multi-adic communication and strategic interaction. There is no difference, for instance, in the brain of a monkey and a human from the Hayekian/Hebbian point of view, except quantitative.

In fact, as I show in my book The Bounds of Reason (Princeton, 2009), it is impossible to understand human strategic interaction without overarching social norms of the type first studied by Emile Durkheim, and now a standard part of the sociological literature. Moreover, modern neuroscience show that there are indeed specialized structures to deal with human interaction and personal morality. This does not contradict Hayek, of course, it is an important addition to the argument in The Sensory Order.

Bringing Economics Back down to Earth
Since the death of Adam Smith, mainstream economic theory forgot that it should describe the real world. Instead, its models focused either on perfectly "rational" economic agents possessing "perfect" information or on agents with "bounded" rationality making predictable errors in judgment. Its axioms became a matter of ideology and unproven beliefs about human nature and human action, not of rigorous scientific inquiry. This book brings economics back to life. It demonstrates how important questions about human decision-making, markets, and public policy can be explored objectively in the laboratory. I highly recommend this book to students, managers, policy-makers, and anyone interested in exploring human economic behavior.

Unique insights plus an enjoyable read
I read a lot of books about economics.Until reading Rationality in Economics, I had not read an economics book that gave me precisely what I want: (1) genuine insights on a wide range of important issues, (2) a feel for the key contributions in the academic literature with a minimum of technical detail, and (3) a writing style that explains so much in straightforward language that reading the book becomes a uniquely enjoyable learning experience.So, if you want to share that experience, read Rationality in Economics by the Nobel prize winning economist Vernon Smith.A major theme is the interplay between constructivist rationality (logical thinking) and ecological rationality (selection over time of what works best that results in our cultural and biological heritage).Gaining an appreciation for these two types of rationality illuminates the work of Adam Smith and Friedrich Hayek and also provides a healthy skepticism of "fix the economy" proposals from Washington. Wealth creation through specialization, innovation, and trade that meet existing needs and create new needs is facilitated by markets.Important to understand how markets work, right?Vernon's Nobel prize was awarded for his pioneering contribution to experimental economics that uses laboratory experiments to test hypotheses about how markets function --- the behavior of participants and the institutional rules of the game.This book is a beautiful summary of experimental economics.Along the way, we learn about smart ways to deregulate markets guided by laboratory experiments (what California politicians failed to do when they deregulated a portion of that state's electricity market).We learn how to think about market efficiency and the apparent conflicting view of behavioral anomalies.We learn about how decision making relates to the way in which our brains have evolved (neuroeconomics).Perhaps you have felt uneasy about the widely-touted superiority of Bayesian decision making and related handling of probabilites.The Psychology and Markets chapter contains an elegant explanation of why you should be critical (hint: surprises are important).The Rationality in Science chapter addresses the age-old dilemma of how we know what we think we know.Vernon's answer is an absolute treasure that everyone should read and ponder.These brief highlights give some indication of why Rationality in Economics is the most useful economics book that I have read. ... Read more

Product Description
The Study Guide helps students develop quantitative skills and the use of economic terminology and enhances critical thinking capabilities.Each chapter includes the following features: Quick Review, Learning Objectives, Using Key terms, True/False Practice Questions, Multiple Choice Practice Questions, Problems and Applications, Common Errors. At the end of each chapter, answers are provided to all problems, exercises, and questions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

essentials of economic
Book was delivered as described and very quick. I look forward to doing business again.

Only for Multiple choice, True false Q's
Well, if your instructor only does multiple choice and true false then this guide will be of some help. However if your instructor is like mine and focuses on SA questions and having you diagram lots of supply and demand curves then this book is not worth the purchase.

Got it quick BUT..
It came very fast but the first few pages have already been written in..a little disappointingsince it is a study guide. Hard to erase without still seeing the answers...

Pretty good
Its in pretty good condition.I was expecting the 7th edition, but it was 5th.Its still pretty good though, not much has change.

