Field Guide to Us Economy

Folbre, a professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts, and other academics present an overview of economic matters in a simple, easily absorbed style. They discuss ""Wages Around the World,'' showing hourly compensation for manufacturing workers in various countries, and note that ``in terms of output per hour, U.S. workers are still among the most productive in the world.'' They show that the average U.S. farmer's debt has grown from 10 cents on every dollar of assets in 1950 to 20 cents on every dollar in 1984. They show changes in personal taxes (i.e., social security and income tax) as a percentage of personal income since 1950 (``the historical trend'' is ever upward). The book's slant is to the political left, but, whatever the reader's point of view, there is much solid information here that is presented clearly and accompanied by charts and graphics. (January)