Customer Reviews

The Fatal Equilibrium

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book as it was assigned by co-author Ken Elzinga for his Econ 201 class at the University of Virginia. This book is very good. Short but still interesting, it has tons of economics in it. If you love econ you'll chuckle as you read, seeing all the places where the very principles you have learned about are spotlighted. If you're interested in econ you should definitely pick up this fun, quick and informative read.

This book's plot is a set on a college campus, and is oriented around the field of economics. Students of economics will be particularly enamored with this book. However, it is an excellent story that will please all fans of good mystery - whether they know anything about economics or not.

Of the three books to date in this series, I find the first to be the most interesting and closely plotted. Be prepared for the insertion of economic analyses in the most unexpected places; but if you like your mysteries to be more mental and less bone-crunching, vulgarity-spewing mayhem, the Henry Spearman series is a set of entertaining reads for an evening or two.

Fatal Equilibrium reminded me of early science fiction (written by scientists about scientists for an audience of other scientists). This book is definitely written by an economist about economists. If you're part of that clique, it's a great book.

Not everyone will consider it light reading, though. If you don't have at least one econ class somewhere in your background, some significant parts of the book (and the plot) will go over your head. There were sections that felt like they were cut-and-pasted right from the author's lecture notes. I kept hoping that the book would be more like Larry Niven's work - grounded in theory, but first and foremost, a gripping story with compelling characters. I'd rather absorb my knowledge along the way than be lectured to.

I enjoyed it and I'll read it again.

Marshall Jevons collaborates both a great mystery novel while presenting economic applications that people face in the world. Henry's explanation on the ecnomics of love and romance can be seen as strange, interesting, but most of all, comical. I truly recommend this book for those who plan on taking economics in college or are interested in the field of study. My economics class at the University of Chicago read this book which many enjoyed. After completing the book, we were asked to analyze the economics this book contains at a "deeper" level. Humanities clashed with economics without causing any type of argument among literature and economics majors.

This book was assigned to me for my Econ 201 class at UVa (virginia), and lo and behold, the author's real name is the professor for this class. Would this mean that one could say he is manipulating the market, and causing an immediate surge in demand during the otherwise weak sales-periods? Or is he simply using his power to dictate the syllabus to earn royalties? Cynicism aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I am a big fan of economics, and felt it was intriguing enough to read. The book manages to deftly intertwine many econ concepts and definitions throughout it, which is always useful for the beginning economist.

An intriguing page-turner -- Mr. Jevons has commenced a new genre: An Academic Thriller ! : )
Who knew learning could be so much fun. Thank you for this great series.

If Milton Friedman liked it then hey - gotta argue with him right? :)

This is a great book. Its interesting and provides a lot of thought behind it. At the same time, its not challenging in any way. Thankfully, the book is explained well, the concepts are explained even better. Even if you don't understand basic economics concepts (which you should), the book will explain to you quite well in a very fun context.

It will leave you a bit curious and wanting a bit more at the end, yet the writer has weaven a great story with an economics setting. A bit dark and gloomy at times though.

I do wish there was more mystery at the end, but the novel is a very short read. I believe the writer didn't want to neccesarily bore the readers with too much economics. If you like mysteries, read this book! It'll give you a little thought and a lot of fun.

I read this book as part of a study on how detective fiction mirrors society. The class was taught by Prof. William Breit at Trinity University, one of the co-authors of the book. Being an Econ major myself, I found this book's novel approach to blending economic concepts with a murder mystery to be unique and entertaining. Not your typical mystery novel, but one worth checking out.

I had to read this book for my Microeconomics class and was surprised to actually find it interesting. Fatal Equilibrium is well written and is a good read for anyone interested in economics. The book incorporates economic principals without making the story too dull. I recommend this book to anyone interested in econ or looking for a quick read.