Dynamic Economics: Optimization by the Lagrange Method

Rating:
Summary: An alternative to Lucas, Sargent and recursive methods
Review: Most grad students are taught to solve dynamic equilbrium problems using recursive methods. Two of the prominent books that I am familiar with are:
* Thomas Sargent's Dynamic Macroeconomics
* Lucas and Stokey's Recursive Methods in Economic Dynamics

(Note: I see that Sargent has another volume out, Recursive Macroeconomic Theory, with Lars Ljungqvist.)

Chow's book presents a Lagrangian method for dynamic optimization. This is a far easier approach than recursive methods, as anyone who is familiar with simple calculus will attest. Chow presents the method then --and this is the real value of this book-- systematically applies it to familiar market equilibrium, financial, business cycle, game theory, and growth models (all dynamic, of course).

BENEFITS:
* Chow's Lagrangian method removes mathematical obstacles to understanding important macroeconomic models
* Chow is a good writer, and this book is far easier to understand than the two books listed above
* This is a great reference for grad students looking for foundations for your own research