Double Check the Study Guide!
I ordered the "Essentials of Economics 6th Edition" for my Econ 101 class, and tagged on the study guide for it. The study guide was for the 5th Edition. I just sent it back, because it wasn't neccessary for the course. All I am saying is double and triple check to make sure you have the correct editons of all of your books. ... Read more

Product Description

The Worldly Philosophers is a bestselling classic that not only enables us to see more deeply into our history but helps us better understand our own times. In this seventh edition, Robert L. Heilbroner provides a new theme that connects thinkers as diverse as Adam Smith and Karl Marx. The theme is the common focus of their highly varied ideas -- namely, the search to understand how a capitalist society works. It is a focus never more needed than in this age of confusing economic headlines.

In a bold new concluding chapter entitled "The End of the Worldly Philosophy?" Heilbroner reminds us that the word "end" refers to both the purpose and limits of economics. This chapter conveys a concern that today's increasingly "scientific" economics may overlook fundamental social and political issues that are central to economics. Thus, unlike its predecessors, this new edition provides not just an indispensable illumination of our past but a call to action for our future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (90)

Every voter's public affairs reading list should include this book.
I read an earlier edition in high school (circa 1961).However, still today it's standard reading for college students in the social sciences and humanities, and in fact, for all educated persons.It's a popular, nontechnical introduction to major economists and their ideas.Although biographically oriented, it tries to convey the essence of their thinking.I would compare it to Will Durant's _The Story of Philosophy_, a book every young intellectual should read.

Of particular interest is John Maynard Keynes whose ideas have renewed interest because of the current financial crisis.If you don't know who Keynes is, and perhaps have never even ever hear of him, then please put this book on your required reading list.

I strongly recommend _The Worldly Philosophers_ to every voter not already familiar with its contents, but especially to "tea party" voters.If you care about America and yet have never taken an academic course in economics, then please arm yourself with at least a little knowledge about 'political economy' before next entering the voting booth.

_The Worldly Philosophers_ will not likely leave you with all the answers (it doesn't attempt to do so), but it'll introduce you to many of the questions, questions & viewpoints which you may not have considered previously.

Anyway, such is my opinion.Grab hold a copy (every public library has one), skim through it, and judge for yourself whether it's worth more of your time.

A classic with a few missing parts
This is a combination of economic history, history of economic thought and biography.It's considered a classic, thus the 7th edition.

It is not an economic primer and if you are hoping to understand economic theory, you'll have to look elsewhere.Heilbroner places economics in its context and explains the importance of economic thought, but does not give a lot of detail on what that economic thought is.This is not necessarily a criticism and certainly makes the book much more readable for those without economic training.

Heilbroner is a liberal (at least for an economist) and that shows in his pick of economists, although that may also be a function of his cut-off point.No Friedman here and barely a mention of Hayek.The book was updated to the 1990s, but the economists were not.He gives a well-deserved defense of Keynes, who fell out of favor in the 1970s, but never really explains why Keynes fell out of favor.

The book is definitely worth reading, interesting and informative, but the reader might want to follow it up with something like by Yergin and Stanislaw which covers the post WWII era, in many ways picking up where this book leaves off.

Evolution of Economics
This books is OK... The author did a good job of making the different philosophers he studied human. They all have characteristics we can appreciate and characteristics that make us happy we'll never meet them... However, it seems as if the author gets bored with his subjects a little more than 1/2 way through and starts rambling more about personal lifestyle choices than their actual theories. By the end we're back on track.

Fantastic
I'm no economist, but this seems like a must-read for those who aren't, but want to know more about the great thinkers in economics. Also a nice starting point for anyone wanting to get into that field. Each chapter is readable without being too basic. And each chapter covers a major figure in the field of economics, starting with - if I remember correctly - Adam Smith, going through to Ricardo, Mill, Marx, Schumpeter, and Keynes (lots of others in there too). Each chapter is part bio, part explanation of the person's major theories. What's clear is that all these people were incredibly smart, hard working, offered important theories to the field of economics, and were wrong about some important things. The only weaknesses include the title (though economics has its share of philosophers, the title is too general, which the author admits and - again if I remember correctly - wanted a different title.) Also would have been nice to have a chapter on Milton Friedman. But I think the author wrote this when Friedman was still producing major stuff, and Heilbroner wanted to focus on past economists. Fair enough.

