Customer Reviews

The Economics of Public Issues (13th Edition)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My economics survey course is using this as a supplemental textbook, and I can say that without a doubt it's the most interesting nonfiction text I've ever been assigned.

The book basically consists of about thirty 4-8 page articles on various real-world topics, ranging from the obvious (rent controls, minimum wage) to the exotic (prostitution, global warming). In each case, the authors explain how you can apply economic principles to these issue at hand--and often come to a conclusion that would have surprised you before you read the article, but now seems as obvious as the color of the sky. A lot of the articles are U.S.-centric, but the authors draw on examples from other countries where appropriate.

Our teacher has been assigning a reading every week or so, but I often found myself continuing three or four articles past the assigned one because the topics were so interesting. If your teacher assigned this text, count yourself lucky; if you're looking for some independent reading, take a close look at this book.

The Economics of Public Issues is an enjoyable textbook for the college student. It is perfect for its compact size, yet concise in detail. The topics are very illustrative, and students will find them relevant to today's world.

This is a must read for the layman who doesn't want to read Economics 101. Many politicians and well-intentioned citizens should realize what they're up against when they try to thwart the laws of economics, whether it's the minimum wage, ticket scalping, drugs or abortions. This book explains in clear terms why many laws to regulate these issues are doomed from the start. In addition, this book is a great companion for a macroeconomics course to promote class discussions. However, if you already fully understand the laws of supply and demand, then this book is little more than light reading on a plane, and probably not worth the price. Paul Krugman's, The Accidental Theorist, addresses many of the same issues, is a lot cheaper, and more fun to read.

I used this book with a class of gifted high school seniors. It's absolutely perfect when you want to THINK like an economist, but not graph like one or plug into equations like one. Chapters cover very current and intersting issues, guaranteed to appeal to high school and college students and to stimulate discussion. Highly recommended.

This is a great little book to use as a companion to a textbook in any intro to economics class. Accessible even to people with no econ background at all, it shows how the principles of economics can be useful to understand a variety of different issues. The readings are short and clear, and they cover real-world, current issues. I would also recommend this to any reader who wants to learn more about the practical applications of economics.

A book which incorporates real life issues, values, and problems into economic terms. The authors chose subjects like ethanol, slavery and airplane safety and used these as a base to further explain how economics is used in our daily lives. An interesting book, one who hates the subject [economics] will be a little bit intrigued with a majority of the content. I, personally, hate economics but I found myself enjoying the book.

This book covered a wide range of topics with articles pertaining to economic issues. The articles were short and entertaining. The questions at the end of the articles were useful and thought provoking. Difficult topics are covered (e.g., rent control, airline safety, drug usage) in a fashion that allowed the reader develop their own opinion of the role economics plays on the issue.

This book takes you to a short, but deep conversation on how public issues in United States has become very debatable and hard to control. The chapters pertaining to mortgages meltdown, public pensions, and our favorite, Social Security, all gives us how origination came to be and how Americans demand more out of it, as if it were supposed to be used as income to live off of.

The book arrived very quickly and in wonderful condition, perfect timing for my procrastination style of ordering books for my classes.

The cheapest price I had found. With the high quality it has (very close to new), it is definitely worth purchasing. The contents are very clear and easy to understand, although it is not comprehensive and sometimes refers the reader to other textbooks.