ProReviewing
Posted December 26, 2010
Ever wished that Market Economics 101 was written in the form of an easily accessible story? Well, wish no more-Rich & Lost in Prosperia is here to help ease all your nightmares of that particular subject. Inspired to teach young people about economics in a creative and enjoyable way, longstanding economist Doramas Jorge-Calderón has come up with a tropical tale set on a couple of neighboring isles that helps explain the basics of what typically is a dry and dusty subject. Young adults will love this adventure story of how two dudes master the basics of island life to their entrepreneurial mutual benefit. And, no, it's not all fiction, but grounded in solid Economics theory, which is presented in straightforward point form, in between chapters containing the unraveling of the story, in which the principles can be seen in practice.
Richy, one of the cool dudes referred to earlier, is a native of Prosperia, which is depicted as "an ocean island between the tropic and the equator, not too far from the continent." Though he would have loved to have gone to college and study (right, I didn't say the story line was particularly credible, now did I?), he wasn't able to, as he'd been a lousy scholar. However, our anti-hero and ostensible island dropout has big dreams-he wants to run his own business and be free (somewhat of a dichotomy in terms, m'thinks.), so, being an exploratory soul (with the mega ambition of taking a long trip to the neighboring island of Stagnia), he sets about realizing his dream. Alongside this young guy with inflationary hopes is another local 20s+ character, whose sole ambition is to make boodle, and lots of it. When Richy is taken in hand by a handy economics prof, things really start to rumble. These are only a few of the entertaining characters who make up the cast of this novel come introductory text to market economics. Boring it most definitely isn't, with the plot dealing with a range of relevant topics, including privilege, profit, trust, respect, trickery, professionalism, smuggling, half-truths, competition and passion. A positive maelstrom of delights.
Seriously though, this 281-page book is a gem, and well worth reading by any youngster who feels overwhelmed by unwieldy subject matter and the straitjacket of hardcore academia. Now if only Jorge-Calderón would loose himself on a couple of other subjects, like law, IT, and suchlike I'm sure that the younger generation would be only the happier.
I found Rich and Lost in Prosperia to be a very informative, interesting book. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book because it helps open your eyes when it comes to spending habits and always wanting more. Four stars.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This most unusual novel begins with two men, Richy and Losto, who decide to begin a small business in handcrafts and music respectively. They know absolutely nothing about business and are initially only interested in making enough money to have an easy life. But as their inquiry and start-up businesses begin growing, they are about to discover that many elements contribute to economic success and that that flows over to affect numerous individuals who either produce or purchase products.
So begins this economic novel, which explains the complex world of business in a readable, clear manner. As the chapters progress, Richy learn that value comes from scarcity rather than having a surplus of products, that value comes from the worth of a product which transfers to all who contribute to its production, that producers will make what brings the highest profit rather than what sells the most in quantity, that trust is absolutely necessary and cannot be guaranteed without some type of controls, and so much more.
Yes, one must even plan on those who would cheat, those who would monopolize as well as who is legally able to do that and who is not and how that is achieved, those who seek and make subsidies for certain products that actually drive up the price for said products, and on and on and on.
For those entrepreneurs who are interested in starting up a new business or even those who are in business and finding they need to learn more in order to be successful, this is the book for you. It actually would be a great idea for all consumers to buy this book so as to understand the forces of economy that push the cycle of production, sales, profit, value, scarcity, and so many other economic factors usually taken for granted by the average non-business oriented consumer. All in all, this is market economics for everyman!
Very nicely done, Doramas Jorge-Calderon!
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