Tuesday, December 13, 2011

5 Best Books That Incorporate Economics

We all know that teaching someone something in the form of a story can be a great way to learn anything. In keeping with that thought, there are many books that also include valuable lessons in economics. To prove it, we have gathered just five works of fiction that incorporate valuable lessons in economics.

1. The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck’s masterpiece was the winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. It tells the story of a family living during The Great Depression and is an essential read for learning how economics can affect everyone.

2. Murder at the Margin – If you love murder mysteries, check out this book. It is by Marshall Jevons, a Harvard economist, and teaches essential lessons in economy surrounded by a murder mystery. Also a good choice if you are an undergraduate or high school student.

3. The Invisible Heart – If love stories are more your thing, then check out this book. It is a love story involving business, economics, and regulation through the eyes of two teachers at an exclusive school.

4. The Price of Everything – Get a “parable of possibility and prosperity” by author Russell Roberts. In the book, a Stanford student’s world is turned upside down by the opening of a mega store. The following is an interesting read and lesson on economics.

5. The Dharma Bums – Because wealth isn’t everything, check out this book. Jack Kerouac tells the story based on true events. It follows the travels of Ray Smith as he gets in touch with the outdoors and recalls what is truly important.

Bonus! The Wealth of Nations – Published in the landmark year of 1776, it was actually written by Scottish author Adam Smith. It focuses on how economics fits into the industrial revolution and is a strong proponent of the free market. It isn’t actually a fictional work, but it has been read and cited various times by scholars such as John Adams.

Molly Mitchell is a Economics graduate student and also owns the site Economics Degree. Her site helps students find the right Economics Degree to fit their needs.

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