The Cartoon Introduction to Economics, Volume II: Macroeconomics Paperback – December 20, 2011

I haven't bought, or read, the book number one about micro economic, so I can't compare these two books. But I find this book to be fine to persons wanting to reread the standard introduction to macro economic in a more refreshing way, opposite to these for many person very dry normal books concerning economic.The title I here choose to use are taken from one of J. K. Galbraiths many books, and which I find fine in relation to what we especially have seen in trough the past years, and also when reading the text, and seeing the drawings, in the actual strip cartoon "Macroeconomics". And for me I especially get to the laughter when I come to many of the drawings reminding us about persons that once got the Nobel prices when most or their colleges thought had they had stated the final result concerning their part of the economic. As for example when we on the side 155 are being reminded that not many years ago Robert Lucas told us, "proved", that the depression was a thing of the past! And we by his side are having the king jumping around and shouting: "Congratulation you win the Nobel Prize". Or for example on side 132 concerning Muhammad Yunus and his solution used in Bangladesh!The book is also good in reminding us about a few points in the old World history, among other that China back in the 14 century then was the richest country in the World. A detail which is forgotten in most of the economic education books (I now owe 300 economic books and started with the economic reading, as a child, back in the year 1960). But I find it to be a very big shame that we by a drawing on side 112 only are getting the writing: "Have you noticed that the neighbors force their children to tend the owens 18 hours a day". Normally no person newer even have heard the name Robert Owen, on which there here are thinking. That is the Robert Owen from back in 1771 - 1858, and with the New Lanark, later a state in USA, kinder garden, inspiring Karl Marx and many other persons, and much more. That is a person who resulted in more changes in the World history than for example any of those who later won Nobel Prices. So there ought to have been a figure drawing with the complete name and years, or at lest just beside a (Robert Owen, 1771 - 1858), which would have made some persons interested in finding out more.The glossary back in the cartoon are good by there giving some extra mathematical explanation to person just started reading economic.To me the writing in this strip cartoon looks to be very neutral, but maybe I in the universities have been indoctrinated too much to thinking the Keynes way. But if we in the book are missing at solution of what to do in the future we among other have Karl Marx who, if he could, would rotate in his grave when saying: "See; now again we are seeing some of the economic problems which I predicted in my books". That is for example in relation to competition by lowering the salary, but now by moving the production to other countries.But else, in Denmark we once had a person, using the nick name Storm P, who in the past century once said: "It's hard to foretell, especially about the future!". This is that we out there, without doubt, one place or the other, are having printed down the right solution for solving our actual economic problems, but the problem is, which one?

I read this book after reading and enjoying the Microeconomics volume. I found this one to be just as entertaining and informative.One major surprise to me is how this macro book discusses development, trade, poverty and the environment. I think of these as micro topics, but they seem do just fine here.The book is organized into three parts: A single economy (unemployment, money, inflation, gdp and government), international trade (trade & technology, class view of trade, complications, foreign aid and foreign currencies) and global macro (business cycles, poverty, environment and aging). I found the organization to be intuitive and the discussions well-balanced and thorough.I think these books are really great for combining words with illustrations (and humor), as they reinforce each other to help get the point across.Bottom line: If you're interested in economics but have fears (or bad memories) of too much math and obscure language, then read these books! I give this one FIVE STARS for making macro great again!

This is a wonderful and humorous introduction to macroeconomics! I bought while waiting for a train in Frankfurt at the bookstore in that station (no idea, why they thought it a good idea to put copies of that book next to the cash register --- but that's how I found it!), read it in full riding a train to Berlin (rather than some other things I was really supposed to read) and chuckled all the way! It contains a surprising amount of valuable information, it is a surprisingly complete and balanced introduction, it is fun to read and excellent value for the price. I love the little cartoons when they describe tongue-in-cheek, how many fundamental ideas in macroeconomics received a Nobel prize (or perhaps led to frustration of the Nobel committee eventually). Fact #3 on p. 98, that "technological progress and trade are essentially indistinguishable" is perhaps a bit odd, but overall, this is well written and a terrific read. This should be required reading in schools, for journalists and politicians, and it is an excellent quick-guide intro for anyone embarking on learning all the details in earnest. I recommend it highly. I liked it so much, I bought an extra copy from Amazon as a present. Harald Uhlig, Dept. of Econ., Univ. of Chicago.

The content seems great, but my expectations were for a presentation more like a graphic novel. I thought I could give it to my 12 year old daughter who is starting to show interest in economic concepts, but I don't think I can just yet. Also, the graphics are kind of blurry, almost like they are copies and not printed as a typical book.