Gem of storytelling
Written with a prose that reminds me of Thomas Bullfinch, Will Durant and Joseph Campbell, The Worldly Philosophers will transport you to a bygone time and place where the ideas of the great economists will spring to life and effortlessly make sense. But you will not be left hanging in the 19th or 20th century either - Heilbroner also discusses each economist's legacy updating their ideas to our own century.

First published in 1953 and now in its seventh edition this book is the canon of introductory texts on history of economic thinking. Millions of Economics 101 students could not be wrong - or could them?

Here is a list of main ideas included in the book::

1 - Economics as a field of study could not have risen before markets have establish themselves around the 18th century;

2 - Scores of greedy individuals looking after their own interests and being rewarded for their efficiency make for a better society for everybody - enters the invisible hand;

3 - When everybody seemed optimistic about the future, a young reverend wrote an essay stating that the world food production could never keep up with population growth - enters the dismal science;

4 - David Ricardo, the unsung hero of globalization, remains unsung for his amazing theory of competitive advantages, based on which a nation that is superior in producing everything will still be better off by trading with a less efficient nation, is not explained in the book. This is a major fault.

5 - The transition from feudalism to the industrial age resulted, at least initially, in appalling conditions for the working class. A movement called the Utopian Socialists that sadly bundled together the great John Stuart Mill with the airhead Charles Fourier tried to propose solutions;

6 - Marx (Karl, not Groucho) once said he was not a Marxist. Is it fair to say that I am a Marxist because I am not a Marxist? Enters the Dialectical Materialism;

7 - Despite Mill's and Marx's preaching, what really lifted the European proletariat out of abject poverty was the emergence of the proletariat's proletariat in the way of the millions of souls captured during the 19th and early 20th century European imperialist expansion into Africa and Asia - homo homini lupus;

8 - Thorstein Veblen gave, with The Theory of the Leisure Class, a new explanation for the stability of capitalistic society. The proletariat would not overthrow the leisure class for the simple reason that deep inside the proletariat wished to partake in the same leisurely lifestyle. That almost seemed possible with the great bull market of the 1920s until...

9 - The 1929 market crash came along and in its wake the great depression. A new theory for anti-cyclical monetary measures was needed and that came in Keynes' The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money;

10 - Throughout the first half of the 20th century Joseph Schumpeter revisited Karl Marx's theories and gave a new explanation for the existence of profits in the capitalistic system, the entrepreneur;

11 - In a sad final chapter Heilbroner declares the age of Worldly Philosophers ended with the passing of Joseph Schumpeter. Great names such as John Kenneth Galbraith and Milton Friedman are not equated by Heilbroner to the above mentioned airheads such as Charles Fourier. But it his book and not mine, and a great book by the way, far better than I could ever dream about writing...


As a companion book to The Worldly Philosophers I also recommend Niall Ferguson's The Ascent of Money.

Leonardo Alves - Brazil 2010
... Read more

Product Description
Now in its Thirteenth Edition, this proven, market-leading book remains a favorite among readers of all backgrounds for its clear, concise treatment of international trade and finance theory. Using a wealth of contemporary examples and practical applications, INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS vividly demonstrates the relevance of theory to real-world economic issues and policy questions. Discussions are presented both verbally and graphically, making the book highly accessible even if you have little economics background. As you will soon discover, ?if it?s clear, concise and contemporary, it has to be Carbaugh!? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Great Book
I really like the book. It explains everything in an understanding way. I really recommend this book especially for those who wants to learn more about economics as well as how the countries interact each other in terms of trade.

International Economics
Good book, shipped within specified time.Good condition even though I had bought it used.

Good Book
I ordered this book for an International Economics class I am taking on-line.This is a good book with very valuable information.

Thank you!

Thank you so much~!!!
It was so fast and the textbook is in a really good condition.

