Popular Economics

Forbes editor John Tamny uses entertaining stories from sports, movies, popular culture, and famous businesses to demonstrate the basic principles of economics. The Rolling Stones, the Dallas Cowboys, and Paris Hilton become examples of good and bad tax policy. The Godfather, Gone With the Wind, and The Sopranos reveal the downside of antitrust regulation, while the Michigan Wolverines’ 2007 loss to Appalachian State explains why regulations often fail to achieve their intended purpose. NBA star LeBron James’ exploits on the basketball court illustrate free trade and comparative advantage, while the cooking of chicken wings makes the case for a stable dollar.

Popular Economics is an everyman’s guide to how money really works—a lesson politicians try (and fail) to grasp every day.

“"Want to understand the vital purpose of stable money in a free-market economy? Read John Tamny's chapters on the importance of reliable standards”

--whether you are measuring ingredients for a chicken wings recipe, constructing a house, or timing athletes running the forty-yard dash--and you will fully comprehend that money is meant to provide a dependable measure of value. Tamny's writing throughout this brilliant book rings with clarity and consistency; you will be left wondering why these same qualities don't apply to our money." --Judy Shelton, author of Money Meltdown. "Popular Economics is an essential 21st century complement to Henry Hazlitt's Economics In One Lesson. In a book that is happily free of charts and incomprehensible equations, John Tamny uses exciting stories from the world around us to show the reader that nothing is easier than economic growth. Popular Economics is the answer for those confused by the 'dismal science.'" --Arthur Laffer, economist, creator of the "Laffer Curve" "John's book is many things. It's a great way to learn economics, it's a very strong case for economic liberty, and it is an epic myth-buster. I will be giving it out to friends, of all viewpoints, for a long long time." --Cliff Asness, Managing Principal, AQR Capital "Ignore John Tamny's easy to read, Popular Economics, at your own moral peril. It's as close to spiritual as you get in this realm--a better tutorial than any econ text. I'd make it mandatory for the 95% of econ majors--right up through PhDs--who never really got the basics. While making you edgy toward the endless societal consensus nonsense it cuts through like a guillotine--it also frees you to see the true creative beauty of reality all around us." --Ken Fisher, Founder & CEO, Fisher Investments "In a revelatory analysis of the so-called 'financial crisis,' John Tamny makes the unexpected case that the actual crisis was the huge banking blunder of betting the investment capital of the U.S. economy on housing, a retrospective consumption good already grossly in over supply. Confirming the blunder, government under both Bush and Obama bailed out the banks and debauched the dollar, devaluing the entire entrepreneurial economy of the future. Rare is a book so contrary, so pithy, and so true." --George Gilder, author of Knowledge & Power "John Tamny offers a wide ranging analysis of some of the most pressing issues facing the American economy today, from income inequality and job creation to budget deficits and tax reform. Through engaging examples and stories, he provides a thought-provoking argument in favor of a free market approach to economic growth. Whether you agree with him or not, there is no question that his perspective needs to be part of the discussion on American economy policy in the new millennium." --Enrico Moretti, Professor of Economics, Cal-Berkeley, author of The New Geography of Jobs

John Tamny is the editor of RealClearMarkets and the Political Economy editor at Forbes, where he also has a weekly column. He is a senior director with the Cato Institute and a senior economic advisor to Toreador Research & Trading.

Mr. Tamny frequently writes about tax, trade, and monetary policy issues for a variety of publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, Financial Times, National Review, and London’s Daily Telegraph. He also recently wrote The End of Work.

As a regular panelist on Fox News’ Forbes on Fox, he has appeared as a financial expert on numerous television shows, including Your World with Neil Cavuto, and CNBC’s Kudlow Report. Mr. Tamny lives with his wife, Kendall, in Washington, D.C.

Forbes editor John Tamny uses entertaining stories from sports, movies, popular culture, and famous businesses to demonstrate the basic principles of economics. The Rolling Stones, the Dallas Cowboys, and Paris Hilton become examples of good and bad tax policy. The Godfather , Gone With the Wind , and The Sopranos reveal the downside of antitrust regulation, while the Michigan Wolverines' 2007 loss to Appalachian State explains why regulations often fail to achieve their intended purpose. NBA star LeBron James' exploits on the basketball court illustrate free trade and comparative advantage, while the cooking of chicken wings makes the case for a stable dollar. Popular Economics is an everyman's guide to how money really works--a lesson politicians try (and fail) to grasp every day.

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