Recommendations you can check.
Harvard economist and textbook author; writes Greg Mankiw's Blog.
32 things
The Everywhere MillionaireBook Owen Zidar and Eric Zwick
If you want to understand wealth in America, a good place to start is The Everywhere Millionaire by Owen Zidar and Eric Zwick. It offers a fact-filled analysis of the role of pass-through businesses, where many wealthy people make their millions.
A short 'What I've been reading' post
2026-06-21·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
The Genetic LotteryBook Kathryn Harden
The Genetic Lottery by Kathryn Harden is one of the best books I've read in the past several years. It offers a clear and smart discussion of the current state of behavioral genetics and what it means--and, equally important, what it doesn't mean--for public policy.
A short 'What I've Been Reading' post, as a holiday gift idea
2021-12-19·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
PippinOther
By the way, I have heard that the revival of Pippin I saw and loved is moving to New York after its Boston run is over. Highly recommended.
Very quick reviews of films and a stage show
2013-01-14·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Miss RumphiusBook Barbara Cooney
So here are two more. A favorite picture book: Miss Rumphius. A favorite chapter book for young readers: Frindle.
Children's book recommendations
2008-06-11·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
FrindleBook Andrew Clements
So here are two more. A favorite picture book: Miss Rumphius. A favorite chapter book for young readers: Frindle.
Children's book recommendations
2008-06-11·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-TimeBook Mark Haddon
Here are a few of my favorites, which are good reading even for the econ-averse: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon "The Mind-Body Problem" by Rebecca Goldstein "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri "Crossing to Safety" by Wallace Earle Stegner "Happenstance: Two Novels in One About a Marriage in Transition" by Carol Shields
Books for holiday gifts, including his favourite novels
2006-12-14·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
The Mind-Body ProblemBook Rebecca Goldstein
Here are a few of my favorites, which are good reading even for the econ-averse: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon "The Mind-Body Problem" by Rebecca Goldstein "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri "Crossing to Safety" by Wallace Earle Stegner "Happenstance: Two Novels in One About a Marriage in Transition" by Carol Shields
Books for holiday gifts, including his favourite novels
2006-12-14·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Interpreter of MaladiesBook Jhumpa Lahiri
Here are a few of my favorites, which are good reading even for the econ-averse: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon "The Mind-Body Problem" by Rebecca Goldstein "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri "Crossing to Safety" by Wallace Earle Stegner "Happenstance: Two Novels in One About a Marriage in Transition" by Carol Shields
Books for holiday gifts, including his favourite novels
2006-12-14·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Crossing to SafetyBook Wallace Stegner
Here are a few of my favorites, which are good reading even for the econ-averse: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon "The Mind-Body Problem" by Rebecca Goldstein "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri "Crossing to Safety" by Wallace Earle Stegner "Happenstance: Two Novels in One About a Marriage in Transition" by Carol Shields
Books for holiday gifts, including his favourite novels
2006-12-14·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
HappenstanceBook Carol Shields
Here are a few of my favorites, which are good reading even for the econ-averse: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon "The Mind-Body Problem" by Rebecca Goldstein "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri "Crossing to Safety" by Wallace Earle Stegner "Happenstance: Two Novels in One About a Marriage in Transition" by Carol Shields
Books for holiday gifts, including his favourite novels
2006-12-14·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Straight ManBook Richard Russo
Like many who spend their lives in the ivory tower, I enjoy academic satires. That includes Richard Russo's novel Straight Man, the movie Wonder Boys, the TV show The Chair, and many books by David Lodge.
On academic satires he enjoys
2025-08-29·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
The RationingBook Charles Wheelan
The Rationing is Wheelan's first work of fiction, and it is a fun read. It is a smart, fast-paced political thriller, similar to what James Patterson might write.
His first beach read of 2020
2020-01-12·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Zero Dark ThirtyOther
My older son and I saw Zero Dark Thirty over the weekend. Great movie. On par with Argo. Much better than Lincoln, which seems to be the Oscar favorite.
