International Economics with Xtra!

Rating:
Summary: Not the best for undergrad international economics
Review: As an instructor teaching an undergrad international economics, I used this textbook as designated reading for the class. There are several merits about this textbook: simplicity, tons of real-world examples, and plain description. Unfortunately, there are several disadvantages about this book that I can't stand:
1. Typos, there are many typos in this 9e. Some of them were even correctly printed on 8e.
2. Lack of econ models: I can see how difficult it is to write a realworld-oriented international econ textbook with more intuition and less intimidating math models. But what makes Economics different from other social science is the powerful models that give us insights and perspectives. Sometimes it is easier to understand the complicated international economics with some simple models. I don't think Carbaugh did a good job offering econ models at where we need most, especially in the balance of payment and government policies part. I can accept simple, intuitive explanation, but I cannot accept oversimplification.
3. Redundancy:
Carbaugh spend major part of the textbook talking about international trade but not enough on international finance. There are several topics in international trade that can be combined and some topics in international finance that can be elaborated more. But I think this is author's choice.

In conclusion, I think this is a good book if you want to have a general idea about international economics. But I won't recommend it for using in class simply becuase it raises more questions than it explains.


Rating:
Summary: Fantastic! Easy to read, even for non-econ. people...
Review: First of, I must confess that I am prejudiced about this book, because the author, honorable Dr. Robert Carbaugh, was my economics Professor at the University. But, seriously now, I was not an economics major and I also was not a very good student, meaning I missed far too many classes...But, whenever I sat down to read the book, it was very easy to catch up with the rest of the class. In fact, even if you are not a student at all, but just interested in the basics of international economics, you would still find this book very useful. I took four other economics classes and all of them were boring, mainly because of the teachers' inability to teach well. This book, however, is a reflection of a good-natured, quick witted, and highly intelligent economist, who TEACHES REAL STUFF EVERY DAY to the average university students and manages to keep their attention. It's a hell of a job to do that HERE, I tell you!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic! Easy to read, even for non-econ. people...
Review: First of, I must confess that I am prejudiced about this book, because the author, honorable Dr. Robert Carbaugh, was my economics Professor at the University. But, seriously now, I was not an economics major and I also was not a very good student, meaning I missed far too many classes...But, whenever I sat down to read the book, it was very easy to catch up with the rest of the class. In fact, even if you are not a student at all, but just interested in the basics of international economics, you would still find this book very useful. I took four other economics classes and all of them were boring, mainly because of the teachers' inability to teach well. This book, however, is a reflection of a good-natured, quick witted, and highly intelligent economist, who TEACHES REAL STUFF EVERY DAY to the average university students and manages to keep their attention. It's a hell of a job to do that HERE, I tell you!

Rating:
Summary: book is simple
Review: Hi, I am a Grad Student. I have gone through this book. Looks nice & simple. But I suggest he(Author) could have given some more examples for this writings. Thanks. Yours truly, Praveen Kumar

Rating:
Summary: book is simple
Review: Hi, I am a Grad Student. I have gone through this book. Looks nice & simple. But I suggest he(Author) could have given some more examples for this writings. Thanks. Yours truly, Praveen Kumar

Rating:
Summary: Clarity of writing makes topic accessible
Review: I had Dr Carbaugh as a student at UW Eau Claire, and enjoyed the clarity of his lectures. His book is nearly as good. My (first) edition is still worth consulting when I have the opportunity to teach econ.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book, profound observations
Review: This book gave me a really deep understanding of international economics, markets and macroeconomics. However, material in this book requires knowledge of some economics basics