Thank you!@@

International Economics
This book is easy to read and makes most concepts easy to understand. However, I find myself often stumped when using the index to search for specific terms.I believe that this index could be elaborated on, in an effort to research material more easily. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive review guide to help you refresh your study. This guide is particularly useful for midterms and final exams, condensing a semester's worth of information into one concise volume. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Economics in A Nutshell
This is an excellent overview of all the issues involved in the study of Economics. Briefly, but quite succinctly, it defines and describes the various economic concepts in both macroeconomics and microeconomics. While it is an excellent book for beginners, who want to acquaint with economics and diverse economic theories, starting as it from the basic concepts of demand, supply and elasticities, which constitute the main pillars of any economic theory, and leading them step by step through various macroeconomic and microeconomic theories that help in devising economic policies for the ultimate realization oftheir three main goals, namely, growth, full employment and price stability, it is also a valuable quick reference book for teachers, scholars and researchers in economic theory and practice. It is a book that can find a pride of place in not only libraries, but also shelves of economists and students of economics.

Good book for a quick review of economics
I am about to start an MBA program in the Fall and this was a good refresher of economic concepts.The book does not go into much depth into any particular subject and there are few real-world examples but this is a good book if you want to brush up on your Econ in preparation for a course that is more difficult.It would also make for a good read for anyone just curious about Economics.

Very Helpful Summary
I recently bought this book as a refresher, for my college-age daughter who was reluctantly studying MicroEconomics in a summer class.Relative to the long and obtuse textbook she was required to buy for the course, this breezy Cliff Notes summary was a charm.It provides a good narrative of all the key concepts and is a valuable layman's guide to understanding the topic. This was definitely a good additional investment alongside the course textbook.

Micro Review
I used this book as a study guide along with some online review test for the microeconomics CLEP test and did great! It breaks everything down really well and provides a really good basic overview.

For CLEP tests this should not be you only resource.
These reviews on Economics Cliffs Quick Review are outdated. Do not take the econimics CLEP tests if you have never taken a CLEP test before. If you want to take the Economics CLEP tests and you want really high grades you can go ahead and buy this book but it should not be your only resource. You should buy the REA guide(s) CLEP Microeconomics (Rea) - The Best Test Prep for the CLEPCLEP Microeconomics W/CD (Rea) - The Best Test Prep for the CLEPfor these CLEP tests which are not out yet but should be available in about 3 months. Yes these reviews are outdated-since then they have added questions about externalities which are not well explained (for CLEP test purposes) in this book. Be careful. Don't get in a hurry. By all means be patient and get the CLEP credit that you deserve! ... Read more

Product Description
Labor Economics, 5e is a well-received text that blends coverage of traditional topics with modern theory and developments into a superb Labor Economics book. The Fifth Edition builds on the features and concepts that made the first four editions successful, updating and adding new content to keep the text on the cusp of recent events in the Labor Economics field.The new edition continues to be the most concise book in the market, enabling the instructor to teach all relevant material in a semester-long class. Despite the book’s brevity, the instructor will find that all of the key topics in labor economics are efficiently covered in the Fifth Edition.Thanks to updated pedagogy, new end-of-chapter material, and even stronger instructor support, the Fifth Edition of Labor Economics remains one of the most relevant textbooks in the market. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent, accessible
This was a good textbook for labor economics, very accessible. It describes the theory in good detail then goes on to give examples of what happens in the real world.If I wasn't buying for class, I would still have bought an earlier edition.

On time and in condition as stated
The book arrived in brand new condition, as it was stated.It also did not receive any damages in the shipping and came on time for my shipping selection.

Great Condidtion
This book was in great condition when I received it. It was in the shrink wrap and was shipped fast.Unfortunately I did not need it for the class so I had to return it but the return was quick and easy.I recieved a refund within 2 weeks!

On time but conditions not as expected
Maybe I didn't read the little words on one side, or I was buying this book too much in a hurry. But the book was an international version that was not supposed to be sold in the US.The pages are made of a cheaper material so not very pleasant.I really only need the book for few references, but if you need to use this book for longer and extense use, I would go to a bookstore and buy a new version with better material.

