'There's no such thing as a free lunch' is the one phrase everyone has heard from economics. But why not? Never? What does economics tell us about the price of lunch - and everything else in the world? This is the perfect introduction to economics. It is not some dreary textbook, but an explanation of how economics works and how it can help to solve all sorts of interesting problems. Written for the lay reader, this book makes the economics pages of the newspaper intelligible, the financial pages interesting and answers questions all of us worry about, like how can house prices carry on rising so much? Is there no limit to the increase in their prices? Set out like a good lunch-time conversation, the book follows the course of a meal, with starters (the introduction), main course and then the discussion which one always has at the end of a good meal. And along the way there are a few guest speakers (Adam Smith, Karl Marx and John Maynard Keynes) who make appearances to enliven the meal and entertain and inform us, the diners. This is a clever, completely original and witty introduction to economics. It costs less than even the cheapest meal and is far more satisfying than even the most gourmet banquet.
Free Lunch: Easily Digestible Economics
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David Smith delivers a highly accessible guide to a subject that many claim to understand but very few do. -- Jeff Randal, BBC Business Editor
Once again David Smith has demonstrated his talent for opening up the world of economics and finance to a general audience. -- Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer
This book is a good read. It is well written and in a few hours someone who didn't know much about economics could learn a great deal. -- Management Today, January 2003
Those of you looking for an entertaining and stimulating gift should look no further than this excellent new book..it's worth every penny. -- City Diary, Finance Pages - The Guardian
Once again David Smith has demonstrated his talent for opening up the world of economics and finance to a general audience. -- Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer
This book is a good read. It is well written and in a few hours someone who didn't know much about economics could learn a great deal. -- Management Today, January 2003
Those of you looking for an entertaining and stimulating gift should look no further than this excellent new book..it's worth every penny. -- City Diary, Finance Pages - The Guardian
Book Description
Updated with a filling course on the credit crunch, this digestible guide to economics, organised like a convivial meal with friends, will lead you through many of the mysteries of the economy.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 49 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.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
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.
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.
26 of 27 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
3.0 out of 5 stars
Odd mix
A slightly odd mix of very basic stuff, with occasional dashes of more complicated economic theory, and a not much in between. Is this for the layman or for students of economics? Read more
Published 26 days ago by Phil O'Sofa
4.0 out of 5 stars
Does what it says on the tin
Big follower of David Smith, his positive, optimistically realistic approach is reflected in this book which strips the smoke and mirrors of Economics and presents it in an easily... Read more
Published 8 months ago by James Pogson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really hooked me!
I ordered this book a couple of weeks ago because I have a a few weeks spare, and thought I'd use them to become more financially literate. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Christopher Starbuck
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great introduction to Economics
David Smith combines a history of Economics and an explanation of the basic concepts of Economic theory to the reader in a really informal way. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Habeeb
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, mathematics-free introduction to economics
I don't really have any serious academic interest in economics, but I've recently started to read around the subject because I'd like to bee able to understand the present (IE July... Read more
Published 10 months ago by S
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 17 months ago by Claybrooke
1.0 out of 5 stars
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 21 months ago by Lady Jo
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 23 months ago by Ian Shine
2.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 8 May 2011 by Stephen B. Peddie
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 6 Feb 2011 by Jammy
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