Rating: 
Summary: simply a great introduction into macroeconomics
Review: (Note: I own the first edition.) Blanchard has done a great job on his introductory macro book. It is accessible to anyone with basic high school math and no economic prerequisites, yet it manages to develop a consistent macro theory from IS/LM to AS/AD, and much more (basic dynamics, basic expectations, basic international macroeconomics). Indeed there's enough content in it to cover three one-term courses with it, if you do it thoroughly. Of course there are also some weak points: The chapters on growth theory are a bit half-hearted in my opinion (supposedly extended in the second edition!), and I also believe that he should have spent more time on 'the pathologies' (i.e. unemployment and inflation). The historical notes should have better been incorporated into the respective chapters rather than be put in an own chapter on the end. Finally, you should keep in mind that this book only covers the Neoclassical-Keynesian Synthesis (short-run demand-determined, long-run supply-determined, without any microfoundations), but as this is usual macro belief, this really isn't a mistake. If you want to go on, you should refer to David Romer's 'Advanced Macroeconomics' or 'Lectures on Macroeconomics' by Olivier Blanchard and Stanley Fischer. As a first book on macroeconomics, this one is simply great, despite its minor shortcomings. This book has introduced me into the fascinating science of economics.
Rating:
Summary: Is the best Economics course book I have ever used.
Review: I have been using this book for 1 month as my coursebook for Economic Theory course , and read very carefully to the place where my instructor has come.I have found the book very easy-understood and very motivating.When studying on the book it is generally a fun for me as opposed to gray-looking solemn economics books!
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable!
Review: I'm a layman who thoroughly enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone with an interest in the field. The author organizes what most would consider complex topics into discrete and understandable models. The chapters are replete with relevant sidebars of actual events. The text refers to the history along the way, crediting the ideas to their Nobel prize-winning developers. He eventually devotes entire chapters to interesting topics like exchange rate crises, hyperinflation, and structurally high unemployment. But that isn't to suggest a limited scope! It's a general introduction and simply a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre learning tool
Review: Olivier Blanchard (M.I.T.) clearly knows his macro stuff, but he has a hard time articulating some of the more basic - and thus fundamental - elements of macro theory. Blanchard's explanation of the key IS-LM relation is very weak, very confusing- Mankiw does a much neater job. This book is full of complicated algebra and thus will be a huge headache for anyone who doesn't love the more tedious realms of math. Reading through the text, the content frequently waffles between inane digressions and examples, and equally useless mathematical derivations. I do give this book credit, 2 stars that is, for being comprehensive; it covers more than any comparable book.
Rating:
Summary: A great text
Review: The biggest problem with most economics textbooks is that the authors just don't shut up. Blanchard is the exception. He writes informally, but doesn't say more than is necessary. As a result, the textbook doesn't feel like a textbook (which makes studying orders of magnitude easier), and it's much shorter. Each chapter is, on average, about 15 pages long, which can be read in less than an hour. And the amazing thing is that you learn just as much macroeconomics as you would anywhere else! Also nice is the history of economics section added at the end, and the role of such economic giants as Samuelson, Solow, Friedman (and lots of other people at MIT, UChicago, and one or two from Stanford and ... psh... Harvard.)
Rating:
Summary: Mediocre learning tool
Review: The content of Blanchard (3rd edition) may be all very well, but the layout and typography are such a hodgepodge as to be quite distracting and intimidating. The CD is only Windows-compatible, and judging from the description strikes me as rather more a nuisance than an asset (it might have been put in a pocket iside the cover, but no such luck). For a clearer and altogether more pleasant presentation, take a look at Gregory Mankiw's Macroeconomics, 5th edition. A quick check indicated it was perhaps a bit less thorough (Mankiw doesn't mention the problems with non-performing loans in the Japanese banking system; Blanchard does), but one has to draw the line somewhere, and there is something to be said for allowing the instructor a bit more flexibility to introduce examples.
Rating: 
Summary: Look at Mankiw's text
Review: The content of Blanchard (3rd edition) may be all very well, but the layout and typography are such a hodgepodge as to be quite distracting and intimidating. The CD is only Windows-compatible, and judging from the description strikes me as rather more a nuisance than an asset (it might have been put in a pocket iside the cover, but no such luck). For a clearer and altogether more pleasant presentation, take a look at Gregory Mankiw's Macroeconomics, 5th edition. A quick check indicated it was perhaps a bit less thorough (Mankiw doesn't mention the problems with non-performing loans in the Japanese banking system; Blanchard does), but one has to draw the line somewhere, and there is something to be said for allowing the instructor a bit more flexibility to introduce examples.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book in macroeconomics
Review: This book covers most important topics in macroeconomics in an intuitive manner. Use of calculus has been avoided, which I see as a good thing, considering that (in my opinion) many authors seem use calculus to impress. Theoretical arguments are given substance with actual cases and data, which makes the reading all the more interesting. Principles of economics is, however, a pre-requisite in order to fully understand and enjoy this book. Someone pointed out that the book has exercises but no key. This is the reason why Macroeconomics does not get five stars from me. It is incredible how mistakes like these still happen. But otherwise, I highly recommend the book to anybody who wants to accumulate knowlegde in the field!
Rating:
Summary: Good Intermediate Macro Book
Review: This book is an appropriate tool for an intermediate macroeconomics course-guess where I used it! The "Core" of the book is broken up into three sections: the short run (IS/LM), the medium run (IS/LM-AD/AS), and long run (Solow). This is very helpful and provides a natural progression.Blanchard does skim over some of the more basic stuff, especially, as somebody mentioned, with the IS/LM model. For this reason I think it is very appropriate for an intermediate course where somebody probably has already learned some of the fundamentals in an introductory course. Unfortunately I felt that the Solow model was not in the depth that I would like, especially with respect to mathematics. On that note, the book doesn't use a high level of mathematics, but the equations are there, and your algebra should definitely be up to par. This also provides a nice transition to those looking to take an advanced micro or macro course, as things tend to involve more and more mathematics as one goes on. Overall, a good book, lacking in a spot or two, but a good textbook overall.
Rating:
Summary: Fine *textbook* but.....
Review: This publication is obviously a quite thought-out textbook and is well-organized in its content. However, I do _not_ recommend it as a review text for those somewhat <ahem> weak in mathematics. The book is loaded with graphs and equations that might thwart those former students wishing to review their macroeconomics or just desiring a good home reference for same. For neophytes or those long out of college (30-years-plus in my case), I suggest a good basic "principles of economics" text (and maybe some remedial algebra books and/or classes) before taking on more (relatively) advanced works such as this. However, the book is nevertheless interesting and actually has quite a few graphs, etc easily understandable by any reasonably intelligent person.
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