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Economics: A Complete Introduction
Designed specially for undergraduates, Economics: A Complete Introduction includes features such as questions that may come up in exams, quotes from leading theorists that students can use in their essays, and case studies providing real-life examples
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 13, 2013
So, back in July, I realized that I am woefully undereducated in, like, EVERYTHING. Everything. Due to a confluence of personal interests, though, economics took centre stage. Fair enough: considering the state of the world -- and the dependence of it on economic principles/actions -- it's probably about time everyone had some idea of what 'Pareto efficiency' or 'opportunity cost' means.
Alright. So off I go to the Economics/Business section of the bookstore, hoping to find something that will teach me what the actual economic hell is going on. I was going in with no economics-specific knowledge (until reading this book, it'd always baffled me why governments just don't PRINT MORE MONEY?? Isn't it all imaginary anyway?), so I picked this one because it seemed fairly user-friendly: designed for an undergraduate-level introduction, lots of charts and diagrams, solid section splitting.
Well, welcome to one of the most convoluted books you'll ever read. I don't think it's because economics is a convoluted discipline -- to be fair, I do feel somewhat more economically-educated after reading it. But, much as Coskeran enjoys putting down the arts and humanities, my goodness: wouldn't he benefit from a writing course! Whoever edited this book needs to learn how to use a comma. Endless sentences rife with jargon? No, thank you; it verges on incomprehensible. Come on, man: I'm not stupid, just uninformed -- and I had a terrible time trying to parse half the statements in this book. Plus, the quizzes at the end of each chapter would only be helpful if they tested material actually covered in the previous chapter. Asking the definition of a word first mentioned 20 pages later? NOT HELPFUL.
Two other significant problems.
1) I get that it's an introduction to both micro and macroeconomics, and that's a lot of territory to cover. You can't explain every single detail; Coskeran admits this himself in the conclusion. But then little gems like this pop up (when discussing the benefits of the 'fixed exchange' euro):
"On the plus side...it is easier to observe price differences between countries; it encourages competition and trade; it encourages closer economic ties between EU countries; and, many still hope, reduces Germany's economic power" (300).
Uh...
WHAT?!
Sorry, bud, you're gonna need to give a LITTLE MORE CONTEXT HERE. I'm sure there are actual reasons why people hope Germany stays powerless, but for the uninformed such as myself (the people for whom you are writing the book!!), it kinda looks like you're harping on wars that happened 50 years ago...no? Say what you want, but back it up. This happens throughout the book: statements are tossed off without any justification or explanation, and for anyone who expects such -- prepare to be frustrated (and disappointed).
2) Coskeran is a capitalist to the core, and it's annoying. His ideas on humanity are inaccurate and dangerous. When he spews something like this, re: globalization: "That said, of course, if people want diversity, the market could provide it" (312).
Oh, of course, good sir. Because all humans know exactly what is best for them in the long run and never act on the immediate wants you spent TWO CHAPTERS DISCUSSING. They are never influenced by big business and marketing campaigns, and they are certainly all critical, judicious individuals.
For fuck's sake.
I started this book thinking I maybe had wasted time on my Lit degree. Ended it itching for a pen to edit the hell out of this manuscript.
Interested in economics? Me too. No idea where to start? Don't waste your time on this. Find something better written, better constructed, and less biased -- and then recommend it to me, too!
Alright. So off I go to the Economics/Business section of the bookstore, hoping to find something that will teach me what the actual economic hell is going on. I was going in with no economics-specific knowledge (until reading this book, it'd always baffled me why governments just don't PRINT MORE MONEY?? Isn't it all imaginary anyway?), so I picked this one because it seemed fairly user-friendly: designed for an undergraduate-level introduction, lots of charts and diagrams, solid section splitting.
Well, welcome to one of the most convoluted books you'll ever read. I don't think it's because economics is a convoluted discipline -- to be fair, I do feel somewhat more economically-educated after reading it. But, much as Coskeran enjoys putting down the arts and humanities, my goodness: wouldn't he benefit from a writing course! Whoever edited this book needs to learn how to use a comma. Endless sentences rife with jargon? No, thank you; it verges on incomprehensible. Come on, man: I'm not stupid, just uninformed -- and I had a terrible time trying to parse half the statements in this book. Plus, the quizzes at the end of each chapter would only be helpful if they tested material actually covered in the previous chapter. Asking the definition of a word first mentioned 20 pages later? NOT HELPFUL.
Two other significant problems.
1) I get that it's an introduction to both micro and macroeconomics, and that's a lot of territory to cover. You can't explain every single detail; Coskeran admits this himself in the conclusion. But then little gems like this pop up (when discussing the benefits of the 'fixed exchange' euro):
"On the plus side...it is easier to observe price differences between countries; it encourages competition and trade; it encourages closer economic ties between EU countries; and, many still hope, reduces Germany's economic power" (300).
Uh...
WHAT?!
Sorry, bud, you're gonna need to give a LITTLE MORE CONTEXT HERE. I'm sure there are actual reasons why people hope Germany stays powerless, but for the uninformed such as myself (the people for whom you are writing the book!!), it kinda looks like you're harping on wars that happened 50 years ago...no? Say what you want, but back it up. This happens throughout the book: statements are tossed off without any justification or explanation, and for anyone who expects such -- prepare to be frustrated (and disappointed).
2) Coskeran is a capitalist to the core, and it's annoying. His ideas on humanity are inaccurate and dangerous. When he spews something like this, re: globalization: "That said, of course, if people want diversity, the market could provide it" (312).
Oh, of course, good sir. Because all humans know exactly what is best for them in the long run and never act on the immediate wants you spent TWO CHAPTERS DISCUSSING. They are never influenced by big business and marketing campaigns, and they are certainly all critical, judicious individuals.
For fuck's sake.
I started this book thinking I maybe had wasted time on my Lit degree. Ended it itching for a pen to edit the hell out of this manuscript.
Interested in economics? Me too. No idea where to start? Don't waste your time on this. Find something better written, better constructed, and less biased -- and then recommend it to me, too!
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April 13, 2022Currently reading
February 21, 2014
A good introductory book to economics. Concept and theories are briefly but sufficiently and clearly explained without going into too much depth that may drive the interest of readers away. Basic maths, graphs/diagrams and numerical data tables are used for illustration purpose. Served as a good introduction for people without background in economics to grasp the important concepts in microeconomics and macroeconomics.
May 6, 2014
A solid introduction into the basic workings of the dismal science. Of the three or four such guides I've read, I'd recommend this one for beginner to intermediate economists.
May 31, 2017
Competent teach yourself book which I used as a refresher, and to bring myself up to date with some technical language.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews