Economics is a huge topic but there are some books that can provide a good overview of the subject. These are particularly useful for those who know little about the intricacies of economics and just want to increase their knowledge, or for students looking for a general text. Economics is something that affects every human on the planet and the following books are a good way to find out more about the subject.
Economics in One Lesson: The Shortest and Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics by Henry Hazlitt (1988)
This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn a little about economics. There is no need to have any previous knowledge on the subject as it starts from the basis that you have never studied the subject. The chapters are short and easy to read and overall this book is a pleasurable read — you should feel that you have learnt a lot by the time you reach the end of the book. The object of this book is to make complicated issues appear a lot more simple — it manages to do this well.
Economics by Campbell McConnell, Stanley Brue, and Sean Flynn 18th Edition (2008)
The fact that this book is now in its 18th edition will give some idea about the number of people who have benefited from it. This book is frequently used by students and is ideal as a reference book. The book covers both microeconomics and macroeconomics and readers should be able to get a good overview of both subjects. The book is packed with images and graphs to make the ideas contained within easier to understand.
Basic Economics: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy — 3rd Edition (2007)
This book provides an easy introduction to basic economics. It won’t make you an expert but it will provide a good foundation for further study. The style of this book is informal and the writer never talks down to the reader — everything is described in simple terms. This is the type of book that you can read from start to finish and really feel like you have learnt a lot along the way. The writer also provides some ideas that might challenge some of our most cherished notions.
Economics by Paul Samuelson and William Nordhaus – 19th Edition (2009)
This is another well respected text that has been around for a long time with new editions appearing every few years. This book is ideal for the student studying the subject at university but it can also be used for anyone as a reference book. This is not a cheap book, but the amount of information contained within its pages makes it a great investment.
Economic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell (2008)
This text focuses a lot on the United States where it is held in high regard by a lot of people. The content though is useful for people no matter where they are located on the planet. Sowell provides many of his own opinions on economics — but these are opinions that many people listen to. This book makes economics more understandable by looking at real life examples of how it applies to the real world. It is easy to read and no background knowledge in the subject is required.
