Author(s): David Smith

Business

Updated with a filling course on the credit crunch, this digestible guide to economics, organized like a convivial meal with friends, will lead you through many of the mysteries of the economy.The economy has never been so relevant to so many people as it is now, and it's vital that we understand how it affects our lives. 'There's no such thing as a free lunch' is the one phrase everyone has heard from economics - not even for bankers. But why not? What does economics tell us about the price of lunch - and everything else? "Free Lunch" makes the economics pages of the newspaper intelligible and addresses the concerns that worry us all. Set out like a good lunch-time conversation, the book will guide you through the mysteries of the economy. Your guides will be some of the greatest names in the field, including Smith, Marx and Keynes. This clever and witty introduction costs less than even the cheapest meal. It is essential reading in these times of economic uncertainty, and is far more satisfying than even the most gourmet banquet. First published 2003; this revised edition 2008.