Principles of Macroeconomics

by Robert H. Frank, Ben S. Bernanke, Lars Osberg

The active learning approach of Frank & Bernanke promotes learning through the use of vivid examples, clear, concise explanations, and in-text exercises with solutions. In particular, F&B's worked examples combined with the parallel exercises are a critical element in this approach. The examples stimulate interest and reinforce learning?learning by doing, which means that the students are 'actively learning' and the effect of this is that the learning is 'long lasting.'

The Economic Naturalists are a distinguishing feature of the text and provide current, real-world examples which help students to understand the relevance of economics to their world.

The text is concise and focuses on core principles?which do most of the work in economics?and by concentrating on these principles, students will leave the course with a solid understanding of economics which will be valuable in their lives and future careers.

ACCESS TO CONNECT IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE PURCHASE OF A COURSESMART TITLE. TO RECEIVE CONNECT WITH EBOOK visit http://www.mcgrawhill.ca/he/estore/

Genres: Economics, Business, Textbooks, Reference, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Robert H. Frank is the Henrietta Johnson Louis Professor of Management and a Professor of Economics at Cornell University's S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management. He contributes to the "Economic View" column, which appears every fifth Sunday in The New York Times.

Reviews

[Max Lybbert]

I wasn't required to take macroeconomics in school. Every introductory macroeconomics textbook that I looked at claimed to focus on the fundamentals and to be entertaining enough that curious adults could read them even without taking a course at the local college. Since I haven't read those other books, I can't say whether they deliver on their promise, but I can vouch for this book. It actually does focus on the fundamentals, and points out how those fundamentals fit together, and is engaging and entertaining enough to read even without a professor threatening dire consequences if you slack off.

I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in learning more about the economy. This book is good enough that I'm planning to read Bernanke's intermediate economics textbook soon as well.

However, I'll admit that one reason I chose this book over the competition was that Bernanke was a co-author, and I hoped to get some insight into how he runs the Federal Reserve (I chose the book because of Bernanke, I chose this edition because it was significantly cheaper than the newer editions of the same book). The preface includes a note that as Bernanke's moved up through the ranks of the Federal Reserve he's taken a diminishing role in revising this book. He's correct to do so, and it's correct to keep his name on the cover (his work apparently does still make up a good portion of the text), but it's something to be aware of if you're expecting to get a peek behind the curtain the way I had expected. Even so, this is a great book.

[Julie Shuff]

I took macroeconomic theory a second time now that I am done with undergrad, and I thought the examples and theories presented in the book were interesting and relevant to current events and debates. However, the book clearly takes a more conservative viewpoint and glosses over many of the challenges facing our society. Overall though it was clear and concise. I did well in the class, but the CONNECT homework questions were a nightmare I had to struggle through. I found multiple mistakes and the questions were worded very unclearly. It makes the assignments take much longer than they need to. I probably wouldn't have succeeded in the class without reading every chapter page by page.

[Shannon]

So I didn't realize until THIS MOMENT that Ben freaking Bernanke was the editor of my textbook. I didn't understand it at all. Lowest grade of my college career, and I was frankly lucky to even pass.

[Ben]

I read selections of this textbook for EC 202: Introduction to Macroeconomics. The textbook had an odd layout at times but the material was straightforward and easy to understand.

[Kathy]

Helpful for my online macroecon class.

[robert]

really good for beginners in econs and love the frequent use of ‘she’ instead of ‘he’ as generic pronouns for examples :)