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Rating: 
Summary: Roberts hits the mark
Review: Dr. Roberts handles issues like globalization, government regulation and the power of self-interest in a very entertaining and insightful manner. Throughout The Invisible Heart I found myself saying out loud "He gets it -- he gets it." As an entrepreneur, I've had to defend my employee compensation arrangements -- not to my employees but to well-intentioned, yet ignorant do-gooders who attempt to brand me as one who exploits others with my methods (I pay my workers on output (per piece) not on input (per hour). I've said to these people, "ask my employees if they feel exploited. I have 20 people on a waiting list wanting to work for me." For some reason these people never take me up on my offer. Hmmm.These uninitiated would do well to read Dr. Roberts book. Roberts takes a number of esoteric issues and brings them to life. This is a must read for anyone who thought economics was boring.
Rating: 
Summary: *snort*
Review: Read it 'cause it's a first-rate novel. The will-the-boy-get-the-girl aspects of the book keep it moving briskly. (I'm one who doesn't finish books if they drag, and I finished it in two sittings.) The surprise twist in the plot keeps the reader guessing. That the book also includes some of the most reasoned discussions of markets and the economy in no way intrudes on the readability of the novel. And the reader may learn something in the meantime.
Rating:
Summary: Catch this wave early
Review: Read this book now to get an early taste of 21st century economics, call it "Compassionate Capitalism". It deals wisely and accurately with today's socialist based - and economically doomed - attempts to legislate equity. Not only does some of this modern legislation have a negative economic impact, it directly assails our liberties. Take Russell Roberts' antagonists and consider their argument - taking decision away from the individual leads to the Orwellian nightmare, big brother knows what is best. Our American free spirit is ultimately indomitable, the swing of the pendulum toward the far reaches of political correctness will be shrugged off by the younger generation. This book does a fine job articulating why. Enjoy the read, it is fun. It is also remarkable to see Rabbi Maimonides quoted, the 'RAMBAM' would have been proud!
Rating:
Summary: Catch this wave early
Review: Read this book now to get an early taste of 21st century economics, call it "Compassionate Capitalism". It deals wisely and accurately with today's socialist based - and economically doomed - attempts to legislate equity. Not only does some of this modern legislation have a negative economic impact, it directly assails our liberties. Take Russell Roberts' antagonists and consider their argument - taking decision away from the individual leads to the Orwellian nightmare, big brother knows what is best. Our American free spirit is ultimately indomitable, the swing of the pendulum toward the far reaches of political correctness will be shrugged off by the younger generation. This book does a fine job articulating why. Enjoy the read, it is fun. It is also remarkable to see Rabbi Maimonides quoted, the 'RAMBAM' would have been proud!
Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking and entertaining
Review: This book explores a range of timely economic and societal issues, from corporate greed to homelessness, in an engaging and entertaining way. A real page turner, the reader can't wait to find out what happens to the characters in the two concurrent plots. I was delighted by the surprise ending, but perhaps more importantly, I learned a great deal of free-market economics along the way. I only wish more people would read this book!
Rating: 
Summary: A book about Unintended consequences and goofy polemics.
Review: This book was brilliant. I bought it before going on vacation and I couldn't put it down. It is a very fast read (maybe 2 or 3 hours total reading time) and taught me about 15 economic lessons that are incredibly valuable. I find myself quoting the lessons of the book constantly. Perhaps the most valuable element of the book is that the author cleverly uses the characters to argue both sides of each economic argument. You not only learn the "right" answer, but you learn the holes in the most common arguments that are advanced by those that don't subscribe to more "free market" thinking. This should be required reading for anyone involved in business or economics. Note that the book will be very interesting even to those marginally interested in economics as the love story is exceptionally well written and thought provoking.
Rating:
Summary: A book about Unintended consequences and goofy polemics.
Review: This is a book about Unintended consequences and goofy polemics. This is the funniest book I have read in a long time - even though it is supposed to be a heart felt 'romance.' I enjoyed the stilted dialogue and the portentous arguments postulated by the 'econ prof.' as he attempts to woo the heart and mind of his beloved yet wrong headed liberal special lady friend. Don't read it as a romance, read it as a critique of the ruling class and how through its ideology it attempts to sell everything via the market place. Yes - even your heart is an battlefield between the forces of freedom and socialism!
Rating:
Summary: An interesting way to address the fundamentals
Review: This is a very creative, and downright brilliant book. It very palatably presents free market economic theory in a sweet, engaging, and endearing tale. Were I a high school teacher or a college instructor teaching an entry level economics course this would be a book that I would definitely require -- it outlines fundamental economic concepts in a practically fashion easily understood by the "lay" person. Additionally, it presents a perspective that those left of center (such as myself) are compelled to respect, even if they are philosophically not in agreement. Besides its educational merits, this is simply a touching novel that keeps you committed, and makes you feel warm and satisfied finishing it. A reader completed devoid of any interest in economics whatsoever would find this an interesting and worthwhile read (and end up better educated despite himself).
Rating:
Summary: This might convert Marx
Review: This is a very creative, and downright brilliant book. It very palatably presents free market economic theory in a sweet, engaging, and endearing tale. Were I a high school teacher or a college instructor teaching an entry level economics course this would be a book that I would definitely require -- it outlines fundamental economic concepts in a practically fashion easily understood by the "lay" person. Additionally, it presents a perspective that those left of center (such as myself) are compelled to respect, even if they are philosophically not in agreement. Besides its educational merits, this is simply a touching novel that keeps you committed, and makes you feel warm and satisfied finishing it. A reader completed devoid of any interest in economics whatsoever would find this an interesting and worthwhile read (and end up better educated despite himself).
Rating: 
Summary: Looney liberals versus Free marketeers
Review: This is an interesting economics book that contrasts free market economic theory versus liberal (or socialist) ideas. The econ teacher is a free market guy but, alas, the girl he wants is a liberal. Naturally, she thinks he is a real screwball. For example, she likes to give homeless folks V8 juice instead of pocket change. He says they want money for drugs or alcohol and will find the V8 useless unless they can sell it. The free market guy winds up losing his job for being "a looney" even though the author agrees with him on everything. I think the book would have been more effective if the free market guy's ideas won people over but the authors outcome is probably closer to the truth. In any event, this book teaches sound economic principals.
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