No comments about Study Guide for Micro.

2 comments about Microeconomics (5th Edition).

1. First of all, I must admit that my major isn't related to economics, so I had little previous knowledge of economics when I began reading the book. I was simply looking for an introduction to microeconomics and sort of randomly bumped into this book. I found that the authors' exposition of various topics is not very clear and the explanations are sometimes lacking sufficient detail. More importantly, the order of presentation needs improvement; quite often I found myself going back and forth in the pages of the book, trying to understand what the authors want to say. If you are looking for an introductory textbook in microeconomics, you can probably find something much better (I might suggest one of Varian's books, depending on your mathematical background; I found "Intermediate Microeconomics" quite good).



2. Although the title says "Introduction", this is an intermediate level book on microeconomics, and as such, it is very good.

1 comments about Busy Family's Guide to Money (USA TODAY/Nolo Series).

1. Way too much going out and not enough coming in - that is essentially the summary describing most people's money troubles. "The Busy Family's Guide to Money: Simple Steps to Financial Security" is what it says it is - a guide for families for which every day seems like some variation of chaos for them, to get their finances in order. With plenty of easy to follow advice to how to start saving money, getting the most out of your mortgage, simple investment tips, tax breaks, and so much more to help families put themselves back on the right track. Deftly composed, "The Busy Family's Guide to Money: Simple Steps to Financial Security" is highly recommended for community library finance collections and for any head of a busy household.

5 comments about Microeconomics: A Modern Approach (3rd Edition) (Addison-Wesley Series in Economics).

1. My course(economic theory) was complex and the instructor wasn't so successful in explaining complex situations.This book came into help that time.I've learnt so many things from this book and am still continuing that.Also it was a very powerful source when studying my midterm and final exams.



2. I have never in my Economics studies read a book so simple, helpful and practical like this one. It has economics newspaper and journal excerpts to supplement the topics. It starts by explaining to the reader the economy from scratch (ie when there is no production or no firms) up to the complex stages that many advanced economie have reached by now. Although the structure inside might intimidate you, and of course its size, believe me the book is most READABLE! It covers everything on microeconomics, especially undergraduate. It is excellent!



3. An easier version of Mas-colell's microeconomic theory. Includes nice examples. Although Hal Varian's book is preferred in most undergraduate micro courses, this one is surely better. (maybe the best)
   strongly recommended.



4. I felt that this book did not meet the "hype" that my professor created for this book. Both he and another professor at my school raved about how good it was, although both myself and more thank 12 other students (in a class of about 20) were disappointed.

   First, the book contained too many grammatical errors--I found this to be quite shocking, especially considering that the author's partner is an english prof. I also purchased the study guide from the publisher, and it too contained a few too many typographical errors. Further, I found some of the examples in the practice problems to be inappropriate, given the weak explanation in the preceding chapter section's lesson.

   One positive comment I do have is that the approach or theme that the author uses from the very start of the book (using the "simple society") definitely indicates that the author made a sincere effort to reach his less-experienced undergrad audience. Perhaps the subsequent edition will be an improvement?




5. Certainly the most interesting treatment of Microeconomics I've read. Like most American texts, it's about twice as long as it needs to be, but I never felt the urge to give up reading and just skim the pages.

4 comments about Microeconomics: Behavior, Institutions, and Evolution (The Roundtable Series in Behavioral Economics).

1. The idea of Walrasian equilibria is in serious trouble, and there isn't a good back filler that fits experimental evidence. If this represents an exciting plot for you, read on. On the other hand, if you want to hide out in late 19th century (supplemented by 1950s) math models for a few more years, avoid this book.
   
   If Bowles is any indication of the enlightened center, the walls of stable microeconomic theory are shaking. The trumpets are blown by experimentalists and and supporting work from serious anthropologists, historians, etc. that suggest people just don't quite do what is expected by classical microeconomics. That is a problem. Elegance that isn't factual just isn't science. Neither does it look like the gods of game theory fully come to the rescue, no matter how elegant Nash equilibria might be.
   
