Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science by Charles J. Wheelan


Don't know much about economics? Well...

Published in 2003 by W.W. Norton and Company.

If, like most, you don't know much about economics, than I strongly recommend giving yourself a painless, entertaining introduction to the major concepts by checking out Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science.

Serious economists are sure to argue all sorts of fine points with Charles Wheelan, but the broad strokes of economic theory are laid out in an easy-to-read, fun, informative format that uses no graphs, charts or mathematical formulae. The experts may love all of those tools and jargon, but they do get in the way for most everyone else. Wheelan is one of those rare people who speaks technical econ-speak and regular English and can translate for the majority.

This is a strong enough book that I would seriously recommend it for anyone taking a basic econ class as a primer. I would also recommend it as a supplemental textbook to go along with a basic econ textbook for advanced high school students or Econ 101 type classes in college. I would even recommend it instead of most basic econ textbooks since they are usually about as interesting as reading the owners manual for a microwave oven. Naked Economics is a book that will be read and enjoyed, rather than skimmed, dreaded and cursed.

Read this along with Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat and you have doubled your education about economics and the modern world and you have a fundamental grasp of the modern economy. Notice I said fundamental, not complete - these book are tremendous places to start your learning.

 I rate this book 5 stars out of 5.

 This book can be found on Amazon.com here: Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan.

 Reviewed on April 13, 2008.

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