The typical economics primer is a weighty tome whose content is not noted for its ability to inspire its readers. In addition, by adhering to the time-worn principle of treating the subject as a "positive" science, the pretence that it has no political ramifications is carefully crafted. Most who choose to continue their study of economics are thus indoctrinated into the myth of market versus state, and the "impartiality" of economic "scientists". For example, not for a minute is the state's actual role in propping up the "market" given its due consideration -- that would overly complicate matters, and spoil the pretty theoretical models. Conventional economics' public relations work for our political economic system would also suffer.

For those interested in how the real world works, this book offers an introduction to economics like no other. The breadth of its coverage and depth of its discussions put the authors of other conventional texts to shame for their blasé treatments of intensely political issues they describe as "purely economic", as if there could be such a thing. This is Political Economy writ large, and the connectedness of the political and the economic forms the basis of Stretton's revision of the entire corpus of economics.

For an accessible, well-written, and wholly serious treatment of an essential subject, beginners and experienced alike would be hard put to find a better source of its kind.