The Little Book Of Economics: How The Economy Works In The Real World(ISBN=9780470621660)

　　One positive side-effect of the recent financial market meltdown that toppled giant, century-old institutions and cost millions their jobs is that it created a strong desire among many Americans to better understand how the U.S. economy functions. In TheLittle Book of Economics, Greg, Ip, one of the country’s most recognized and respected economics journalists, walks readers through how the economy really works. 　

　　Written for the inquisitive layman who doesn’t want to plow through academic jargon and Greek letters or pore over charts and tables, The Little Book of Economicsoffers indispensible insight into how the American economy works – or, doesn’t. With engaging and accessible prose, the book

　　Greg Ip is the U.S. Economics Editor for The Economist. He covers the economy, financial markets, monetary, fiscal and regulatory policy and contributes to The Economist's blog, Free Exchange. Ip is a veritable brand in economics journalism. From 1996 to 2008 he reported for The Wall St. Journal and became one of the Journal's most respected and recognized reporters. His byline appeared on the front page more than any other reporter's.

Foreword.
Introduction.
Chapter One The Secrets of Success.
How People, Capital, and Ideas Make Countries Rich.
Chapter Two Economic Bungee Jumping.
Business Cycles, Recessions, and Depressions . . . Oh My!
Chapter Three In-Flight Monitor.
Tracking and Forecasting the Business Cycle from Takeoff to Landing.
Chapter Four Labor Pains.
Employment, Unemployment, and Wages.
Chapter Five Fire and Ice.
Warning: Inflation and Deflation Are Toxic to Your Economic Health.
Chapter Six Drop the Puck!
The Globalization Game Is Here Whether We're Ready or Not.
Chapter Seven All the World's an ATM.
Knitting Global Markets Together.
\Chapter Eight All the President's Men.
They Don't Control the Economy But They Sure Do Try.
Chapter Nine The Buck Starts Here.
The Federal Reserve's Amazing Power to Print and Destroy Money.
Chapter Ten White Smoke over the Washington Mall.
The Making of Monetary Policy and the Fine Art of Fed Watching.
Chapter Eleven When the World Needs a Fireman.
America's Lender of Last Resort and the World's Crisis Manager.
Chapter Twelve The Elephant in the Economy.
What the Government Giveth and Taketh Away.
Chapter Thirteen Good Debt, Bad Debt.
How Government Borrowing Can Save or Destroy an Economy.
Chapter Fourteen Love-Hate Relationship.
The Bipolar Financial System—Essential for Economic Growth But Sometimes It Goes Nuts.
Chapter Fifteen A Species of Neuralgia.
The Multiple, Recurring Causes of Financial Crises.
Acknowledgments.
About the Author.
Index.