Customer Reviews

Economic Literacy: What Everyone Needs to Know About Money and Markets

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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)

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.

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 $$$.

If you know nothing about economics, this is the best book to start with. It's easy to read and contains many real life examples. Having studied Economics in university, I still find this book fascinating due to its simplicity. A must have!

This book is great! I read Economic Literacy once through, and now I find myself returning to it to refresh my memory on econ-related topics I encounter in the news or at the office. De Rooy uses a combination of brief lessons and anecdotes to relay information in a comprehensible form. I can understand best if I think of things in terms of real life experiences--Economic Literacy appeals to somebody like me because it is realistic. It is not at all lofty or overly theoretical. And hey, how many other econ books have cartoons in them? Economic Literacy makes a great gift, too! The friends with whom I shared it really enjoyed it.

This book is a great intro to the fundamentals of economics. TDr Rooy has lucidly in a simple question answer format described a myriad of topics that make sense to the causal reader.

Chapters 5,6,7 were so much fun that I could hardly put the book down. Mind u that I never really did any course work in Economics, I am a computer science graduate.

I really loved the book. I thoroughly recommend it to an economics novice.

I bought this in the late 90s at a used book shop. It is great reading and very useful for non-economists, the general public, and even for those who are studying economics at the undergraduate level. The book covers the major parts of the economy and can be used as casual reading as well as a reference work. It has a unique structure -- 5 major chapters each of which consists of a collection of 2-3 page articles. You can jump from one chapter to another, and you can pick and read individual articles within each chapter, without loss of continuity. It also has a unique index: not only includes key terms (indicated in bold in the index), but the names of the articles themselves. Everything is explained in plain English so you do not have to worry about being overwhelmed by technical jargon. Examples are from daily life and are very clearly explained. My only complaint is that I wish the author had updated the book.

What an awesome book! I recently began reading this book and have already fallen in love with DeRooy's style. He is an expert in clarifying complex ideas. I am only a general reader with a thirst for knowledge and this book is certainly recommended to those like myself. If only Jacob DeRooy were proficient in other subjects that interest me; he would do some great writing that will help educate the ignorant.

This book saved me in multiple economics classes, explaining terms that most books clouded with superfluous rhetoric and boring text. A must for anyone interested in money, and in that case, who isn't?

The economics course as taught in the classroom sometimes revolves around a lot of theory and leaves a poor connection to the real world. This book is the perfect bridge between theory as taught in college and the pragmatic side of the economy in the after-college world. If you are a business student (BBA or MBA),an entrepreneur or a simple citizen that wants to grasp the real deal of economics you should buy this book. After reading this book you will become a knowldegeable person in the practical side of economics with a broad view to make safe and sound arguments about economics with your professor,colleagues and friends. You might even impress them!