Customer Reviews

Economic Growth

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is obviously the product of two great teachers! Everything is very clearly explained. There are some very nice details about conditional convergence across the US states. If you're looking to augement your economics knowledge after taking an intermediate macroeconomics class, short of actually taking one of these author's classes, this would definitely be the way.

You cannot avoid reading this book if you are going to do any advance undergraduate economics courses......
Well, not really, but if you read through chapters 1 to 5 and take time to workout the equations, you will surely find your knowledge in economics augment quite a bit: as long as you do not enrol into a PhD course, equations in economics texts can no longer unnerve you.
Furthermore, according to my lecturer, this is the only introductory text on growth theory which covers New Growth Theory (chapter 6), i.e. models with imperfect competition and innovation .
An evidence of this book's popularity: I saw a big pile of them in Blackwell's in Oxford (biggest bookstore in Britain)

Prior to having used this book, Macroeconomics was the bain of my life. A short sweater wearing Frenchman assigned it as the set text of his course and everything changed. The models are clear, lucid and stimulating. The exposition is first rate and the mix of theory with empirics is frankly breathtaking.

I used to turn up 20 minutes late to macro lectures out of fear, now I wake up early asking myself "How can I make Peru grow faster". Is Economic Growth dull? Now, not so much as not at all...

This is a must read for graduate macro. class and economic growth. The ordinary differential equations discussion at the appendix is concise and intuitive. Derivation of equations is very clearly presented in this book. But you must read the appendix before you read the first chapter. Like how to derive the growth convergence rate in ch.2 and the numerical procedures in the book. This book exhibits a perfect blend of theory, econometric work and even numerical method. Of course, for log linearization, you definitely want to look for elsewhere. The last few chapters are good for choosing dissertation topics.
I tried to read Aghion and Howitt's 1992 seminal paper of endogenous growth, but found it inscrutible. After reading this book, I find it much easier.
The only reason that it does not deserve 5 stars is huge number of typos, especially the numbering of equations. For example, pp.109, the description of fig 2.3 does not match the figure.

This is an excelent book that covers very well "the old and new" Growth Theory". However it is a very hard book and be prepared to use everything you know about math and economics. Perfect book for graduation courses in growth theory. My only suggestion is to include a chapter about the efect of institutions on the economies.

Economic Growth, by Sala-i-Martin anb Barro, has already become a classic. I can't think of anything better on the subject. Excellent book and carefully written!

"Economic Growth" by Robert Barro and Xavier Sala-I-Martin is one of the best book about economic growth theory who I've seen. This book together with "Advanced Macroeconomics" by David Romer and "Endogenous Growth Theory" by Philippe Aghion and Peter W. Howitt are the principal books about all the modern economic growth theory. I recommend very much this book. PD. I bought the last book, sorry.

Just like mentioned in the title, this is a wonderful book on economic growth theory. Everything you want to know about economic growth, either old school or cutting edge, theoretical or empirical, for learners or for researchers, is in there for the enrichment of your knowledge. The authors are erudite and write smooth and clear English for anyone to grab an in-depth understanding of their ideas. Moreover, Amazon makes a good and fast delivery service too, right to your front door, of the book exactly as you want, brand new and appropriately packaged, safe from almost anything. It's really great, I like it very much. And you will, too!

No mention of Paul Romer's work on growth, that makes technological change endogenous. His paper came out in 1991 so there's no excuse for it.

Hi, I ran into this book while taking Professor Sala-I-Martin's Intermediate Macro class at columbia. I found it to be much clearer and useful as compared with the assigned textbook. His final is impossible without it, get it early and follow along when he discusses the Solow Swan model, Endogenous growth rate, etc. You'll thank me when you ace the final.