Halving It All

by Stephanie McPeak Petersen

In this fun romp through the western Milky Way, Violet Self teaches economic concepts with her trusty Manual at several moon-based re-education camps. But when the Earth is closed during a pandemic, she befriends a few of her former Earthling campers forced to stay on Violet's home moon. Together they attempt to solve its vicious hyperinflation, while mitigating the physical effects of an economic vaccine that's being secretly dosed out. Sir Riordan Vastly, the Manual's overbearing author, and his constantly rhyming wife join Violet and her cat (Fred) in tracking down the real cause of the moon's inflationary troubles, while the girls from Earth learn valuable economic lessons about the true nature of both capitalism and socialism. The playful scifi story melds Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) with Henry Hazlitt (Economics in One Lesson) in an effort to impart economic truths in a clever, entertaining way.

139 pages, Paperback

Published July 18, 2020

About the author

Stephanie Petersen writes fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, and non-fiction on economic themes in an entertaining, humorous, mystical, and sometimes snarky way. Though not an economist herself, Petersen's work has been praised and positively reviewed by economists like Art Carden (Learn Liberty) and Jordan Goodman (America's Money Answers Man). She lives in Colorado with her husband.

Reviews

[M.A. Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely well written book that, in the way of a story, teaches the reader a lot about social structures. Petersen understands the concepts so incredibly well that she weaves the lessons through moon cultures from inflation, shopping, healthcare, and even benevolent electricity.

I mention the benevolent electricity because she throws some super unique, creative ideas into her work too. I also love how her futuristic characters casually relate new, creative ideas to things in society today, such as a non-physical currency to Bitcom. It helps the reader follow along.

Masterfully put together: Margaret Atwood would be proud.

[Lynn Helton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just plain fun! What a fantastic way to present economic concepts.

This whimsical sci-fi tale is entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time. The story is a great mix of elements held together with a whole lot of humor and real information about many economic truths, along with some pointed but subtle commentary on current events and viewpoints. There’s even a bit of a mystery mixed in (What’s causing the hyperinflation on Kapathund?). My only quibble while reading was a few odd word choices that bumped me temporarily out of the story (as in “….pulled out his phone and furiously swope”). A little annoying, but they didn’t really impact my enjoyment.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the economic poetry. Not a subject I would have ever thought suited to poetry, but it worked so well! I also enjoyed the many fun little tidbits integrated into the story, including the Decentralized Council of Reluctant Rulers, the “comrade vaccine”, and the government that consists of just four computers.

As a former homeschooling parent, this is a resource I definitely would have wanted to include in my curriculum. It entertains while it instructs, and it does a fantastic job of providing a working knowledge of economic concepts.

[R.J.G. McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely would have enjoyed and done better in my economics classes in college if the required textbooks were written like this. Imagine your basic economics 101 book, but it's written by Douglas Adams a la "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy": the result would be "Halving it All."

Funny and clever, this book breaks down basic economic concepts in a way that anyone can understand, using aliens, robots, and wit. Very relevant as well, with mentions of coronavirus, Venezuela, and other current topics found in the news.

The main thing I struggled with was the fact that there were quite a few characters, all with unique names and several storylines/backstories, so occasionally, I had to go back a page or two to reread something, because I would lose my bearings. Otherwise though, the book was delightful, interesting, informative, and fun.

[Stefania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I teach high school economics and this book was assigned for summer reading - the best way to ease students into serious concepts like capital, time preference, opportunity cost etc!

[Nico Genes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning about socialism in a unique way.

The story starts with three women sent from Earth to the planet Ting. The educational Capitalist camp on this tiny planet was usually voluntary, but this time these women were sent there to learn a lesson. When the council realized that they were keeping those women against their will and that was somehow not allowed, they have decided to send them back to Earth. But guess what? Because of a virus, the Earth’s atmosphere was closed. The author cleverly used the current situation in her book. Even the toilet paper was part of the story.

There are many planets and moons in this story, also many other characters, but the one I liked the most is Violet Self. She’s the one teaching and monitoring everyone’s progress. The rules were from the Consortium’s “Manual of Basic Economics for the Stupid and Ill-Informed.” Not all the rules were logical, and some of them required more time to be understood. All in all, this book is worth reading. The author managed to explain in a very original way concepts regarding socialism and capitalism.

The theme, the topics, and dialogues are original, at times amusing, and the names are unique as well.
I will look differently at kombucha from now on.:)

[S.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid 5 Stars

Three young socialist Earth women are sent to a tropical moon in the Milky Way to be re-educated. They arrive with nothing, not even shoes and have to figure how to survive. Their progress is monitored by Violet Self who teaches from the Consortium's "Manuel of Basic Economics for the Stupid and Ill-Informed." When it's discovered the three were illegally sentenced for re-education they are released. Unfortunately, Covid has hit Earth and they cannot return. Their second-best alternative is to wait it out on Violet Self's home moon where they learn about the repercussions of capitalism and socialism. Three other Earthings are sent to a communist education moon in the latter part of the story.

This was a truly enjoyable read and the humor is off the charts. If I was still in the classroom, I'd use "Halving it All" to get students thinking about the similarities, differences and repercussions of capitalism, socialism and communist economic systems. Well done and an entertaining romp.

[Colleen Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the witty way the author keeps you engaged in the story line as you jet set from planet to planet learning economic concepts. The humor is a nice touch since economics isn’t everyone’s forte, it definitely helps keep your attention. I love how the current events were placed in the story line. It literally made me laugh out loud when I read it. My favorite part is the rain and how it makes you more generous that is until you get overdosed with it!! So funny. I would definitely recommend this book to others!!

[Kelly Channick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting to laugh as much as I did over this book. Reminiscent of Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy, six Earthlings find themselves on an alien planet, trying to figure out how to best run an economy. With the capitalist, communist and socialists definitions and workings, and how we errantly use them in our society all coming into play, the Earthlings have a lot in store for them. Filled with humor and adventure, I highly recommend this well-written book.

[Gene Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever in both title and premise, “Halving It All” is less of a narrative and more of an extended economics lesson, arguing against the recent mainstreaming of collectivist ideologies. It’s so odd it might turn certain readers off, but its points are well presented, and the absurdist story moves along at a steady pace. Unfortunately, economic illiteracy likely isn’t going anywhere, but perhaps Petersen’s writing can present an opposing view to someone unfamiliar with these concepts.

[David E. Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, well written and with some excellent humour. It was one of those books that I couldn't put down and I thoroughly enjoyed reading. From the lack of shoes to the bizarre council meetings, it was a quality read!