   Still, the most likely candidate theory for stable microeconomics is the evolution literature and the associated game theoretic concepts that have been staples in biology for over 30 years. Ideas adapted from biology may offer dynamics without contextuality. Bowles teaches related constructs neatly in a book that is still less quantitative than a few others I have looked at. There are few partial differentials for their own sake. On the other hand, there is real math here--enough to scare people off who are fightened by such things, but math isn't the point as it can be in other micro theory works. The point is reality, which is also the slippery slope that will make this book hard for the trade to adopt, I'd guess. Remarkably, the book reads like a search for solutions rather than the expression of what can be said with simple math models in a logically consistent manner.
   
   If your prof uses this text for microeconomic theory, you are lucky. It could be a lot worse. On the other hand, if you are an economist (or wannabe), you might want to supplement this with more conventional work if you are going to face departmental exams, syllabus reviews, etc.
   
   This is decidedly the new view of things, though it will probably become dated in a reasonably short period as experimentalists proceed. It is isn't a history book of ahistorical microeconomic theory, which is the safe way to go for conventional texts.
   
   Overall, this is probably as exciting as microeconomic theory can be, and it is the foundations of an honest social science theory--no matter how tentative. It opens more questions than it solvies which is probably the new standard for positive social science texts.
   
   The book might have been improved by some broader treatment of social network theory in the game theory section and by even more extensive treatment of experimental evidence and methods--particularly methods. Few people are actually training social scientists to do experiments these days. That's too bad. It is the future.
   
   If this work is the skeleton of such a future, economists are going to be political psychologists, are going to be behavioral biologists, are going to be population ecologists, etc. It may be a very interesting time to become an economist if this is the sort of book a program is using. Historians and science studies folks will want to monitor these emerging changes. This is a place to peg legitimate change.



2. In Microeconomics, Bowles applies game theory, the insights of experimental economics, a contested exchange theory of the firm based upon conflict and power, and endogenous formation of traits, to microeconomic theory.
   
   This is probably the most developed statement of what Bowles has called "Post-Walrasian Economics." Essentially, a form of neoclassical economics in which the unrealistic assumptions of Walrasian/ perfectly competitve type economics are rejected and not merely replaced "imperfect" competition and information (e.g. some degree of divergence from the walrasian assumptions, using those assumptions as their reference point). Rather, Bowles gives complex, somewhat realistic descriptions of the non-Walrasian characteristics of the economy, many of which have a totally different qualitative side than the Walrasian model.
   
   Bowles is largely successful, yet there are some problems. There is alot of calculus in this book, not at an incredibly high level, but this certainly limits the appeal of this book to many readers without an understanding of calculus. Also, many of the examples used in the models are very abstract. An agent is faced with a choice to "adopt a characteristic" when they "have an interaction" with some other agent. Nothing wrong with abstraction per se, but it would be nice to have a better idea of what real world issues these models have relevance for.
   
   Also, Bowles rose to prominence as one of the top radical economists and one of the founders of the Union for Radical Political Economics. He apparently still has similar political views and much of this book supports the existence of pervasive market failures supports a left perspective. Yet, not much time is spent on the particular topics usually explored by radical models. Those aspects of the "conflict theory" of the firm which are most profound, such as the choice of technique being influenced by the need of the capitalist to maximize their bargaining power rather than efficiency, are mentioned but not explored in great detail. However, given the incredibly detailed exploration of various aspects of conflict in the labor process, the models developed in this book have great value for those looking to develop new radical models.
   
   Also, this book is thoroughly neoclassical (albeit informed by the best advances in NC economics, even those which contradict age old staples of NC theory) in terms of price and distribution theory, etc... As someone who is heterodox in their beliefs about economics, this is bit of a disappointment for me. However, most of these insights could be integrated into heterodox theory.
   
   There are also a few problematic claims in this book. Bowles apparently supports Duncan Foley's argument that if we focus on aggregate outcomes, the consequences of the SMD theorem are somewhat mitigated. Foley's claims are actually quite questionable. See Frank Ackerman's "Still Dead After all these Years: Interpreting the failure of General Equilibrium Theory."



3. Samuel Bowles, a heterodox economist known for his long time cooperation with Herb Gintis on various cutting edge works in the field of behavioral economics and related subjects, has made a fantastic synthesis of all the material and conclusions in this area of research in "Microeconomics: Behavior, Institutions and Evolution".
   
