KEY BENEFIT: This book is well known for its coverage of modern topics (Game theory, Economics of Information, and Behavioral Economics), clarity of its writing style and graphs, and integrated use of real world examples.

KEY TOPICS: The emphasis on relevance and application to both managerial and public-policy decision-making are focused goals of the book. This emphasis is accomplished by including MANY extended examples that cover such topics as the analysis of demand, cost, and market efficiency; the design of pricing strategies; investment and production decisions; and public policy analysis.

Economists and strategists looking to stay current with economic information.

Second, even though I've had extensive economics background, the book could be suitable for beginners. The first two chapters give a concise overview of a basic Econ 1 course, explaining the basics of supply and demand, market structure, etc. - everything a person with little economics background needs to know to be able to understand this book. However, if you find this book to simple for you, keep in mind that Prentice Hall publishes it as "Intermediate Economics" - for use in 2nd or 3rd year in an undergraduate economics program.

Unlike many other econ textbooks I've encountered, this book is neither math-heavy nor theory-heavy - it has a good balance of theoretical information coupled with enough mathematical examples to get the message across. However, many students (and some reviewers on this website) find that there aren't enough examples and exercises (with answers) in the book - for that I'd HIGHLY recommend getting the Student Study Guide. It quickly summarizes each chapter (good for emergency test/quiz studying) and provides plenty of sample problems as it summarizes the concepts. It also includes a quick chapter quiz and gives the solutions to all problems found in the Study Guide.

Also unlike most outdated econ textbooks today, this one includes excellent chapters on Game Theory and pricing strategies. I've heard from a few business majors here at Berkeley that they're encouraged to read those two chapters as good examples of how these concepts apply to business and economics. The book features many "Sample Boxes" - small paragraphs on how the current topic of discussion has been applied in the real world. This helps understand that economics is a real science (in a sense that it can produce theories that are testable in the real world) and has some useful applications.

Overall, this is a very good economics textbook for intermediate microeconomics. The book alone deserves 4 stars, but coupled with the study guide, it's definitely a 5.


Product Note about the Package Edition   March 18, 2000
 18 out of 18 found this review helpful

Just for those who might be wondering, the package edition includes the hardcover textbook as well as the corresponding workbook. Since the description does not make this clear, I thought I would mention it, since this is quite a bargain if you're buying both anyway.


Its clearly written, however laughable as an inter. Text   January 26, 2004
 15 out of 18 found this review helpful

The book is clearly written, however, I found that it is to simple and somewhat weak as a intermediate level text. I agree with most of the other comments that it would be more suitable as an entry level Economics text. This book would probably be better suited for students who are buisness or non-economics majors taking the intermediate course.


A Beginner's Text...   November 16, 1998
 13 out of 17 found this review helpful

Although billed as a text "suitable for students with a broad range of backgrounds," as an intermediate student using it this semester in a graduate public policy program core class, I've found this book of little value. Topics are rarely covered in depth (e.g., utility effects of taxation and subsidies are consigned to roughly two pages), examples, though clearly explained, are rather basic -- mathematical formulas are scarce and calculus is nonexistent -- and the graphs are less descriptive relative to other intermediate texts. (If you've used either of Nicholson's texts, this one is certain to disappoint in comparison.) In short, beginners may benefit; others should not waste their money.


A good book for intermediate level students   February 1, 2004
 12 out of 14 found this review helpful

Organization of the books is good. Topics are discussed with enough clarity and each topic comes with lots of graphs and illustrations (which I think are a great help at that level). The level of algebra and math is at an intermediate undergraduate level (economics major). I think it is a complete book for anybody who wants to have an understanding of microeconomics. I am a Ph.D. student of economics now and if I am going to teach an undergrad micro course, I will certainly choose this textbook.