"This book is the first to introduce case studies into the intermodaz macroeconomics course. Almost every chapter contains at least one case study that analyzes particular historical episodes from the point of view of the theory. Case studies treat not just recent macroeconomic events; they also illustrate interesting features of the Great Depression of the 1930s. The case studies help give the student a breather from the theory. Once per chapter, and sometimes more often, he or she is reminded that the theoretical curves do not describe an ivory-tower dream world but are actually useful in explaining major episodes of economic history and of the recent past.
Many other learning devices are included to aid student comprehension. Color is used consistently in diagrams. Each chapter ends with a summary. a list of concepts for the student to identify, and a set of discussion ques- tions. Equations are always accompanied by numerical examples. A glossary of terms is included in the back of the book. Historical data are listed in Appendix B. A full list of these pedagogical aids is presented below."