Customer Rating: 
Summary: Warning! - Will Change Your Entire Thought Process
Comment: For those of us, (which includes 99% of all Americans) who haven't gotten a proper education in economics, this book will change your life.
Don't worry, there is no math. Through examples and descriptions on causes and effect, Mr. Sowell explains how economics shape our life. He also discusses how government meddling with economics makes things worse. For example, price caps lead to shortages, like when Nixon put price caps on gasoline in the 1970s.
Thomas Sowell's writing style is incredibly easy to read. To take complex theories and be able to present them in a way that the everyday reader can understand is amazing.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Anecdotal
Comment: As a layman wanting to get a clearer view of trade and distribution of resources, I purchased this book, as it seemed to have earned a lot of praise. I was disappointed for a number of reasons:
1. It lacks stringency. The facts and messages could easily have been conveyed in a book a third of its size, which would actually have made it more readable. I usually enjoy examples to illustrate statements, but Mr. Sowell makes the same point over and over and over and over again, just using different examples. The point being "laissez faire is our only realistic option".
2. It is terribly biased. I personally love reading The Economist precisely because it IS biased, as it always strive to at least present both sides of an argument, and then take sides. Mr. Sowell makes it very easy on himself, he just makes a statement and then backs it up with anecdotal evidence, so that by the end of the book, you're left with the question "Well, if the one right answer - deregulation - is so obvious, how come all markets are regulated, at least to some extent?" I personally share the author's viewpoint in most cases, but would at least like to know the counterarguments so I can form my own opinion.
3. Quite a few of the examples in the book I have a previous understanding of, and some of the facts presented is just plainly not true. For example, the author often points to Sweden as a warning example and categorically states that "some of the most painful examples of of quality deterioration have occurred in countries where there are price controls on health care". Sweden's (free) health care system leaves a lot to be desired, but it's coverage is greater the American, it's estimated to cost about half as much per capita, and almost all measurable parameters (such as infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, life expectancy etc) show results comparable to or better than the American system. The only significant exception, to my knowledge, being waiting times for elective surgery - which, not surprisingly, is the only illustrative example Sowell presents and elaborates.
I'm sorry - such an obvious disregard for examples and facts that don't fit the author's preconceived notions is a dealbreaker for me.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Basic Economics review
Comment: An excellent companion to The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics. Thomas Sowell explains in easy to understand language how liberal beliefs and actions do more damage than help.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A book for everyone
Comment: Mr Thomas Sowell gives an in depth view of how basic economics works. This book gives historical information on the various kinds of economies found in the world and why they work or do not work. I highly recommend this book for everyone, especially seniors in high school. If every senior student had this book, he/she would be better voters of those who hold positions of power in our country, and would understand the world and economic basics which are the backbone of our nation and other nations in the world.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Very good counterbalance to highly "liberal" texts
Comment: "Basic Economics" by Thomas Sowell is a very good book for the average, curious, citizen, who wants to understand the American economy. It is not written in textbook style, but it is highly readable.
The material is a very good counterbalance to highly "liberal" texts that seem to like governmental interventions and some degree of socialism.
I strongly recommend this book for a better understanding of economics.
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