Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? A Fast, Clear, and Fun Explanation of the Economics You Need For Success in Your Career, Business, and Investments (An Uncle Eric Book) [Paperback]

Richard J. Maybury (Author), Jane A. Williams (Editor)

Book Description

Series: An Uncle Eric Book

In "Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?" Richard Maybury uses historical events from Ancient Rome to explain economic principles. This clearly written book about economics is a remarkably easy and fun explanation of investment cycles, velocity, business cycles, recessions, inflation, the demand for money and more. Essential for every student, businessperson and investor. Recommended by former U.S. Treasury Secretary William Simon. It is also on many recommended reading lists.

Can be used for courses in Economics, Business, Finance, Government and Ancient Rome. To improve the student's learning experience, also purchase the student study guide for "Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?" titled "A Bluestocking Guide: Economics" also available through Amazon.com.

Table of Contents for Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?

Acknowledgements
Study Guide Available
Preface
Note to Reader
A Note About Economics

Smart

1. Money: Coins and Paper
2. Tanstaafl, The Romans, and Us
3. Inflation
4. Dollars, Money, and Legal Tender
5. Revolutions, Elections, and Printing Presses
6. Wages, Prices, Spirals, and Controls
7. Wallpaper, Wheelbarrows, and Recessions
Boom and Bust Cycle Since the Civil War
8. Fast Money
History Repeats
9. Getting Rich Quick
10. The Boom and Bust Cycle
11. How Much is a Trillion?
The Roaring 90s
Federal Debt Chart
12. What's So Bad About the Federal Debt?
An Interesting Exercise
One Reason Governments Spend So Much
13. Summary
14. Where Do We Go From Here?
15. Natural Law and Economic Prosperity
Nations and Legal Systems
Appendix (not a complete listing)
Supply of Dollars Chart
Real Wages Chart
Quotes
Median Income Chart
The Oil Myth
How to Invest in Gold and Silver
Measures of Money Supply
The Truth About Inflation
Real Investment Value
Resources
Internet Addresses
Book Suppliers
Distilled Wisdom
Bibliography
Glossary
Answers to Exercises for Real Investment Value
Index
For Further Study (also available through Amazon.com)
Economics: A Free Market Reader
Contains articles by noted economists that expand on the concepts presented in Penny Candy. Study questions/answers included.

Capitalism for Kids
Explains the philosophy of entrepreneurship. Excellent information for both kids and adults. Includes a test to help kids determine if they have the personality to become an entrepreneur

Common Sense Business for Kids
Explains common sense strategies behind basic business principles. Gems of wisdom for the businessperson (young or experienced) conveyed through real-life stories and anecdotes. Though written with young people in mind, this book is engaging and beneficial for adults as well.

Whatever Happened to Justice? rev. ed.
Explains the common law model. Maybury says, "In my opinion, you and your family and friends will avoid a lot of trouble, and find success of every kind easier to achieve, if you adopt these two models, Austrian economics and common law. 'Penny Candy' explains the Economic model. Now, read 'Justice' for the Legal model. Underlying common law are two basic rules: 1) do all that you agreed to do and 2) do not encroach on other persons or their property."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8-10-- Maybury has used a series of letters as a clever technique to present some basic economics lessons. In brief chapters, the breezy text explains terms such as recession, inflation, money, the wage/price spiral, and Gresham's Law. But the book lacks thoughtful analysis. Reminiscent of many letters to the editor, Maybury's style of economic reasoning is simplistic and biased against government. The reason big corporations can't buy better tools, he asserts, is that they must "pay so many taxes that they don't have enough money left over." In another passage, government is blamed for "taking money from others." (Civic responsibility and government services are not a part of the author's vocabulary.) He does nothing to promote global understanding by his references to the reliability of money in Chile, Mexico, and Argentina: "I would not like to live there." A caution against blaming others for inflation and recession is followed by an explanation of the role of Jews in Europe before World War I: "Compared to everyone else they were wealthy." A section of the book is devoted to disconnected miscellanea, out-of-context quotations, and a rather subjective list of resources. There are also advertisements for the author's writings, including a financial newsletter for $149. For economic principles, one should look instead to materials published by the Joint Council on Economic Education or Lerner's "Economics for Today" series. --Miriam Hansen, Indianhead Federated Lib . System, Eau Claire, WI
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Maybury's forte is explaining economics in an interesting, logical, and easy-to-understand manner no small achievement in economics pedagogy. Equally important, the economics in 'Whatever Happened to Penny Candy' makes such good sense. When government's economic policies make us say 'uncle,' let's hope it's 'Uncle Eric,' Maybury's letterwriter and alter ego." --John G. Murphy, Ph.D., President, National Schools Committee for Economic Education (commenting about the previous edition)

