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Rating: 
Summary: economics is not the same as investing
Review: A big problem with this book is the title. The book should have been titled "An Introduction to Economic Data that Impact Investments". The unstated premise of this book is that you must understand and follow scores of economic indexes to make profitable investments. If you agree with that premise, this book is for you. I tend to think that making money on the stock/bond markets requires more than just understanding economics. Whatever that is, you will not find it in this book.
Rating:
Summary: economics is not the same as investing
Review: A big problem with this book is the title. The book should have been titled "An Introduction to Economic Data that Impact Investments". The unstated premise of this book is that you must understand and follow scores of economic indexes to make profitable investments. If you agree with that premise, this book is for you. I tend to think that making money on the stock/bond markets requires more than just understanding economics. Whatever that is, you will not find it in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: You will use and re-use this great book
Review: How the Economy Works by Ed Mennis is a refreshingly concise and easy to read guide on one of the most complicated subjects of our era: U.S. and International Economics. Most books I have read on this subject are usually dry, too long and written with so much jargon/slang that I cannot understand what the author is trying to say (and I work professionally in the financial services industry). Mennis breaks down his book into easily digestible, short chapters laden with pictures and graphs that enhance its readability and the reader's content retention. In this book you will find excellent explanations of economic trends and cycles, interest rate and monetary policy, consumer and corporate spending, corporate profit cycles and Federal Reserve activity. It concludes with a wonderful chapter on how individuals can APPLY these principles (which is usually missing from most financial books). In the end, I found How the Economy Works to be a superb economic reference guide. The professional economist and individual investor will not regret buying this book. NOTE: If you are looking for a book that goes into greater detail about economic indicators only, take a look at `The Atlas of Economic Indicators' by Carnes and Slifer.
Rating: 
Summary: Problem is the publishing date: 1999
Review: Most of the data in this book ends no later than 1998, so shows everything trending merrily upward. Not the author's fault, of course, and you could update it yourself if you've got lots of free time, a highbandwidth Internet connection, access to an excellent library and money for some subscriptions. Otherwise, an update to show the bubble and bust would be most helpful. But a good book to read if looking for a start at understanding the sources of and connections between the various economic indices and data that are so glibly thrown about in both the popular and financial media.
Rating:
Summary: The High School Opinion
Review: The average person does not know much about the U.S. economy, even though they are connected to it everyday. Mr. Mennis' book, How the Economy Works, takes this complex subject down to the average readers skill, and takes them step by step through each aspect of it. I was galvanised by the way Mennis used graphs and charts to back up his text. It was very refreshing to see this, because in school, they explain, but never show you how it works in life. If you want to major in business this would be a great book for you. Mr. Mennis tells about starting up a new business and how to work the stock market, so it doesn't work you. Mennis believes that the five best ideas for understanding investments are listing specific goals, how to meet these goals, set an absolute rate of return so you can see it your goal is realistic, a time in which to measure your results and to determine the risks involved before getting into a situation you can't get out of. If you still want more info buy the book, it's a great way to learn about the U.S. Economy.
Rating:
Summary: information at your fingertips
Review: this is the handiest book i've found that provides organized historical economic data and information where to find more past and present data. it is a great introduction to understanding what all the data really means that is published on a regular basis.
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