Common Cents: How the Economy Really Works, from the Global Market to the Supermarket

by Nancy J. Kimelman

Common Cents gives average Americans the fundamental knowledge they need to make smart decisions on family finances, investments, jobs, even health care and outsourcing. It brings into focus the hot-button economic, social, and political issues that dominate the front pages of newspapers?especially during this election season. You won't find get-rich-quick schemes or insider tips on the stock market here; instead, Dr. Nancy J. Kimelman addresses the most pressing questions of our time (such as oil and immigration) and shows you how to raise your economic IQ so you can enjoy a more comfortable, assured, and intelligent life. With her guidance, you'll argue better, vote better, and?with your newfound financial security?even sleep better.

Genres: Nonfiction

274 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2008

Reviews

[Kiridaren Jayakumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on introduction of economics term and jargons, useful book to those who are learning on economics step-by-step.

[Keith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't particularly care for this book. It was not written all that well, and for some bizarre reason the author decided to try to write the entire thing without any graphs or pictures of any sort. The ostensible reason for this was to make it "easier" since oh, I don't know, graphs are so hard to understand or something like that. But then she spent all this time explaining with dense prose what a graph would have shown rather simply.

[Neliza Drew · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author of this obviously thinks the reader is dumber than the average shopping cart. I didn't appreciate being talked down to. I also didn't like the propaganda or the notion that it's either rampant capitalism or dictatorial communism -- am I supposed to believe that's it?

[David Petersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book to be OK. 3.5 stars. It is written by an Economist and it is basically about how Capitalism works. The book was written in the early 2000's so lots of the examples are outdated. I enjoyed the book but I don't plan on reading it again.

[Audrey Saltarelli · Rating 1 out of 5]

The way she writes is insulting to the reader's intelligence. She makes subtle jabs at other nationalities all through out the book. And she mentions that she has a phd about 20 times. It makes it seem like it is her only qualification.

[Mae Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taught me more than that nasty Samuelson and Nordhaus textbook