Intermediate microeconomics is both fun and intellectually challenging in this new edition, written by the author of The Armchair Economist, the popular trade book that explains basic economics to the general public. The text provides an exceptionally friendly and application-rich presentation, combined with a rigorous and careful development of microeconomic theory. All of the standard topics of intermediate price theory are included, as well as innovative topics such as alternative normative criteria, efficient asset markets, contestable markets, antitrust law, human capital, and the demand for public goods. A unique unifying theme of social welfare is used with little higher-level mathematics.
The book gets the job done. It is solid, understandable and complete and I have no complaints. However, reading it did make me want to poke my eye out with a stick- entertaining or even slightly engaging it is not.
Just like the best educational books, each core idea is communicated through a variety of well-chosen examples, which are then followed by a solid set of review questions and problem sets to ensure you've grasped the material. It makes a potentially dry subject feel both accessible and logical.