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Addison Wesley Search Addison Wesley by Prof Michael P. Todaro Stephen C Smith Search Prof Michael P. Todaro Stephen C Smith
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Customer Reviews:
Excellent choice for Economics undergraduates
As a third year studying Economics this book was incredibly helpful and offered brilliant insight into so many issues.
Tackles almost every topic of Development economics you can think of from Agriculture and Industry to theories of Growth and the debt crisis.
Even with so many areas being covered it definately doesn't avoid detail, but explains things in an easy to understand way. I think what probably sets itself apart from other books like Perkins is that it doesn't ignore important issues that are crucial to understanding the whole story. This is well supported by interesting case studies which break up the sometimes tiring theory.
Definately recommended
broad coverage and non-mathematical 
An excellent introductory book if you are looking for a broad study of the subject.
If you have never taken an economics course before then this could be a somewhat confusing read, especially if you wish to understand the models used. A basic first-year course/book would be ideal.
Still, you should still be able to understand the majority of this book if you have not studied economics before; Todaro does a good job in explaining the economic models he presents: 95% of this book is text, 4% graphs and 1% maths.
The main analytical tool used is graphs, and the little mathematics that's used is on the same level as most introductory courses in mathematical. Some chapters do have mathematical treatments in the appendix, but even these are quite basic - as long as you know what differentials are and how to calculate them you're safe.
The language used is easy to understand, and the exercises are all in discussion format.
Todaro writes in a no-nonsense way, he tells it as it is, which I found very refreshing after only having read formal and "traditional" books on economics beforehand.
He focuses on the humanistic or socio-cultural aspects of development economics rather than technical, i.e. mathematical, analysis.
I especially liked how each chapter has case study where a specific country is studied, in my edition these countries were analyzed: Brazil, Nigeria, Cuba, Malaysia, South Korea, Argentina, India, South Africa, China, Kenya, Mexico, Egypt, Bangladesh, Ghana, Pakistan, Taiwan, Venezuela, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Jamaica, Uganda, Chile, Poland.
This is a very broad and multidisciplinary book that goes into a range of areas: economics, culture/anthropology, politics etc. so it should suit alot of people in different fields.
I think this book does an excellent job of representing Development Economics as a strand of economics in itself, as opposed to being "applied macroeconomics".
The book is best suited for those studying: development, demographics, economic growth, international economics, international studies...
BUT, if you want something that has more technical analysis, i.e. more math, then this is a good book: Introduction to Development Economics.
Very good in depth chapters covering all areas of subject.
Gives a good insight into the issues of trade and development. Both from traditional economic standpoints and more recent thoughts gained from economic research. Provides good statistical data and case studies on each chapter to help highlight the chapters concept. Includes chapters on economic institutions, theories on growth, poverty and income distribution, unemployment and trade theory plus much more. Loses one star only because on certain subjects does not go as in depth as one would like.
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