Teaching Myself Econ?

Question

I just finished Freakonomics and realized I probably should have majored in econ cause I loved it so much.

Anyone have any book recommendations that will teach me the beginnings of economics?

I have a degree in Biomedical Science so I already have a good understanding of statistics and preforming controlled studies. I feel like there is a lot of overlap between econ and stuff I learned in my science classes.

Answer 1

I really doubt that anyone can self major any subject, especially a boring one like economics. I appreciate the rush/hype that "Freakonomics" gives you but this is an exception and not the rule. For a similar book try "SuperCrunchers" http://www.amazon.com/Super-Crunchers-Th...

Be sure to check out the Freakonomics blog: http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/

If you really want to try to learn economics then just start with the all time classic textbook: Economics by P. Samuelson and W. Nordhaus (ISBN-10: 0072314885). Also check out Wikipedias page on economics to see the various branches:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics

Answer 2

Self Teaching has been always a bad solution to a scarcity problem, scarcity understood in the sense of time, money or proper schools. Books on basics economics are good but boring. I´d reccommend you to read some books written by A.Smith,  Ricardo, Heilbronner, Galbraith, Samuelson, Stuart Mill, Friedman etc. Most of them are easy and interesting to read. None of them include any maths but if you are good at them, I´d recommend Hicks, Keynes, Walras, Kurihara, Pigou, Solow, Roy etc.

Answer 3

Well, Freakonomics is actually an amazing read, but what kind of basics do you want to learn..........

Economics is an extremely diverse subject, so you should really know where exactly your interests lie...........

If you want to know about the basic principles and theories, then you can read mankiw or case&fair- principles of economics, or pick up a book on introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics........ These 2 authors teach through a lot of case studies, so they'll be good for your understanding........

If its statistics and econometrics that interests you, then try webster and gujarati... Very good books to learn the essentials.........

And if you are interested in the working of the world economy, then try krugman & obstfeld......... THough I'll recommend you understand the principles before picking up this book...........

Answer 4

Oh, indeed there is STIGLITZ. ECONOMICS and LIPSEY&CRystal, MANKIW MACROECONOMICS  would be a good books to start  with u may also read two editions on mathematics in economics by STIGLITZ(considering ur level , i wont suggest basics only) & for econometrics read WEBSTER & some more advanced stuff u'd better get some idea urself based on style and depth of analysis(important)

after this it'd b entertaining to read some off the line economics

at graduate level VARIAN, SEN &DREZE& HUSSAIN(CHOICE THORY AND POLITICAL ECONOMICS, VARIOUS SERIES); bardhan p. and christopher udry;make good readings. Readpapers on health economics etc from beging. be in touch with regular redings; ho slow be comprehensive, question each level

then u can go into comparitives, trade,finance etc. but not now tht'd b BORING( wait for 18 months at least  yaar, till then enjoy flavour of economics only, in applied u'd b seasond stuff; we believe anyone who has in depth knowledge, hoinesty, dedication and expertise (to b reliable u'd need some time tested show of understanding at levels) can b economist hence we r against craze for degree economists