☆ Get enriched: Local economics profs' top shelf recommended reads (part 1)

Marinus van Reymerswale: The Banker and His Wife, 1540. Image by Wikimedia Commons

It's 2024: you're back in Econ 101, but this time, you're much more invested in both the “Required Texts” and “Additional Reading” lists. Below, economics professors at San Jose State, Foothill College, UC Berkeley, and Santa Clara University share their go-to texts that are informative, approachable, and, yep, just plain fun (did you know game theory intimately affects local politics?). An Opp Now exclusive.

Jeffrey Hummel, San Jose State University economics professor emeritus:

I think the best introduction to economics, especially for someone who is a complete novice, would be Paul Heyne’s text “The Economic Way of Thinking.” It went through many editions, and I believe an outrageously expensive edition is the only one still in print. I think the earlier editions are slightly better, and you can find some of them online second-hand, but any edition is splendid.

My second choice would be Todd G. Buchholtz’s “New Ideas From Dead Economists,” which also has several editions available; and in this case, the earlier ones are definitely better.

Sign up to receive updates on Opp Now articles. Click HERE.

Brian Evans, Foothill College economics instructor:

If someone wants an interesting introduction to economics, I usually recommend “Naked Economics” by Charles Wheelan. Very easy to read and does a great job of using current (as of 2002!) events to explain basic economic thinking.

Federico Echenique, UC Berkeley economics professor:

I am not sure about “the best,” but one book I often recommend is Dixit and Nalebuff's “Thinking Strategically.” It is not a new book, and it's focused on game theory rather than on economic principles, or on specific areas of economics. But it is very insightful and entertaining.

Game theory permeates most areas of modern economics, and Dixit and Nalebuff do an amazing job of conveying some of the main ideas from game theory, together with the relevant economic applications, in an engaging and fun way. Every non-economist I've suggested this book to has thoroughly enjoyed it, and learned some lessons that are relevant to their lives.

Damian Park, Santa Clara University economics lecturer:

My first choice: “The Economic Way of Thinking,” by Paul L. Heyne, Peter J. Boettke, and David L. Prychitko. It really depends on the audience, though. The one I recommended doesn't read as much like a textbook. Overall, it is hard to say given that my choice of what is good and understandable to others is biased given how much I already know.

My second choice: “Cadillac Desert,” by Marc Reisner. You will certainly learn about costs and benefits and western water supply.

Related:

• Politicians, teach thyself

• Economics discipline rejects Marx’s ideas, while Humanities depts wax Marxist extremism

• What if government invested in business instead of squeezing it?

Follow Opportunity Now on Twitter @svopportunity

Sign up to receive updates on Opp Now articles

Email Address:

First Name:

Last Name:

Opp Now enthusiastically welcomes smart, thoughtful, fair-minded, well-written comments from our readers. But be advised: we have zero interest in posting rants, ad hominems, poorly-argued screeds, transparently partisan yack, or the hateful name-calling often seen on other local websites. So if you've got a great idea that will add to the conversation, please send it in. If you're trolling or shilling for a candidate or initiative, forget it.