Both a brief history of economic studies and an introduction to its main ideas, Paul Heyne's essay is superior to most like it because he takes into account what most economic theorists refuse to consider: human nature. In this regard, A Student's Guide to Economics is more about "economic philosophy" than economics as a hard science.
Heyne's assessment is decidedly conservative without paying mindless homage to capitalism and its negative aspects. At the same time, he doesn't see capitalism as the lesser of many evils, but as the best solution to the problems all people face.
For the beginning economics student, there's no better place to start than here. It couches a difficult topic in language anyone can understand, while demonstrating that economic theory, far from being an abstract field of study, is vitally important for every good citizen to understand.
Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews
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