Intermediate Microeconomics [Textbook Binding]

Hal R. Varian (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393973700 | ISBN-13: 978-0393973709 | Publication Date: February 1, 1999 | Edition: 5th

This edition continues the title's contemporary emphasis and is aimed at students studying microeconomics in their first or second years. It provides fresh insights into information technology, expanded coverage of strategic behaviour and a new chapter on auctions featuring fresh research.

Product Details

• Textbook Binding: 550 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 5th edition (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393973700
• ISBN-13: 978-0393973709
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More math please!, May 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Intermediate Microeconomics (Textbook Binding)

This really is an excellent introduction to microeconomics, but its weakness is that it tries to be all things to all people. The author appears to be trying very hard not to scare away potential readers who might be intimidated by calculus. This is a shame, since the level required is not very difficult. All that is really needed is a quick review of the derivitative, and the chain rule in particular. Calculus is essential for any further study of economics, so relegating it to the back of chapters does not do students any service. Having said all that, the concepts are very clearly and thoroughly expained. I just wish the math were more 'up front.'

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great introduction into microeconomics, June 3, 2002

By 

D. Haardt "davidhaardt" (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Kanada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Intermediate Microeconomics (Textbook Binding)

Varian has done a great job. He got the balance between the math necessary for serious microeconomics, and the examples and jokes necessary to keep the students reading. Using the dual approach (household and producer behaviour), he introduces the reader into microeconomics at a level which makes it possible to move on to more esoteric books like his own 'Microeconomic Analysis', or 'Microeconomic Theory' by Mas-Colell, Whinston, Green. He manages to cover much more than Mankiw can, which is good and necessary to build a solid basis. Yet the book is accessible to anyone familiar with high school math (differentiation and optimization), and requires no economic prerequisites. He also covers several more advanced topics on a stand-alone basis (like economics of information, or game theory) which on the one hand is very useful, as it gives the reader an idea as to where one can head to, but on the other hand is not satisfying as these chapters are necessarily rather superficial. Apart from that, the book is great to built a rigorous basis for household and producer behaviour, and makes it rather easy to go on to much more advanced literature. The math is hidden in the appendices, so it is necessary for a serious understanding to cover these as well, but I don't see any problem with that. This book is as excellent as an introductory micro book can ever be.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good in Theory, December 11, 2000

By 

farzal (Austin TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Intermediate Microeconomics (Textbook Binding)

I used this book for intermediate Economics course at UT Austin. I found it a great supplement to class lectures, etc. Though it lacks Math examples, there is an associated study guide for this book. For all the Math demanders, I suggest they buy the paperback edition of studyguide for this book.