Microeconomic Theory

I have read three graduate level Microeconomic Thoery texts: Mas-Colell, et al. Microeconomic Theory, Varian's Microeconomic Analysis, and Krep's A Course in Microeconomic Theory.Mas-Colell is generally the most detailed, inclusive book that must be on the shelf of any serious economist. It has its weak points; however, it is the best that there is for learning the basics of microeconomic theory. Note that this book is generally the text of choice for the first year of graduate study at most all of the top econ programs.The math requirements for getting the most out of this book are fairly heavy. With out a good math for economists course, this book is very difficult to use.Kreps book takes on more of the game theory approach. This is very interesting for the game/decision theorist, and is a highly recommended in addition to Mas-Colell for those with these interests.Varian is often used in masters degree level graduate programs, and lower-level phd programs. At Cornell, Varian covered most of the information from the first semester of microeconomics, but provided virtually no help after that.It is not as intense as Mas-Colell. However, it is often very helpful in its own right. For students who are using Mas-Colell in their courses, but are struggling to grasp all of the concepts, Varian presents the information in a more "user-friendly" way. He spends more time explaining the concepts using english rather than math, which can be very helpful to someone just starting out.Additionally, I found the practice problems and examples in Varian very helpful when studying for exams.In summary, all serious economists usually have Mas-Colell. Other than that, choose your additional books based on your needs and interests.

The Holy Bible of the first year Econ PhD student. Sure, some sections are more poorly done than others, but you can’t not have MWG.

If there is a textbook that every student of economics needs to read is this one: The difference between understanding this book and not is the difference between a layman and an economist. I am an undergraduate student and I have used this book for self study since I noticed that my university didn't show me the real deal (in the undergraduate courses) in the matter of economic theory.The book gives a complete overview of the modern mathematical economic theory in a clear and accessible way, in contrast to the inaccessible style of specialized books and articles, but not dumbed down like other textbooks. The books has a quite walrasian flavor, since the main author is a distinguished scholar that works in the neowalrasian tradition.The book is divided into 5 sections, individual decision making, game theory, partial equilibrium analysis, general equilibrium analysis and social choice theory and mechanism design. Each section carefully explains the basic theorems of each field and it's main results in a very accessible way and gives the reader basic understanding of their meaning and consequences in understanding economic phenomena. The best section is the one about general equilibrium, following the walrasian tone of the books as whole.Some have criticized the book, since it didn't contain any passages about public choice theory and new institutional economics. Well, I agree that these fields are very important but if the book had to include everything, it would have 3,000 pages. So the author selected some of the most important areas of research, with covers modern equilibrium economics at its best.

So I rented this book from Andreu Mas-Colell for a class I took. I didn't use this book much since we basically studied based on professor's slides, which means I seldom opened the book! And after last semester I returned this book. Over one month later, I got the book back and they told me the book was damaged and they charged me over 100 dollars! I checked the book, there is a hole on the back cover. But it wasn't me! I didn't even use the book and it was just on my bookshelf for the whole semester. How could they return the book to me, claiming that I damaged the book after I have returned the book for over a month?! Fine, if you found that I damaged the book. Return it to me and charge me as soon as you got the book. But over a month? Anything could happen. Now you said I damaged book? How ironic. Besides, I DIDN'T damage the book because I even didn't use it. The most DISHONEST bookseller I have ever seen!

It is the main reference for a Micro-theorist. The pervasive use of mathematics makes it effective and direct to the point. It can be sometimes harder to understand, especially for beginners to the subsject, but penetrating the method for analysis that authors follows comes naturally as you deepen into the subject.

Arrived in excellent condition.

Llegó en muy perfectas condiciones.

Always good to have this book for any microeconomics courses. The bible.

The cover is not the same, but the content is page by page exactly the same.

Surprisingly good for real-life examples and application. Hasn't failed me on any topic yet.