In this book (the twelfth edition) every economic subject is very well explained without difficult mathemayical concepts. People who like the mathematical approach can find something in the appendix. There are a lot of examples about real facts happened to real companies (Microsoft,...) or organization (OPEC...). The logic approach and the examples are very usefull for a beginner that first of all has to understand the main concepts rather than struggling in a difficult language or math.

The authors have explained all principles with remarkable ease taking numerous to the point examples.

Ralph Joseph has catured the essence of the challenges and solutions inherent in professional jewelry appraising for insurance. Written in an easy to read style and sprinkled with amusing anecdotes from his professional experience, this book dispenses sound information in a stimulating and entertaining format. G.E. Sherman, GG, ISA-CAPP

I have truly enjoyed the experience of this book. Ralph Blum has kept true to form in writing this work. It is easy to follow and very informative. If you are new to Rune Craft this book is a must have! If you are and old pro, it is most likely in your collection now. Few books contain the most basic insights to casting runes, this work not only portrays them but does so accuratly. It offers several approaches to rune casting and rune play, the rune play totally new to Ralph Blum's works. Plus several new methods of rune casting make this book a fresh addition to any collection. The fact that this book comes with its own set of runes plus guidelines for attaining a new set, make it one of the best selections possible for a beginner or the simply curious. As a veteran reader of Ralph Blum this book truly stands out. I would recommend this book to anyone who is simply curious or just beginning in the art of Rune Craf

Blum's book is a great read. At a little over 150 pages, it is a small book with a lot of information that is presented well and is easy to follow. There are drawings of each of the 25 runes.

Blum suggests using Runes as a method of "guidance and self-counseling." I have been using Rune readings to gain insight to my life for over 6 years now. To the interested reading out there: the way Blum has written the book, Runes are not meant to be a parlor trick ("You will inherit a lot of money...") but rather a spirtual tool. Blum compares our quests to that of the "spiritual warrior". His explanation of the meaning of each rune stone uses expressions like "right action" (how often have we all prayed for the right action to take in a situation? ) and "perseverance" (after all, only through perseverance does one grow...)

I highly recommend this book, and using Rune Readings in your daily life. Again, they're not going to predict the future, but they may give you a clue to your present situation.

I discovered this little book about 8 years ago, at a time in my life when I needed to seek answers from deep within myself. I had tried the Tarot and several other methods of divination, but none of them really clicked with me. However, I immediately felt comfortable with the runes and Ralph Blums book on the subject. Now, as you read some of the other reviews, you will find several people who truly detest Mr. Blum's work and see it as an affront to "true runic masters". That's all well and good, but I would guess that the vast majority of people contemplating purchasing this book are anything but runic masters and just want a written source that will give them a good start. If you are one of those individuals, then this is the book for you. As for the rune stones themselves...okay, they are not works of art, but they serve the purpose...and in the end, that is all that matters. Yes, you undoubtably will want to make your own at some point, but probably not in the beginning, and that's fine. These little stones, as crude as they may be, will do the trick. I have found great wisdom in the messages of these runes and a greater understanding of my own inner world. This book is a great tool in the quest for spiritual awakening. I have recently felt the need for a more in depth understanding of the runes and have discovered Edred Thorsson's books on the subject. He is definitely a runic master of the highest order and I would recommend him to anyone who already has an understanding of the rune stones and is ready to move to another level. But, Mr. Blum's book is an excellent resource as well and I wouldn't hesitate for a moment in recommending it.

The Parkin book is dumb down but so much so that you dont understand Microeconomics the way you'll need to if you plan on taking advanced theory, money and banking, etc.

I prefer McConnell Brue who has been the staple and bible of Microeconomics for years!

Smart universities choose McConnell Brue and dumb ones like Micro econ at Rice seem to choose Parkin.

Parkin's text was designed for the beginning economics student. Those who state that the text is not rigorous enough should understand the text was not written for the advanced student. Those who complain that the text is replete with explanations of basic topics do not understand that beginning students need reaffirmation of presented concepts. Parkin's text strives to appeal to the broad base of students without the dilution that seems to occur when a text is written with "non-majors" in mind. I read several introductory texts before adopting the Parkin text for my advanced placement class. I chose the Parkin text because it provided the optimum mix of rigor and explanation, without sacrificing analysis (within a mathematical context) for a purely verbal approach.

I have used Parkin as an auxilliary source for my micro 102 classes for years. His examples are products that can be related to by 19-year-olds, AND he does not use wheat or other perfectly competitive products to exemplify a downward sloping demand curve! Many other do, which causes great confusion among the students. What is wrong with careful, thoughtful, comprehensive explanations of concepts that are difficult for first time micro students? He covers several complicated topics that are left out of the more highly rated texts by Mankiw and others. I am wondering if we are even rating the same book...I give it the maximum rating!