Economics for Pleasure by G. L. S. ShackleReview by: B. S. KeirsteadThe Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science / Revue canadienne d'Economique etde Science politique, Vol. 27, No. 1 (Feb., 1961), p. 126Published by: Wiley on behalf of Canadian Economics AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/139416 .

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126 Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science

This is wise, for it serves its purpose well. It has made a notable contribution to the struggles of those trying to understand the mathematical formulations of dynamic models in economic theory:

The early parts on the more descriptive and historical material have been changed little. In chapter vii, (p. 121), the introduction of the examples of the backward rising supply curve and the forward falling supply curve helps to discriminate between the short and long run in assessing the Walras-Hicks and the Marshallian market dynamics; this was a weak point in the earlier edition. On the other hand, on page 18, the impression is left that Malthus depended heavily on the theory of diminishing returns, whereas his basic theory was of a geometrically increasing curve pressing up on an arithmetically increasing one.

The later parts are changed by the addition of three new chapters which imply rather "more of the same thing." That is, we have here an excellent introduction to the analysis of difference and differential equations. The expo- sition is now more complete and it pushes further into simultaneous systems. This second edition will serve even better than the first edition to fulfil the important purpose envisaged by the authors. The plural is used advisedly because Baumol points out that Turvey has done more for this book than merely to make a "contribution." [E. F. BEACH]

Economics for Pleasure, by G. L. S. SHACKLE (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press [Toronto: The Macmillan Company of Canada Limited], 1959, pp. x, 269, $4.25). This is a delightful book, wonderfully contrived for its purpose, and written with gaiety and wit. It reminds one that economics is important to the layman, and that it can be quite as much fun as it was with Adam Smith. Like Marshall, the author, an excellent mathematician, has worked out his propositions in rigorous logical terms, probably in mathematical terms, but they are all translated into lucid and readable English prose. One could wish that other mathematical economists had an equal command of language, which, after all, is a method of communication at least as important as mathematics.

There is comment on method, often amusingly unorthodox, there are the principal propositions of received theory, sometimes presented with a touch of irony, and there are candid observations of the economic scene which do not usually appear in the textbooks. As one would expect from its author, who wrote Mathematics at the Fireside, the book is sheer delight. It proves that the sophisticated economist can communicate with the layman. It may also be not without value to the professional economist. Some of us become a little hide-bound, some a little arrogant. Wit, leavened with a touch of humility, may be a good prescription for all of us. [B. S. KEIRSTEAD]

As Others See Us: The United States through Foreign Eyes, edited by FRANz M. JOSEPH (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1959, pp. viii, 360, $6.00). If Canadians do indeed find themselves the most fascinating subject, as Pro- fessor James Eayrs suggests in his stimulating Canadian contribution to this collective portrait of the United States by visitors from twenty countries, they tend to find their neighbours' national characteristics the next most fascinating.

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