Excellent, basic review of economic principles

If you could sum up The Modern Scholar in three words, what would they be?

Comprehensive, objective, essential

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Modern Scholar?

This canned question isn't exactly applicable, but I had an "aha!" moment during lecture #8, regarding the downward slope of the demand curve.

Which scene was your favorite?

n/a

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Economics make some people laugh/cry, but no, I did not have such a reaction.

Any additional comments?

I'm taking an online econ class through a major university, and it's a tough course to teach to myself. The university textbook is absolutely overwhelming with the tiny black print on vast, white pages...graphs and tables, vernacular...it was very difficult to get started on the course. These Audible econ lectures have been invaluable to me. Thanks to Professor Navarro, I have been able to EASILY get a grasp on economic principles while commuting to/from work. I am finally able to read the textbook chapters without being completely bewildered. Professor Navarro's objective approach to economics (without political spin) is refreshing, the lectures are clearly outlined and presented in a "building block" order, and Professor Navarro's voice isn't irritating. If anyone has an interest in understanding basic principles of economics, this lecture series is an EASY LISTEN. I highly recommend. I just discovered the accompanying .pdf, and I'm anxious to read through it.

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Excellent, and mainstream

This is an excellent introduction and overview of economics.

I respectfully but adamantly disagree with the other reviewer (Joe in Seattle): this is a very mainstream overview of economics. Navarro might be more of a saltwater (e.g., Harvard) than freshwater (e.g., Chicago) economist, but both of these schools are quite mainstream. Hayek, on the otherhand, is an Austrian economist (even though he was at Chicago, he's not considered part of the freshwater school...), and Austrians are on of the main heterodox schools. (Currently, there are reasonable articles at Wikipedia on "Saltwater and freshwater economics"--which describes the left and right wings of the mainstream--and on "Heterodox economics.")

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10 people found this helpful

Too much fluff and inconsistent level of detail

What did you like best about The Modern Scholar? What did you like least?

All subject matter was very relevant and examples were good. The presentation was poor, however: (1) He uses terminology that he has not yet defined and (2) he uses the annoying vocabulary and tone of voice of a sensationalist American newscaster. Also, I feel that the director should have made sure that the transition between chapters was nearly seamless instead of adding fluff, e.g., narrator saying name at beginning of every chapter, saying every chapter "I hope you enjoyed blah blah blah...".

Would you be willing to try another book from Peter Navarro? Why or why not?

No.

Would you be willing to try another one of Peter Navarro’s performances?

No.

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a good introductory coarse

Where does The Modern Scholar: Principles of Economics: Business, Banking, Finance, and Your Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

basic understanding of economics is an important skill needed for any person today this is a great starting point

What other book might you compare The Modern Scholar: Principles of Economics: Business, Banking, Finance, and Your Life to and why?

not sure

Which character – as performed by Peter Navarro – was your favorite?

not applicable

If you could give The Modern Scholar: Principles of Economics: Business, Banking, Finance, and Your Life a new subtitle, what would it be?

basic economics

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Some good info. Slightly heterodox.

While not a raving socialist, the professor focuses a lot on how the government can step in and save the world. We see how that's going now, and I think he favors more of the same.

This book seems to be a moderate but firm justification for the core concepts of socialism. He focuses a lot on market failures and the idea that perfect competition is the exception rather than the rule.

He mentions government failures, but spends far to little time talking about incentives and their effect on productive performance. This gives the impression that he is a socialist appologist, trying to convince the world that the government is a great tool to guide businesses toward economic efficiency.

Disregarded is the two thousand years of history that compels any reasonable reader to admit that the government, overall, has done more harm than good when it attempts to intervene in markets.

He seems to make the case that only a minority of businesses should be left on their own, while all the others are valid targets for government intervention. Some of his points are valid. However, in practice, the political incentives that typically guide interventionist policies generally do not resemble the types of responsible and effective intervention that he talks about.

As for the Harvard economists, I'm just about done listening to any professor from that school. This isn't to say that they're all quacks, but Chicago seems to produce much more scholarly work on the subject of economics.

Read some Smith, Hayak, Sowell and Friedman. If you want hard evidence to support this authors version of economic dogma, then this book neither succeeds or attempts to provide proof of its assertions. Look elsewhere. If you lean towards the heterodox, go straight to Marx and skip this luke warm intermediary.

Still, there is a lot of good information if you already know enough to know which of his assertions are misleading... but if you already know that... why read? Cheers.

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32 people found this helpful

Necessary Subject

Basic economics but interesting. It's a necessary subject for today. Short but good chapters. Q&A as well.

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Good content, poor delivery

This book is a particular torture for me. I find the subject matter interesting, but the author's presentation of the content pushes me away. The pace of his dictation, his stiff and formal tone, and his strange-pitched voice make this book a difficult listen.

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very poor book

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

It was not outlined properly and audio format of this kind of subject is not helpful at all.

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