An Economic Querist

Professor Shackle's book is written along the lines of a Greek dialogue which presents an extremely condensed version of a mass of accepted economic insights. The author aims questions at the undefended sectors of the economist's fortress, and the result is an introduction to economic theory which it is a pleasure to read.

This book is unusual in several ways, most obviously because it is written along the lines of a Greek dialogue. It contains a great deal of highly condensed economic theory conveyed by means of a series of questions and answers, Professor Shackle aims questions at the undefended sectors of the economist's fortress, and presents in this form an extremely condensed version of a mass of accepted economic insights. The result is an introduction to economic theory which it is a pleasure to read. The questions which Professor Shackle asks are provocative and serve to focus the reader's attention. Professor Shackle strikes a happy balance between adopting a broad approach and providing instruction in basic economic concepts. His emphasis on the psychology of the individual decision maker and the innate uncertainties of the economic system provides the student with a much more mature view than most expositions.