Customer Reviews

Economics

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As far as I'm concerned, McConnell's "Economics" is the most thorough and well-structured macroeconomics text available. The examples are smart and clear, and the information fresh and updated, unlike other texts in this area of study. My vote: 5 stars.

Dr. Henry Toof
Cambridge, MA

I used this textbook in an advanced placement Macroeconomics course. Believe me the textbook itself is more interesting than the class. The text provides well detailed explainations of concepts and even provides a comprehensive glossary for those who might find the language alittle to difficult to understand. An overall great book, I've read other economics texts and this one is absolutely stellar in comparison.

As an MBA (with a fair subject background)interested in applied economics I found this to be an impressive piece of writing. The real world examples and colloquial expression can only comfort a reader intimidated by this very complex and volumnous discipline. I was rather srprised to see some of the reviews calling this a very difficult-to-comprehend text. In my opinion even someone relatively new to economics will find his knowledge stacking up as he progresses through the text. Given that the sequencing is not classic with micro followed by macro, I feal the authors have done a good job of going against the conventional and merging the potent interrelationships of these two basic areas-after all one evolves into the other. Also the web-based material was also more than helpful. Finally a book in its fifteenth edition, read over 40 odd years better be good.

McConnell and Brue do a B+ job in this book.However,it does not equal Samuelson's introductory textbook in economics in explanatory power in a number of areas.In this review I will concentrate on just one point of comparison concerning the paradox of thrift.McConnell and Brue effectively discuss this paradox at the macro economic level using the short run aggregate supply curve's three ranges-the horizontal Keynesian range,the upward sloping synthesis range and the Classical-Neoclassical vertical range.If the economy is operating in the Keynesian range or the lower part of the synthesis range,then McConnell and Brue correctly show that more current savings will lead to less future savings due to a decrease in investment and a reverse multiplier effect reducing spending.On the other hand, they correctly show that if the economy is operating in the vertical range,more savings will reduce inflationary pressures while making it possible for investment to increase IF(and only if)businessmen have correct expectations about the future.Samuelson also goes through this analysis.However, Samuelson goes one step further. Samuelson first discusses the linkage at the microeconomic level between the paradox of thrift and its microfoundations in the Production Possibilities Curve(PPF).Essentially, if the economy is operating inside the frontier(on the horizontal Keynesian range or upward sloping portion of the synthesis range),then more savings is detrimental and moves the economy deeper into the interior of the PPF.On the other hand,if the ecomomy is operating on the boundary of the PPF,then more savings can potentially be transformed into more investment,assuming that businessmen, operating in the private sector,have correct expectations about the future.Samuelson demonstrates that in the interior the micro optimality conditions break down and are not operational.McConnell and Brue do not cover this in their textbook.

The subject of Economics as a social science may not be readily grasped by everyone. The blame certainly shouldn't be laid upon this text which is suscinct, informative, and modern. The 15th Edition, written not neccessarily for only the post graduate student, has current examples and flows nicely. Professors may want to change the order of the chapters for ease of teaching style, but that is to be expected. It is an overall winner.

I am pursuing an MBA. I had no economics background, however I found this book to be easy to read, very well structured and most of all, you can find the actual applications of Economics. I highly recommend this book over Economics from Samuelson, he's a brilliant economist but he clearly doesn't explain as good. If you are going to buy only one book of economics, I recommend this one.

This textbook is very thorough, but at the same time very boring. It is the same edition that we used in our AP Econ class, and I feel that it has everything one has to know for the AP exam, along with all the graphs and charts. The book includes macro and microeconomic concepts. I recommend this textbook if you can stay awake through very dry chapters. I actually enjoy economics, but I learn best through lectures!
BTW, the Economics for Dummies book helped me a lot, even though it was a basic supplement to my in-class materials.

I looked for a book that shipped in state because I needed a quick replacement for a lost text book. Luckily I bought one from this user and I was very pleased! The order came in after a week. I had a great experience. Thank you

I don't study Economy, but I found that this book is easily understandable for those that have at least some notions about the subject. I liked it, because it includes some main themes everybody should know at least something about, and it is quite entertaining (for a book on this subject).

What is more, I would like to mention that at the end of each chapter the authors include some questions that help you to understand better what has already been explained. There is also a web link that provides you with the answers to those questions. So, if you are like me and not very good at this kind of thing but want to be sure you answered correctly, you will be able to find out).

All in all, I think that this book is a thoroughly good introduction to economy, easy to read and with some extra features that are extremely useful. Of course,recommended...

Belen Alcat

THE BOOK WAS EAZY TO FOLLOW AND THE STUDY QUESTIONS WERE ACTUALLY CLOSE TO THE EXAM QUESTIONS.