Economic Literacy: What Everyone Needs to Know About Money & Markets [Paperback]

Jacob De Rooy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 27, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0517886839 | ISBN-13: 978-0517886830

Gross domestic product, business cycles, Consumer Price Index, prime rate, terms we read in the newspapers but possibly don't fully comprehend. With humor, clarity, and a deft touch for simplifying complex ideas, Jacob De Rooy explains the basic concepts of economics in language anyone can understand. Written in accessible question-and-answer format, and divided into 26 concise articles, the book can be used in two ways: read straight through as a short course in economics, or dipped into as a reference work. Throughout the text, anecdotal examples illustrate economic ideas in real-life terms. For anyone involved in the world of business, Economic Literacy will be an invaluable companion.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

For those who still wonder at the "fairness" of charging interest for the use of money, the justification is nicely explained here. DeRooy, a director at Pennsylvania State University's School of Business Administration, explains all those economic concepts cited in the media with which readers may not be completely comfortable. He uses a question-and-answer format, loosely arranged in 26 articles, and illustrates many concepts more fully with personal vignettes. Easily read from cover to cover, this book can also be used as a reference tool; the index directs one to various terms that are boldfaced in the text, with summary explanations italicized and related articles indicated with a pointer. Despite the reputation of economics as the "dismal science," DeRooy has written a useful, gently humorous work that won't scare off the number-shy with an overabundance of statistics. Public libraries should welcome this.?Alex Wenner, Indiana Univ. Libs., Bloomington
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Gross domestic product, business cycles, Consumer Price Index, prime rate, terms we read in the newspapers but possibly don't fully comprehend. With humor, clarity, and a deft touch for simplifying complex ideas, Jacob De Rooy explains the basic concepts of economics in language anyone can understand. Written in accessible question-and-answer format, and divided into 26 concise articles, the book can be used in two ways: read straight through as a short course in economics, or dipped into as a reference work. Throughout the text, anecdotal examples illustrate economic ideas in real-life terms. For anyone involved in the world of business, Economic Literacy will be an invaluable companion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Crown Business (August 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517886839
• ISBN-13: 978-0517886830
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for those who've never read an economics textbook, February 20, 2004

By 

"sanglee5576" (Seoul South Korea) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Economic Literacy: What Everyone Needs to Know About Money & Markets (Paperback)

I read this book right after ploughing through Mankiw's economics textbooks, and must say that "Economic Literacy" is an excellent book for illiterates on the subject of economics. There is no abstract and counter-intuitive math, and De Rooy covers most of the subjects found in the econ textbook that I read. One of the best aspects of this book is that the author will clarify econ concepts by giving simple, concrete examples of how said concepts work. Another usefull aspect of this book is that subtitles are in question form (Is inflation always linked to economic growth? Do wage rates influence employment? How does the Fed keep the banking system healthy?), allowing one to use the book as a quick reference if necessary. Overall, I think this is an excellent book as a standalone if one wants to learn about economics in general, knowledgeable terms. For the econ student, it may be helpful as an aid when the going gets rough (though, generally, study groups and visiting hours are much more effective...depending)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simply the best book one can find on economics, August 30, 2005

By 

AD - See all my reviews

This review is from: Economic Literacy: What Everyone Needs to Know About Money & Markets (Paperback)

I am a techy and joined workforce in 2000. I started sensing the bubble and the bust and was really insecure about what the world and job market would look like once all this is over. Realized I need to learn something about economics which until then I thought was a boring dry bunch of theories of no use.

Well this book changed my life, I joined MBA and got a whole new perspective towards life.

A must read for any novice.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Intro to Economics on the Market, May 26, 2007

By 

M. McKenna "Dave" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Economic Literacy: What Everyone Needs to Know About Money & Markets (Paperback)

De Rooy easy to read commentary is simplistic yet thorough. I own the Idiot's Guide to Economics and Economics for Dummies, but these books do not compare with with Economic Literacy. I strongly urge this as a buy for anyone who wants to learn about the fascinating world of $$$.