Customer Reviews

Economy by Thredgold : A Common Sense Discussion of the Economy, Money, and Success in the 21st Century

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Since his name's in the title, let's begin with learning who the author is. Jeff Thredgold is an economic futurist, a well-grounded forecaster. Today he works as an economic consultant and professional speaker, but his career includes 23 years with $85 billion banking giant KeyCorp, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Economist. He's frequently interviewed on CNN, CNBC, and the financial press. He has a reputation for explaining economic trends in terms that everyone can understand and appreciate. He takes "the dismal science" and makes it interesting and enjoyable.

This book is a sort of Everyman's Guide to Economic Issues. Everything You Ever Wanted to Know, but Didn't Know What to Ask. Information, insights, and observations are presented in eight categories: The US Economy; the US Government; Money, Inflation, and Interest Rates; Investment and Savings; Global Issues; Global Players; The American Consumer; and The Changing Workplace. Each chapter is filled with background information and lots of short-takes about various aspects of our economic life. Boxes contain more information and, along with some graphs and charts, break the flow of the text. The result is greater readability, combined with a tight focus USA Today-style presentation of what could be complicated material.

Even though this book was published in 2000, the knowledge Thredgold delivers is still relevant and educational. His appendix on "Happy Talk" reminds us of many of the positive aspects of the economy, while many dwell on how terrible things are. You'll be amazed at the depth and breadth of material covered in just 164 pages-which include some good-natured humor and several pages of helpful definitions. The index is complemented with a list of charts and tables.

If you're looking for a book that will help you understand this all-important field, I'd recommend "Economy by Thredgold." He doesn't cover the Middle East, the Pacific Rim, or Africa in depth, but gives the reader enough insight to better understand how actions in those arenas affect us all.