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)

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

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Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: Bluestocking Pr; 5th edition (May 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0942617525
• ISBN-13: 978-0942617528
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,102 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 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)

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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.

44 of 52 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 (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (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.

16 of 17 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)

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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.