Includes index.

Part 1: Economics : the science of how people deal with scarcity -- 1. What economics is and why you should care -- 2. Cookies or ice cream? Exploring consumer choices -- 3. Producing stuff to maximize happiness -- Part 2: Microeconomics : the science of consumer and firm behavior -- 4. Supply and demand made easy -- 5. Introducing Homo Economicus, the utility-maximizing consumer -- 6. The core of capitalism : the profit-maximizing firm -- 7. Why economists love free markets and competition -- 8. Monopolies : bad behavior without competition -- 9. Oligopoly and monopolistic competition : middle grounds -- Part 3: Applying the theories of microeconomics -- 10. Property rights and wrongs -- 11. Asymmetric information and public goods -- 12. Health economics and healthcare finance -- 13. Behavioral economics: investigating irrationality -- Part 4: Macroeconomics : the science of economic growth and stability -- 14. How economists measure the macroeconomy -- 15. Inflation frustration : why more money isn't always good -- 16. Understanding why recessions happen -- 17. Fighting recessions with monetary and fiscal policy -- 18. Grasping the origins and effects of financial crises -- Part 5: The part of tens -- 19. Ten seductive economic fallacies -- 20. Ten economic ideas to hold dear -- 21. Ten (or so) famous economists -- Appendix: Glossary.

Grasp the history, principles, theories, and terminology of economics. This updated guide gives you a straightforward, easy-to-grasp understanding of how the economy functions-- and how it influences personal finances.

"This book gives you everything you need to understand our rapidly evolving economy--as well as the economic fundamentals that never change. What's the best way to fight poverty? What can be done to protect endangered species and the environment? This book explains the answers to those questions--and many more--in plain English"--Page 4 of cover.