   As the title promises, Bowles makes extensive use of concepts from socio-evolutionary theory, institutional economics and anthropology, as well as applications from (evolutionary) game theory, to discuss the basics of economic choices, interaction, cooperation, and exchange. It may take a bit of adjusting at first, especially if one is not used to heterodox economics, since his well-written overview starts from very different points than most generic orthodox textbooks do. But it is very rewarding: all the relevant issues are presented in their complexity, nothing is swept under the carpet, and what makes this book in particular commendable is the way in which information from anthropology, psychology and the social sciences is weaven into the 'story'. The contrast with the ridiculous assumptions and the unrealistic or simply false simplistic models of standard neoclassical textbooks (like for example that of Mankiw) is striking.
   
   It must be said that a proper understanding of all the arguments requires familiarity with intermediate level mathematics for economists, and the general level of abstraction and discussion is quite high, so this is not an easy book. Fortunately, this is mitigated somewhat by Bowles' clear writing, and sometimes he also takes the trouble (which unfortunately few economists do) of specifically explaining what the mathematical formulas mean, for people who have difficulty with somewhat advanced equations and the like. In any case, he relies quite correctly more on empirical arguments regarding problems of the common, of evolution of institutions, the workings of altruism, prisoner's dilemmas, and so on than on any kind of math (although these things can be expressed in math, often).
   At the end, Bowles provides some problem sets organized by subject as in the book, to allow readers and students to grapple with the issues presented.
   
   Overall, this is probably the best overview specifically about microeconomics currently in existence, and it's a shame that it is not the standard textbook in all economics classes on the subject. Much better than anything Mankiw, Barro etc. have ever produced.



4. I'm an economic major and this book is use in our "Price Theory" class. Most of the student in this class, including me, agrees it is not a good textbook. The author just keep on blathering about the topic and hardly showing any examples or applications. How are we suppose to learn about the topic? Today, I just made two books purchase, "Price Theory and Applications" by Landsburg and "Price Theory and Applications: Decisions, Markets, and Information" by Hirshleifer. Hope these two new books can shed some light on this course.

1 comments about Econometrics.

1. This book is very easy to follow (compared to Greene's econometrics), but it still manages to cover advanced level of econometrics modeling.

1 comments about Economics of the Energy Industries: Second Edition.

1. Studying outdated energy practices in this blisteringly fast-paced world seems like a waste of time. It dooesn't cover any of the newer technologies, it completely disregards biodiesel, it calls ethanol a waste without going into detail, and its long-winded historical approach doesn't teach well.
   
   Urge your professor to find a better book.

4 comments about Business, Economics, and Finance with Matlab, GIS, and Simulation Models.

1. Anderson's book is equal parts course and reference guide for using Matlab and simulation models for business and economic analysis. It offers material for both those who have a strong understanding of the programs (though may be relatively new to economic, financial, or market analysis), and those who are just getting started with the program.
   
   The book's greatest strength is the material on Matlab and simulation modeling, combined with the insight the author provides from his extensive experience as a consultant and industry economist.
   
   It should be noted that this book is not an extensive guide to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Although the book provides many helpful examples, and advice on incorporating GIS into business and economic analyses, this is not its emphasis. However, what it lacks in instruction in the area of GIS, it more than makes up for in its other content.
   
   In all, this book is highly recommended. It provides fantastic instruction and reference in using Matlab and simulation modeling tools for business and economic analysis.



2. This book appeals to me for several reasons. It discusses sophisticated methods of valuing business enterprises, and critiques competing models with a matter-of-course approach. The reader is given the perspective and reference to related work. Pitfalls of prejudiced and lackadaisical estimation are shown with neat examples.
   
   On the technical side, experienced MatLab users find good ready-to-implement tools, code segments, and references in the book. The book encourages the use of simulation analysis, and brings it down from its pedestal to business-management level as part of a standard business-planning procedure. Given the traditional disregard for detailed GIS data (springing from the absence of software and expertise), this book also brings up the role of multifaceted geography in business performance and strategy. While not a textbook in GIS methods, it fills a gap in reference literature and shows how loaded the concepts are.



3. As a doctoral student in Finance, I use Matlab a lot for modeling and computation. I had been searching for a reference book that can help me build simulation models using SIMULINK. But the only books available are in specialized fields such as physics or engineering. Patrick Anderson's book attract me immediately by its title. A combination of MATLAB, SIMULATION, GIS and Economics-- that's exactly what I was looking for. It managed to keep up with my high expectation with its highly informative content. The examples given were very well selected and close to application, corresponding Matlab code were neat. It kept surprising me with bonus tricks in using MATLAB(such as getting yahoo stock time seres directly using Matlab, creating XML files), which themselves are well worth the price. I recommend this book to researchers or analysts who want to stand at the frontier of business evaluation, and those who want to exploit the power of Matlab in business forecasting.



