Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?
This clearly written, award-winning book about economics is a remarkably easy and fun explanation of money (its origin and history), the dollar (its origin and history), investment cycles, velocity, business cycles, recessions, inflation, the demand for money, government (its economic behavior), and more. All explanations and interpretations are according to the Austrian and Monetarist schools of economic theory.
Using the epistolary style of writing (using letters to tell a story), author Richard J. Maybury plays the part of an economist (Uncle Eric) writing a series of letters to his niece or nephew (Chris). Using stories and examples (including historical events from Ancient Rome), Mr. Maybury explains economic principles, giving interesting and clear explanations of topics that are generally thought to be too difficult for anyone but experts. Mr. Maybury warns, "Beware of anyone who tells you a topic is above you or better left to experts. Many people are twice as smart as they think they are, but they've been intimidated into believing some topics are above them. You can understand almost anything if it is explained well."
A Bluestocking Guide: Economics
A Bluestocking Guide: Economics contains additional articles, written at varying reading levels, that expand on the concepts presented in the primer as well as an economic timetable that can be used to fill in the economic history that is usually missing from history books, historical fiction, historical movies, documentaries, etc.
Also includes suggested activities, articles that expand on the concepts presented in Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?, and a list of recommended movies and documentaries that contain good economic history, and a list of websites with good economic content.