Horror Book Reviews

Compare at: $15.95 (New)
Buy Now: $8.58 (New)

You Save: $7.37 (46%)

Add to Cart

Title: Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science
Score:
Author: Charles Wheelan
Rating: Not available
Hits: 103

Review of Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science

[ Back to Homepage | Back to Horror Book Reviews Index ]

HellHorror.com not responsible for reviews/comments and they may be removed at any time.

Comments for Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science

• Posted on 2009-11-07
  Naked Economics vs Freakonomics
  
  I read Naked Economics and Freakonomics around the same time. Naked Economics is much better in explaining the real economics and much more coherent than Freakonomics. At the end of each chapter, you would learn something, of which Freakonomics failed to do. Freakonomics is nothing but a bunch of incoherent stories. It tries makes the comparison and contrast internesting, but that's about it, making the stories interesting. But you learn nothing. If I were to choose again, I'm picking Naked Economics.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-11-04
  concise and educational
  
  This was a great book. I particularly enjoyed its simple writing, and strong use of modern examples to support truths about economics. I would recommend this book for anyone curious about introductory economics.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-10-28
  Decent economic intro, tiresome political commentary
  
  As others have mentioned, this book is a decent intro to economic theory. Most of the major topics are discussed (although many are only given light attention) and the author uses real-world examples and humorous stories to keep the reader interested.
  
  However, the book is also somewhat difficult to read because of the author's constant political commentary.
  
  I'm not sure of Wheelan's political ideology. In many ways, he comes across a bit like Eric Cartman in the episode of South Park where he has to confront his dark side: on the one hand he accepts free markets (defined as markets with only light, meaningful, and helpful regulation) and the positive benefits of capitalism. At other times he just can't help but parrot left-wing talking points. As he states a couple times in the book, Wheelan was at one time a Democratic speechwriter and he has many left-wing friends (he even frets about being chastised by his friends in uber-liberal Boulder, Colorado). This leads him to interject some snide political comments and take a very biased (and frequently self-contradictory) look at economic policy.
  
  The first example doesn't take long to get to. In the introduction Wheelan explains his approval of free markets, but then says "Does this mean economics is an advertisement for the Republican party? Of course not." He then engages in juvenile stereotyping of Republican ideology so he can reject it, claiming that Republicans are for 'unfettered' markets (as in, not even criminal law enforcement) and are for discrimination! This is Wheelan establishing his left-wing bona fides for the possibly anxious reader.
  
  Wheelan repeatedly quotes left-wing 'economist' Paul Krugman, which might be fine if he were critically analyzing Krugman's economic beliefs, but instead Wheelan just repeats some of Krugman's jokes and sayings. It reeks of fanboyism (Krugman's name is pretty well besmirched at this time, he was a big cheerleader for the first failed stimulus and has openly called for followup stimuli). Krugman is actually mentioned more frequently than Milton Friedman!
  
  In the face of numerous studies which clearly show that deficit spending only prolonged the Great Depression (and led to Japan's lost decade), Wheelan still endorses the practice, claiming that 'cutting spending during a recession will almost certainly make it worse'. He does not address the broken window theory. He praises the Fed endlessly. He makes frequent reference to the supposed, now disproven, economic surplus when Clinton left office. He correctly labels Social Security as a pyramid scheme, but when proposing solutions only suggests that the young pay more or the elderly take less - completely neglecting personal retirement accounts or privatization of Social Security. And he has nothing but negative things to say about the 80's, which every economist knows set the stage for the boom of the 90's.
  
  But most egregiously he makes constant, irritating reference to 'global warming', by which he means anthropogenic global warming (AGW). It is his fallback argument whenever he wants to show negative impact of the economy. At the time this book was published AGW was still pretty new theory. In the years between we have seen as much, if not more, evidence debunking it than affirming it. But more importantly for a book on economics, he doesn't discuss the potential impact of legislation to curb 'global warming' and he doesn't mention that warming generally has positive implications. He does, however, routinely speak about the 'guilt' that should be associated with driving a large car (has he never lived in a rural snowfall state?) and other tiresome left-wing bromides.
  
  As I said, it's very bizarre. For the majority of the book Wheelan endorses free markets and capitalism. Understanding free markets and capitalism generally leads one towards a more Conservative mindset (in the American sense). Wheelan just seems scared to take that step so he has to keep name-checking these emotional left-wing topics and figureheads. So while it's a generally fun read, and the economic novice will learn a few new things, it's confusing and at times off-putting.
  
  
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-10-01
  Like this book
  
  It's a fun book to read. I find it very interesting. The content of the book is neutral without any extreme opinions. It basically contains the information and perspectives about Economics. If you don't know anything or a little about economics, or even know a lot about economics, this is the book for you. I guarantee that you will find it enjoyable.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-09-10
  Fun, informative, and no so Freakonomicsy
  
  Enjoyed the book. An enjoyable read that was required for my econ 110 class. No graphs = a pleasure.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10