4. The author is 'the Founder and Principal of the Anderson Economic Group, a consulting firm with expertise in economics, finance, market research and public policy', and if that has not impressed you, use of 'stadia' as the plural of 'stadium' should.
   
   This is a superficial book that mentions everything from fuzzy logic to Ito's lemma and knows what a Main Street economic consultant would. It fails miserably as an introduction to Matlab or Simulink: its Matlab code is sketchy, and Simulink diagrams sufficiently incomplete and uncommented to be useless.
   
   The two positive reviews by self-identified doctoral students invite sad, sad thoughts.

1 comments about How to Survive Without a Salary/Learning How to Live the Conserver Lifestyle.

1. This book was laugh out loud funny in several places, but also has some interesting ideas about how to live one's life in an enjoyable, but far less expensive way. Much of it I had heard before, but never seen in such an easily accessible and funny/easy to read format. As simple as much of the ideas here are...and ANYONE can use them...living the "conserver" lifestyle is not for those already living at or below the poverty line...as his "method" points out you need to be out of debt and have savings and investments set up to live this way practically. So, really...like several other books I've read recently (most notably The Joy of Not Working) this is really a book for people making 30,000-60,000 (or more) and are tired of the rat race and looking for a new and "better" way to live and enjoy life.
   
   I also think it's important to point out that How to Survive Without a Salary is NOT about living with out a job or some other form of income, it's really about taking a few steps away from the strangle hold of corporate America and living for one's self and one's family...this book isn't so much about dropping out as it is about opting out to another type of job that is more conducive to living a good family life and comes with a lot of funny anecdotes if you do it "right." I think maybe the average person working at poverty level MIGHT able to do this, but it would most likely take 5x as long as he predicts and would be a serious hardship for families (not so much for single people or married without kids couples).
   
   What I think this book does best is demonstrate an alternate way of thinking about how we live and how we spend our money. Some of the best advice here is the logical and oft repeated, don't buy it on credit...but also he admonishes us not to run out and buy things RIGHT when the need arises (if at all possible), because often, an alternative solution will arise (sale, used item given, ect...) that winds up saving the person a great deal of money. Also a warning...the author is Canadian and this book does not deal with the health care dilemma that most of us in the US are faced with, so from that perspective, this book would require some serious thinking for the average American working class family to undertake...because we don't get health care for free. That said, I would definitely add this to my library...but as I am currently living at poverty level, I am at a place where I have to figure out extra income to make this type of life a reality for myself, at least the parts that I would like to incorporate into *my* plan.

3 comments about Introductory Economics.

1. This books sucks,I have never had an intro level book read so horribly - they are like all over the place talking about this and then say but we will cover that in a later chaper! Why did they even bring it up! Does not have far enough graph examples - try again!



2. If you're like me, interested in economics with no previous background in math or econ, then this is the best place to start. I enjoyed it greatly. Yes, it is "dumbed down", so if you do have previous knowledge of math or econ, then this is most certainly not the book for you, but that does not mean that this book is in anyway "dumb". This book is simply what it claims to be, an introduction to the world of economics. It is well written and easy to understand. Though I do believe the Micro section is stronger than the Macro, it is a great place to begin. Consider it an Intro to an Introductory course.



3. I teach economics at Northeastern Wisconsin Techncial College in Green Bay, Wisconsin, so it's likely that my students are buying this book from Amazon. As I tell them in the class, economics is about making decisions after considering both costs and benefits. Selecting the textbook is an example of that. The 'costs' are that there's no glossy paper, no color pictures, and no up-to-the minute applications. The 'benefits' are that it is an inexpensive textbook that covers the basics that we need for class, and that it can be supplemented with real world examples from online articles and RSS feeds. I think there is a real benefit to students when they have to read only short, self-contained chapters. But if you're looking for something that attempts to cover absolutely everything and tries to include current events, this is not the book for you. Instead, try one of those 1000-page encyclopedic variations that are good for weight training. I have found that students can't or won't read all of that material anyway!