If my book turns out to seem important, it will not be because it offers a distinctive view of economics, but because it offers a clear and compelling presentation of the current consensus among economists. Upon publication, reviews of Principles were complimentary, mostly for its improvement in style. Examples of current events and cultural icons like Michael Jordan and Bill Gates have scored points with instructors and students alike. Ultimately, though, McElroy thinks a bigger break is needed from the standard textbook model. Despite the presence of literally dozens of principles textbooks on the market today, there is little difference among the best-selling texts, according to Emmett of Augustana University College.
Research backs up that claim as well.
During a panel discussion on principles texts, Davies of West Virginia says he once raised the issue of organization with a senior editor of a major publisher, arguing that texts followed the same flawed order in presenting material. His response was that he had heard that argument from others, but that no major publishing company wants to risk coming out with a text that is markedly different from the other texts on the market. Also in this issue . Why Johnny can't choose . Economic literacy survey .