For readers with no background in economics or mathematics, Walden (agricultural and resource economics, North Carolina State U.) addresses some of the major economic questions in the news, not so much answering them as explaining the underlying issues and the criteria for making a decision. Among them are whether war helps the economy, whether Americans pay 60-80% of their income in taxes, whether low-paying jobs are replacing high-paying ones, and whether women earn less than men. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR