Navigation: About CHS Media Center Contact Information History Contributors Special Programs Service Learning Programs Enrichment Programs Special Projects Independent Study School Store Class Fundraising Class of 2008 Class of 2009 Class of 2010 Class of 2011 District Homepage PTA High School Years Outside Resources To the 2008-2009 AP Macroeconomics Students: I am pleased to inform you of this year's AP Macroeconomics Summer Reading selection, so you can begin to prepare yourself for the daunting task of solving all of the worlds' economic problems. I have selected The Undercover Economist: Exposing Why The Rich Are Rich, The Poor Are Poor-And Why You Can Never Buy A Decent Used Car by Tim Harford. The book is a fun read, with interesting anecdotal stories, as well as insightful economic analysis of an array of subjects. It spent many weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list, creating a whole new genre of popular economic analysis. Summer Reading Assignment 1. Read the book! Don't wait until the last minute. Get a copy right away and take it with you everywhere - the beach, the pool, to work (but not if you work for me), etc. All of your friends will be really impressed and when you can tell them how they are getting ripped off by certain companies and what to watch out for when investing in the stock market. 2. Write responses to the following 3 questions about the book. Each answer should be at least a full paragraph in length and demonstrate that you have read and thought about the book. Your answers should be typed and will be turned in on the first day of school. 1. After reading this book, do you believe that the corporate world is ripping us off on a regular basis, or are we willing participants in the big economic game? Be sure to give thoughtful analysis and examples from the book. 2. What does the author contend needs to happen in order to stop the poorest countries from becoming poorer? Compare/contrast this with the traditional view of how poor countries historically catch up to the rich ones e.g. China and India. 3. Explain and analyze the effects of globalization on both the rich countries and the world's poor countries. 3. During the first week of school, you will discuss the book in class and you will be given a test on The Undercover Economist. Back to Summer Assignments ©2004- Cranford High School Cranford, New Jersey