Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?

Description

This clearly written, award-winning book about economics is a remarkably easy and fun explanation of money (its origin and history), the dollar (its origin and history), investment cycles, velocity, business cycles, recessions, inflation, the demand for money, government (its economic behavior), and more. All explanations and interpretations are according to the Austrian and Monetarist schools of economic theory.

Using the epistolary style of writing (using letters to tell a story), author Richard J. Maybury plays the part of an economist (Uncle Eric) writing a series of letters to his niece or nephew (Chris). Using stories and examples (including historical events from Ancient Rome), Mr. Maybury explains economic principles, giving interesting and clear explanations of topics that are generally thought to be too difficult for anyone but experts. Mr. Maybury warns, “Beware of anyone who tells you a topic is above you or better left to experts. Many people are twice as smart as they think they are, but they’ve been intimidated into believing some topics are above them. You can understand almost anything if it is explained well.”

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? is essential for every student, businessperson and investor. It was recommended by the late William Simon, former U.S. Treasury Secretary and is also on many recommended reading lists (see reviews), and has, as part of the Uncle Eric series, been voted a First Place Winner in the Government Category of Mary Pride’s Practical Homeschooling© Reader Awards™! for the past four years.

To improve the student’s learning experience, also purchase the student study guide for Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? titled A Bluestocking Guide: Economics

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Table of Contents

(NOTE: Bolded titles are for older students; non-bolded items are for all students)

About the Uncle Eric Series
Quantity Discounts Available
A Note to Educators
Study Guide Available
Acknowledgements
Contents
Author’s Disclosure
Preface
A Note About Economics
Beyond the Basics
A Note to Readers

1. Money: Coins and Paper
2. Tanstaafl, The Romans, and Us
3. Inflation
4. Dollars, Money, and Legal Tender
5. Revolutions, Elections, and Printing Presses
Big Mac Index
6. Wages, Prices, Spirals, and Controls
7. Wallpaper, Wheelbarrows, and Recessions
A Partial List of Runaway Inflations
Boom and Bust Cycle Since the Civil War
8. Fast Money
History Repeats
9. Getting Rich Quick
10. The Boom and Bust Cycle
Fear Has Become the Driver
11. How Much is a Trillion?
The Roaring 90s
Federal Debt Chart
12. What’s So Bad About the Federal Debt?
An Interesting Exercise
One Reason Governments Spend So Much
13. Summary
What Happened in 2008?
The Unknown Shakeout
14. Where Do We Go From Here?
15. Natural Law and Economic Prosperity
Nations and Legal Systems

Appendix

Excerpt from The Long Winter
Sutter’s Fort Trade Store Sign
Comparison of Law Chart
Distilled Wisdom
The Truth About Inflation
The Oil Myth
Measures of Money Supply
Supply of Dollars Chart
Real Wages
Real Wages Chart
How to Invest in Gold and Silver
Resources
Movies and Documentaries
Websites
Financial Newsletters
Bibliography and Recommended Reading
Glossary

Index
About Richard J. Maybury
Bluestocking Press

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Reviews

COMMENTS and REVIEWS about previous editions of Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?

“I have been searching for an economics course that would be suitable for middle school students. Much to my pleasure, I found exactly what I was looking for in Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship for Middle School Students by Bluestocking Press!

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? was recommended to me over and over, which was what originally led me to the Bluestocking Press site. I was overjoyed to find an entire curriculum set for middle school students that included not only the book I was looking for, but three others!

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? is a simply written book of 15 chapters that helps students (and adults like me) understand the basics of the economics system in the United States. Not only that, but it incorporates history and current events in as well.

In real terms that aren’t weighty and hard-to-grasp, your children will finish this book with more information than I was ever taught (even in college) about such things as wages, inflation, recessions, federal debt, and so much more. Even better, there’s a common-sense sort of humor to the book that kept me chuckling all the way through.”
— Cindy West, March 4, 2011, The Curriculum Choice, http://thecurriculumchoice.com)

“Must reading for anyone who wishes to understand the basics of our free enterprise system.”  — William E. Simon, Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury

“Probably the best short course in economics around… Buy a dozen and give them to friends. This is a great book!”  — Douglas Casey, Author Crisis Investing and Strategic Investing

“You’ll be looking for someone to share it with as soon as you’ve finished it.”  — Barbara Brabec, Editor National Home Business Report

“This one slim volume can and should replace at least one full shelf of weighty tomes.”  — by Karl Hess, Author Capitalism for Kids

“A brilliant book.”  — John Taylor Gatto, New York State Teacher of the Year

“The book is excellent… There is a definite need for material about this difficult subject, and this book should be added to all collections serving middle- and intermediate-grade readers.”  — School Library Journal

“This book has been endorsed by educators, authors, and government officials for its unique contribution to the education of consumers from childhood to adulthood.”  — PTA Today

“Highly recommended.”  — Mary Pride, Author

“I want to thank you for publishing the Uncle Eric books. Last year our family enjoyed reading Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? together, we all enjoyed it. I loved that it appealed to everyone in our family. My husband and I learned from it, and so did all of my kids right down to the six year old. It was wonderful to hear the kids asking daddy to read more from a book on economics. It opened up many discussions for us to have as a family as well.” —Reader G.H.

“I’m thirteen years old and in the eighth grade. Just recently my mom found your book, Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?, and wanted me to read it. I told her, ‘I wasn’t interested in learning about politics because I can never understand it.’ Well, your book proved me wrong. I not only found it to be very understandable, but it was very informative in teaching me about how today’s government operates. I’m looking forward to reading many more of your wonderful, and down to earth books!” —Reader A.H.

“My son made me aware of your books after some conversations about economics and my wish for a better understanding of the subject without reading many of the complicated books available at the book stores. He loaned me his copy ofPenny Candy and now I want the whole set. Thanks for making it so simple to grasp!!” —Reader E.A.S.

“Great book for children to learn the history of economics. We had a home school group ages 6th grade to 11th. Even for adults there is something new to learn. He has a great way of putting it so the kids can learn and get it.” —Reader L.B.

“I am a ninth-grade student who is homeschooled, and we are using your material for text this year. I just finished reading Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? and I love it!!! I always thought politics, economics, and the legal system was boring and confusing; but your book made learning them fun and easy.” —Reader K.M.

“I’m ten years old and in fifth grade. I read one of your books called Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? It is a marvelous book. I learned a lot about inflation, what taxes were, and what a real coin was. I didn’t know that what we call money is not a real coin. I learned a lot from that book…You answered all my questions that I never really thought would be answered.” —Reader K.S.