The Instant Economist: All the Basic Principles of Economics in 100 Pages of Plain Talk

by John Charles Pool and Ross M. Laroe

Book Overview

The Instant Economist will give you the basic information every manager needs to survive the economic challenges of modern business. You'll find more theory in fewer pages than you would have thought possible--interest rates and inflation, opportunity costs and the cost of living, prices and profits, debts and deficits--all the confusing and crucial ideas you never quite learned, summarized in easy-to-understand, impossible-to-forget images...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201168839
• ISBN13: 9780201168839
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Horrible

Based on theory. Bias and puts you in a box. Watch out big brother is controlling everything.

Simplfies and enlightens

I had two undergrad courses in Econ and one in accounting. This book is the one that finally made it all click. It gives you the rock solid pillars that will help you laugh at the folks on CNBC that think they understand, but really don't get it. If you are in an econ course or if you earn a paycheck, you must read this book. It is the one book that I have built all of my econ understanding. This isn't just a simple list of principles or a "cliff's notes" for economics. This is the book that will give you the foundation to understand and employ economics in your daily life. It changed the way I see the world and how politics and money factor into every interaction. Outstanding book and an amazing value.

conceptual, without the math

I've never had an economics class, and don't have the patience to wade through a textbook. So, for me this book is perfect. Basic concepts are presented without any math. It explains how these concepts are related, and how changing one variable changes another. It gives me just enough knowledge to read a business journal, or discuss some topic at a party. I have to reread it sometimes, because I forget -- but I can do that in a couple of hours, with the clear and simple way it's written. It strikes me as simple, without sacrificing substance.

An Instant Choice

The Instant Economist manages to explain the basics of economics in simple language that enables you to retain much of the information you read. I strongly recommend it for people of all fields interested in the principles behind economics, which can at times seem complex and overly-technical.

Excellent non-technical refresher

This is a great re-introduction to micro- and macro-economics which avoids the math and jargon, but focuses on the underlying concepts. The Instant Economist would be an excellent refresher for an incoming MBA student because of its practical application of economics to business.

A great introduction to macro/microeconomics!

This book is an easy-to-read introduction to fundamental macro, micro, and international economic theory. The reason the book is so effective is that it is written in dialogue; the "plot" involves a budding manager talking to his father's former college economics professor. By telling otherwise dull theory in a story form, the author effectively enlightens the reader on important economic theory.This would be a great book to read prior to taking a macroeconomics or microeconomics class!