Economics

Rating:
Summary: Avoid at all costs
Review: As an introductory economics text, this one is absolutely terrible. The much touted "conversational" writing style is actually a poor imitation of teenage slang and substantially devalues the subject matter. Somewhat paradoxically, the depth and breadth of subject matter is most appropriate for very advanced students -- the students most likely find the writing style ridiculous. The author attempts to augment the usual AD-AS analysis to account for some endogeniety, but economists tell so many lies with AD-AS analysis that it is absurd to introduce additional confusing notation to address an issue that doesn't materially affect issues such as the efficacy of monetary and fiscal policy. Finally, readers should be appalled that publishers/authors submit thinly veiled sales pitches as reviews (see, for example, the first review for this text). Get your students something useful, written and reviewed by distinguised economists, such as Baumol and Blinder.

Rating:
Summary: in response to the negative review
Review: In response the previous negative review of Colander's book, I must say the text is one of my favorite texts of a long academic journey. I have an MBA (where I first used the Colander text as a refresher) and am completing an MA in Econ this semester and have often referred to the earlier edition that I own.

As one advances in economics, it may prove beneficial from time to time to go back to the basics, which is what this text is - an introduction to eocnomic reasoning utilizing an unbiased treatment of differing and competing economic theories. There is simply no way any professional economist would call this text advanced! While Colander may address a broad scope of subjects within the field of economics, he does so in a manner consistent with an introductory treatment. One does not even have to use math if preferred.

His conversational style may not be for everyone, but it worked well for me. It's not often that I have laughed out loud reading an Econ text, but I did with this book. I found it to be a refreshing and entertaining treatment of an otherwise dry subject. By the way, I have no affiliation to the publisher or author, which was a concern of the previous negative reviewer. For anyone considering the purchase, or even classroom use of this text, I'd be happy to provide more detail as to why I appreciate Colander's text - just e-mail me at [e-mail]. In the end, the highest praise I can give any textbook author is to say that it fostered a desire to learn more about that subject. I am a graduate student in Econ today thanks to Colander's text and the professor who steered my toward reading it.

Rating:
Summary: Good Economics book
Review: This book was great for my introductory economics course. It would be helpful for anyone interesting in learning more about this important topic.