Very quick reviews of films and a stage show
2013-01-14·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Capitalism and FreedomBook Milton Friedman
Here are ten very different books I like that are fun enough that you would not be embarrassed (well, not too embarrassed) reading them at the beach: Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers Paul Krugman, Peddling Prosperity Steven Landsburg, The Armchair Economist P.J. O'Rourke, Eat the Rich Burton Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics John McMillan, Reinventing the Bazaar William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch, Lives of the Laureates
A summer reading list of economics books for a student
2006-05-10·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
The Worldly PhilosophersBook Robert Heilbroner
Here are ten very different books I like that are fun enough that you would not be embarrassed (well, not too embarrassed) reading them at the beach: Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers Paul Krugman, Peddling Prosperity Steven Landsburg, The Armchair Economist P.J. O'Rourke, Eat the Rich Burton Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics John McMillan, Reinventing the Bazaar William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch, Lives of the Laureates
A summer reading list of economics books for a student
2006-05-10·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Peddling ProsperityBook Paul Krugman
Here are ten very different books I like that are fun enough that you would not be embarrassed (well, not too embarrassed) reading them at the beach: Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers Paul Krugman, Peddling Prosperity Steven Landsburg, The Armchair Economist P.J. O'Rourke, Eat the Rich Burton Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics John McMillan, Reinventing the Bazaar William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch, Lives of the Laureates
A summer reading list of economics books for a student
2006-05-10·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
The Armchair EconomistBook Steven Landsburg
Here are ten very different books I like that are fun enough that you would not be embarrassed (well, not too embarrassed) reading them at the beach: Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers Paul Krugman, Peddling Prosperity Steven Landsburg, The Armchair Economist P.J. O'Rourke, Eat the Rich Burton Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics John McMillan, Reinventing the Bazaar William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch, Lives of the Laureates
A summer reading list of economics books for a student
2006-05-10·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Eat the RichBook P.J. O'Rourke
Here are ten very different books I like that are fun enough that you would not be embarrassed (well, not too embarrassed) reading them at the beach: Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers Paul Krugman, Peddling Prosperity Steven Landsburg, The Armchair Economist P.J. O'Rourke, Eat the Rich Burton Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics John McMillan, Reinventing the Bazaar William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch, Lives of the Laureates
A summer reading list of economics books for a student
2006-05-10·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
A Random Walk Down Wall StreetBook Burton G. Malkiel
Here are ten very different books I like that are fun enough that you would not be embarrassed (well, not too embarrassed) reading them at the beach: Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers Paul Krugman, Peddling Prosperity Steven Landsburg, The Armchair Economist P.J. O'Rourke, Eat the Rich Burton Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics John McMillan, Reinventing the Bazaar William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch, Lives of the Laureates
A summer reading list of economics books for a student
2006-05-10·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Thinking StrategicallyBook Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff
Here are ten very different books I like that are fun enough that you would not be embarrassed (well, not too embarrassed) reading them at the beach: Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers Paul Krugman, Peddling Prosperity Steven Landsburg, The Armchair Economist P.J. O'Rourke, Eat the Rich Burton Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics John McMillan, Reinventing the Bazaar William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch, Lives of the Laureates
A summer reading list of economics books for a student
2006-05-10·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
FreakonomicsBook Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
Here are ten very different books I like that are fun enough that you would not be embarrassed (well, not too embarrassed) reading them at the beach: Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers Paul Krugman, Peddling Prosperity Steven Landsburg, The Armchair Economist P.J. O'Rourke, Eat the Rich Burton Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics John McMillan, Reinventing the Bazaar William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch, Lives of the Laureates
A summer reading list of economics books for a student
2006-05-10·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Reinventing the BazaarBook John McMillan
Here are ten very different books I like that are fun enough that you would not be embarrassed (well, not too embarrassed) reading them at the beach: Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers Paul Krugman, Peddling Prosperity Steven Landsburg, The Armchair Economist P.J. O'Rourke, Eat the Rich Burton Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics John McMillan, Reinventing the Bazaar William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch, Lives of the Laureates
A summer reading list of economics books for a student
2006-05-10·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Lives of the LaureatesBook William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch
Here are ten very different books I like that are fun enough that you would not be embarrassed (well, not too embarrassed) reading them at the beach: Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom Robert Heilbroner, The Worldly Philosophers Paul Krugman, Peddling Prosperity Steven Landsburg, The Armchair Economist P.J. O'Rourke, Eat the Rich Burton Malkiel, A Random Walk Down Wall Street Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics John McMillan, Reinventing the Bazaar William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch, Lives of the Laureates
A summer reading list of economics books for a student
2006-05-10·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
BreakneckBook Dan Wang
I finally got around to reading Dan Wang's Breakneck. It is a thoughtful and very readable book that taught me a lot about the Chinese economy and political system. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the topic.
A short 'What I've been reading' post
2026-05-24·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Dear Committee MembersBook Julie Schumacher
The most recent is Julie Schumacher's Dear Committee Members, written as a series of recommendation letters from an increasingly cantankerous creative writing professor. Highly recommended for those who like this genre.
On academic satires he enjoys
2025-08-29·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Milton Friedman: The Last ConservativeBook Jennifer Burns
I just finished reading the biography of Milton Friedman by Jennifer Burns, which came out last year. It is great.
A short book note on Jennifer Burns' Friedman biography
2024-07-01·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Chip WarBook Chris Miller
I just finished reading Chip War by Chris Miller (a professor of international history at Tufts). It is a fascinating history of the semiconductor industry. Relevant for not only economics but also geopolitics. Highly recommended.
A short book note
2023-08-05·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Station ElevenBook Emily St. John Mandel
For obvious reasons, I have have been thinking about a novel I read a couple years ago, called Station Eleven, about the world in the aftermath of a devastating pandemic. Highly recommended.
A novel recommendation at the start of the pandemic
2020-02-26·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
Naked EconomicsBook Charles Wheelan
Readers of this blog may be familiar with Wheelan as the author of Naked Economics, an excellent nontechnical introduction to basic economic ideas, as well as several other nonfiction books.
His first beach read of 2020
2020-01-12·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
The Righteous MindBook Jonathan Haidt
The book is a few years old, but I had not heard of it. It gives readers a lens into the field of moral psychology, together with dashes of philosophy, anthropology, behavioral genetics, political science, and even some behavioral economics. It is a great read. Highly recommended.
His spring-break pleasure reading
2015-03-18·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
The Number DevilBook Hans Magnus Enzensberger
...to my younger son Peter, who is in the third grade: The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure. Highly recommended for nerdy dads (and moms) out there.
A book he read aloud to his son
2008-05-22·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
The Kite RunnerBook Khaled Hosseini
Well, actually listening too, as I drive between my home and the office: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Highly recommended.
A short 'What I've been reading' post
2007-03-12·gregmankiw.blogspot.com ↗
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