So, apparently economics is really boring. Or at least, it is if your only exposure is a high school or college Econ 101.
I never had the dubious pleasure of taking Econ 101, so I’ve always considered economics to be fun.
Charles Wheelan’s Naked Economics seeks to undo this apparently common misconception by “undressing” economics from the equations that presumably cause the average economics student to consider economics boring.
Since I’ve never considered economics boring, I don’t know how well this book succeeds at its goal – I do, however, know that I found this to be a simple and fascinating introduction to economics.
Wheelan addresses how markets work, what incentives do, how governments help and hinder things, how to measure economies, what the federal reserve does, and much more.
It’s great. It defines terms, fleshes out principles, and makes economics absolutely simple.
But I like economics. So I really can’t say much.
Except that, if you don’t like economics or have always been intimidated by it, you should probably check this book out.
It might just change your view of the “dismal science”.
Rating: 4 stars
Category: Economics
Synopsis: Wheelan gives a basic no-math introduction to economics.
Recommendation: If you find your eyes glazing over when people start talking economics – or if you enjoy economics – this is a good introduction to the wonderful (actually very interesting) world of economics.
I love Naked Economics! Although I am in the same boat as you. I had to read it for AP Macro-Econ in high school and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about that class. Wow Bek, we are such weirdos.
Well, I shall try to remember this for when my children are forced to take it in high school! ;-)