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Free Lunch: Easily Digestible Economics
 
 

Free Lunch: Easily Digestible Economics [Kindle Edition]

David Smith
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)

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Review

"* Once again David Smith has demonstrated his talent for opening up the world of economics and finance to a general audience * David Smith skilfully cuts through the mind-numbing waffle that surrounds much of modern economics, delivering a highly accessible guide to a subject that many claim to understand but very few do."

Jeff Randal, BBC Business Editor

David Smith delivers a highly accessible guide to a subject that many claim to understand but very few do.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By tdsfox
Format:Paperback
This highly informative and interesting book is presented in an original and 'easily digestible' format, suitable for all readers. Smith manages to cover most, if not all, of the economic issues concerning us today, in a concise 282 pages. I was particularly impressed with the references to economic history and the incorporation of so many of the 'big names' in economics - both new and old.

For those new to economics, perhaps one of the most refreshing features about the book is that it contains no diagrams and just two simple equations - which is very unusual for a contemporary book on economics. As an undergraduate studying economics, I cannot help think that a diagram in one or two places would have clarified the explanation - however, this may have over-complicated things for the general audience, and I think Smith was right to leave the book diagram free.

Even as a student, who supposedly should know a fair bit about economics, I found the book highly informative, clarifying issues that I am studying at the moment and touching on new topics that I have not yet encountered. To my surprise the book focused on various aspects of current economic theory in a clear and concise manner that will no doubt help me in my studies.

'Free Lunch' contains a wealth of general economic knowledge presented in a highly accessible and often witty writing style. I would therefore recommend this book as an excellent introduction to economics.

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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Jeremy Williams TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Economics is one of those things I've always thought I ought to know more about, but all previous attempts to educate myself have ended in either confusion or terminal boredom. Well done then, to David Smith and his Free Lunch, for rendering the subject both understandable and engaging. Smith introduces all the basic ideas and the big names in this whistlestop tour of economic theory. By the end you'll be familiar with Adam Smith, Karl Marx and John Maynard Keynes, you'll be able to wax intelligent over the dinner table about interest rates, and you'll have heard some interesting anecdotes along the way.

I personally found it very useful in drawing out all the connections between consumer spending, tax, interest rates, and how they all impact each other in the mysterious machine known as 'the economy'. Those wanting deeper analysis will want to look elsewhere, but if you're only going to read one book on economics in your life (and let's face it, for most of us one is plenty), this is what you require.
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
David Smith, Economic Editor of The Sunday Times, has presented an excellent and digestible introduction to economics in his new book, Free Lunch, Easy digestible Economics. Smith provides a good general overview of key economic concepts, an examination of current economic issues and an introduction to key economic thought of the last two hundred years. Smith includes topics such as whether Britain should change to the Euro currency, why some countries are designed to remain in poverty, and how British monetary policy has evolved over the last twenty-five years. Best of all, Smith uses only one simple equation and does not offer a single complicated mathematical example.

The book is set out as a meal plan with appetizers, a main course, desserts, coffee and guest speakers. Guest speakers include many well-known economists such as Carl Marx, Adam Smith, and Maynard Keynes, but the contributions of some less famous economists such as Ricardo are also examined. Smith also provides further details of economic web sites worth visiting and a book list for the interested reader wishing to learn more about economics.

All in all, the book is a fantastic introduction to economics, giving the necessary information to understand the way in which our countries are run and our personal finances are controlled.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good intro
This was a quick and entertaining read. Didn't require any previous knowledge. Didn't have to read every page twice to understand it. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Claybrooke
Disappointing and out of date
I must admit that I didn't get past Chapter 4. The author clings to an idea of the book as a meal with individual courses which limps along at best and irritates in the extreme at... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Lady Jo
A good guide to fundamental economic principles
This book manages to do its main job: it provides a beginners' guide to economics that pares everything down to its most simple form. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ian Shine
Free Lunch: which it should be, as it's well past its sell-by date
An interesting idea that doesn't quite work: too much information for someone entirely new to economics and too little original or provocative thinking for those with a few meals... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Stephen B. Peddie
A taster of Economics
The way that Smith writes this book made me wish that i had read this book before i had started college (I had read this book in my second year). Read more
Published 15 months ago by Jammy
Decent
This is a well written and easy to understand introduction to basic economics.

It largely avoids ideology and is generally free from bias. I would recommend it.
Published 17 months ago by The Emperor
Great read
A well written book for those who would like to know more about economics but not sure where to start.
Published on 4 April 2010 by Ms. J. Harpin
Nice introduction
Nice book for those new to economics.
It gives an overview of the field, presenting some its most influential names and theories throughout history, with (almost) no... Read more
Published on 17 July 2009 by J. Felix
My partner loved this book
My partner is very much into economics. He said this book was very true to current life and living and is not full of rubbish opinions. Read more
Published on 3 July 2009 by 3 men and a female
Easily digestible
I bought this book as I had picked some supply lecturing work and part of the course I was teaching was economics. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2009 by Zorba
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Popular Highlights

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&quote;
Markets tend towards equilibrium, towards the balancing of supply and demand. Remember that and you are well on your way to understanding market economics. &quote;
Highlighted by 12 Kindle users
&quote;
firstly, that whereas the higher the price, the lower in general the demand, the opposite is the case for supply. The second is that prices are determined by the interaction of supply and demand. &quote;
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&quote;
Sharply rising interest rates will tend to be associated with a weakening of housing demand, and vice versa when rates are falling. &quote;
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