Principles of Macroeconomics

by Robert H. Frank, Ben S. Bernanke, Lars Osberg

Market feedback tells us that relevance of the material covered, clarity, pacing and even a bit of “show and tell” will draw students into the text and provide the motivation to learn economics. Frank and Bernanke, Macroeconomics, Second Canadian Edition, addresses these needs by focusing on the • Active learning New concepts are introduced by means of simple examples, usually numerical, which are developed step-by-step in the text. Many examples are followed by exercises that allow students to test their understanding. The worked examples (the show and tell) put the theory into practice. This system also includes exercises, similar to the worked examples, for students to practice on. Solutions to the Exercises are found at the end of each chapter. • Economics reflect the real Through the Economic Naturalist feature (minicases), students are encouraged to become economic naturalists who employ basic economic principles to understand and explain what they see around them. These examples show students the relevance of economics to their world. Core concepts are reinforced in the discussion of each of these minicases. Additional Economic Naturalist examples are found on the Student web page and in the Instructor’s Manual. • Core A set of six core principles are integrated throughout the text to ensure that students develop a strong understanding of these core economic ideas. • Accessible text with electronic The Online Learning Centre provides faculty and students with a comprehensive set of resources to engage student’s in the study of economics.

Genres: Economics, Business, Textbooks, Reference, Nonfiction

544 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Robert H. Frank is the Henrietta Johnson Louis Professor of Management and a Professor of Economics at Cornell University's S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management. He contributes to the "Economic View" column, which appears every fifth Sunday in The New York Times.

Reviews

[Max Lybbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't required to take macroeconomics in school. Every introductory macroeconomics textbook that I looked at claimed to focus on the fundamentals and to be entertaining enough that curious adults could read them even without taking a course at the local college. Since I haven't read those other books, I can't say whether they deliver on their promise, but I can vouch for this book. It actually does focus on the fundamentals, and points out how those fundamentals fit together, and is engaging and entertaining enough to read even without a professor threatening dire consequences if you slack off.

I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in learning more about the economy. This book is good enough that I'm planning to read Bernanke's intermediate economics textbook soon as well.

However, I'll admit that one reason I chose this book over the competition was that Bernanke was a co-author, and I hoped to get some insight into how he runs the Federal Reserve (I chose the book because of Bernanke, I chose this edition because it was significantly cheaper than the newer editions of the same book). The preface includes a note that as Bernanke's moved up through the ranks of the Federal Reserve he's taken a diminishing role in revising this book. He's correct to do so, and it's correct to keep his name on the cover (his work apparently does still make up a good portion of the text), but it's something to be aware of if you're expecting to get a peek behind the curtain the way I had expected. Even so, this is a great book.

[Julie Shuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took macroeconomic theory a second time now that I am done with undergrad, and I thought the examples and theories presented in the book were interesting and relevant to current events and debates. However, the book clearly takes a more conservative viewpoint and glosses over many of the challenges facing our society. Overall though it was clear and concise. I did well in the class, but the CONNECT homework questions were a nightmare I had to struggle through. I found multiple mistakes and the questions were worded very unclearly. It makes the assignments take much longer than they need to. I probably wouldn't have succeeded in the class without reading every chapter page by page.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I didn't realize until THIS MOMENT that Ben freaking Bernanke was the editor of my textbook. I didn't understand it at all. Lowest grade of my college career, and I was frankly lucky to even pass.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read selections of this textbook for EC 202: Introduction to Macroeconomics. The textbook had an odd layout at times but the material was straightforward and easy to understand.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful for my online macroecon class.