I can't say that I know much about economics—I keep up with economic news, but I've never taken a course on the subject.

However, at least as a layman, Krugman's arguments about how we got here and how to get out are right on target. It's clear that the main problems in the economy are caused by insufficient demand, and that the government is the only entity large enough to create the demand necessary to get the ball moving again. Saying that now, of all times, is the time to start talking about reigning in deficits is absurd.

My one quibble is that I saw a couple very obvious errors, like citing 1939 as the attack on Pearl Harbor, or saying the bank run in "It's A Wonderful Life" occurs after World War II. But these are errors in writing and editing, and do little to hurt Krugman's credibility in the matter at hand.

The book is brief, and overall if you are an interested and well-informed layman you should find it readable and informative. Stimulus creates demand and creates jobs; firing government employees to balance budgets does not. It actually is that simple.