"This book is must reading for children of all ages. Its presentation of some of the fundamentals of economics is lucid, accurate, and above all highly readable." --Michael A. Walker, Executive Director, The Fraser Institute, British Columbia, Canada (commenting about the previous edition)

"This one slim volume can and should replace at least one full shelf of weighty tomes. There's really no excuse for being baffled by economic theory and economic theoreticians when you can spend an evening with this grand book and learn the ABC's of a subject about which the politicians, in particular, wish you'd stay illiterate." --Karl Hess, Author, "Capitalism for Kids" (commenting about the previous edition

"This book is must reading for children of all ages. Its presentation of some of the fundamentals of economics is lucid, accurate, and above all highly readable." --Michael A. Walker, Executive Director, The Fraser Institute, British Columbia, Canada (commenting about the previous edition)

"This one slim volume can and should replace at least one full shelf of weighty tomes. There's really no excuse for being baffled by economic theory and economic theoreticians when you can spend an evening with this grand book and learn the ABC's of a subject about which the politicians, in particular, wish you'd stay illiterate." --Karl Hess, Author, "Capitalism for Kids" (commenting about the previous edition

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: Bluestocking Pr; 5th edition (May 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0942617525
• ISBN-13: 978-0942617528
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Business & Money

More About the Author

Richard Maybury, also known as Uncle Eric, is a world renowned author, lecturer, and geopolitical analyst. He consults with business firms in the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Maybury is the former Global Affairs editor of "Moneyworld" and widely regarded as one of the finest free-market writers in America. Mr. Maybury's articles have appeared in "The Wall Street Journal", "USA Today", and other major publications. He has penned eleven books in the Uncle Eric series. His books have been endorsed by top business leaders, including former U.S. Treasury Secretary William Simon, and he has been interviewed on more than 250 radio and TV shows across America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What every American Needs to know, February 16, 2006

By 

P. Gelabert (New York, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? A Fast, Clear, and Fun Explanation of the Economics You Need For Success in Your Career, Business, and Investments (An Uncle Eric Book) (Paperback)

Absolutely marvelous and clearly explained! I am a science teacher certified to teach all the major science disciplines and have read many books concerning economics. This one trumps them all! Common sense is throughout.

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Number two in a nine book series that every student needs!, December 29, 2002

By 

J. P. Ledbetter "Jim Ledbetter Sr." (Ridgecrest, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? (Paperback)

I was hooked on Richard Maybury's series after reading "Are you Liberal or Conservative? Or Confused?" I immediately ordered the entire series and have not regretted it for an instant.

I began with number one and moved through them all in the correct order, or at least the recommended order by the author.

"Let's talk about Personal, Career and Financial Security" was the first and just wet the curiosity. It left you wanting to know more.

This book began the meat and potatoes of a series that is easy to read, written on an understandable level for everyone and enlightening to all concerning the many mysteries of historical, economic and governmental issues and interminglings that have to do with social, moral, political and so many other issues.

I would recommend this series as a Middle School Required reading text with in depth discussions and working groups for the youth of America to be better informed than they now are about the world and how it all works and fits together.

Mr. Maybury's elaboration of the various "Models" that people create for the world they try to live in was a very thought provoking exercise and explained a great deal about the great divide that currently separates the American consciousness.

Two down and still batting a thousand. Great job Mr. Maybury.

55 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be taught in school, March 25, 1999

By 

R. Wallace "Bob Wallace" (St. Louis, Mo USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?: A Fast, Clear and Fun Explanation of the Economics You Need for Success in Your Career, Business and Investments (Maybury, Rick. "Uncle Eric" Book.) (Paperback)

After having suffered through four college econ courses (Principles and Intermediate) I have come to the conclusion that most professional economists are nearly worthless ivory-tower eggheads whose theories are almost completely disconnected from the real world, and that "Ph.d" truly does mean "Piles high and deep." It is truly a shame that a reader can learn more from this marvelous little book than from getting a degree in economics. This book should be taught starting in junior high. It's clearly and simply written and very few of the concepts require a great deal of thought. After understanding it, you'll trust your own judgement over the babblers on tv and in the universities.