Without question the BEST Labor Economics text ever!
This is truly an amazing work, which shows so many models of labor market phenomena at the undergraduate level that an undergraduate's economics education is incomplete without it.This book is essential reading for both undergraduates and policymakers who want to learn labor economics, economics in general, or have a deeper understanding of public policy issues.The best features are its unmatched explanations of human capital models, labor market discrimination models, and labor union models -- which will change the way you think of these issues and give deeper understanding.The book is both concise, deep, a quick and fun read, and makes Nobel-prize winning material accessible to any undergraduate or policy maker. ... Read more

Product Description
From one of the world's greatest economic minds, author of TheNew York Times bestseller The End of Poverty, a clear and vivid map of the road to sustainable and equitable global prosperity and an augury of the global economic collapse that lies ahead if we don't follow it

The global economic system now faces a sustainability crisis, Jeffrey Sachs argues, one that will overturn many of our basic assumptions about economic life. The changes will be deeper than a rebalancing of economics and politics among different parts of the world; the very idea of competing nation-states scrambling for power, resources, and markets will in some crucial respects become passŽ. The only question is how bad it will have to get before we face the unavoidable. We will have to learn on a global scale some of the hard lessons that successful societies have gradually and grudgingly learned within national borders: that there must be common ground between rich and poor, among competing ethnic groups, and between society and nature.

The central theme of Jeffrey Sachs's new book is that we need a new economic paradigm-global, inclusive, cooperative, environmentally aware, science-based-because we are running up against the realities of a crowded planet. The alternative is a worldwide economic collapse of unprecedented severity. Prosperity will have to be sustained through more cooperative processes, relying as much on public policy as on market forces to spread technology, address the needs of the poor, and to husband threatened resources of water, air, energy, land, and biodiversity. The "soft issues" of the environment, public health, and population will become the hard issues of geopolitics. New forms of global politics will in important ways replace capital-city-dominated national diplomacy and intrigue. National governments, even the U.S., will become much weaker actors as scientific networks and socially responsible investors and foundations become the more powerful actors.

If we do the right things, there is room for all on the planet. We can achieve the four key goals of a global society: prosperity for all, the end of extreme poverty, stabilization of the global population, and environmental sustainability. These are not utopian goals or pipedreams, yet they are far from automatic. Indeed, we are not on a successful trajectory now to achieve these goals. Common Wealth points the way to the course correction we must embrace for the sake of our common future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

Book Review
While this book contains some factual data and presents them in an interesting light, the author falls into the typical free market bashing rythm of many on the far left idalogues that view government as the solution to everything.Sachs relies heavily on the Global Warming "The sky is falling..." viewpoint that says that mankind is the reason for global climate change.If he did a little accurate research he would come to realize that the earth is not millions of years old, and that all of creation points to a creator who holds this all together.Yes we need to live responsibly as private citizens and corporations, but Sachs fails to recognize the reasons behind the growing "non-clean" energy which resulted from environmental extremists forbidding the use of clean energy technology like nuclear power.As Ronald Reagan once said "Government is not the solution to our problems, Government is the problem".

Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet
I found the text insightful and an interesting read. Sacks references many other notable economists from which he either shares their views and or expands upon them. A good read for those interested in the topic. I was somewhat disappointed in the final chapter, The Power of One. Overall, I would recommend this book. It provides timely information that can extend our thinking about the state of the economy and of the world.

3% of "Haves"income could realize 100%of"WORLD'S"major dreams
A brilliant, pragmatic, fact based analysis of the world's challenges and its resources. Would you give up THREE (3) % of your income to solve human-kinds challenges, held for thousands of years:The end of hunger, the end of poverty, safe water and shelter for all... Dr. Sachs carefully, irrefutably outlines how this is possible! Why don't we do it?

A must-read for all who want to make a difference.

Liberal Garbage
Humans should not be reading this book.I threw it away after reading it, it's not even worthy of donating to the Salvation Army.

400 pages from the Ministry of Truth
Don't bother reading this book.It merely repeats conventional wisdom (or government press releases) and dresses it up as "bold" social science writing.I guess that's what you do if you are an Ivy League professor.You invest thousands of words in a hackneyed, repetitious offering that no one in any position of authority would ever object to.What is the world lacking, according to Sachs?"Leadership."All we need is the courage and collective will to embark on huge government programs to fix the imperfections of market economies.Sachs praises every aspect of the New Deal, the TVA, rural electrification bureaucracies, etc.If only such "leadership" could take over every other aspect of the world economy.And he has drank the Koolaid regarding the theory of manmade global warming.There is not a single thought expressed in this book that you haven't already heard from the EPA, various Thomas Friedman columns or Weekly Reader. ... Read more