Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2014 -

Examining economic reasoning and relative economic conditions affords insight into and awareness of a great many consequential beliefs, policies, and behaviors.  As this scholarly book amply illustrates, gender has playedand continues to playa significant role in many of these actions and outcomes.  Eswaran (Univ. of British Columbia, Canada) outlines issues and policies with profound consequences, and he does so in the context of relevant scholarly research.  Consequently, the book provides a practical understanding of how economic reasoning informs discussions around such topics as the balance of power in households, labor markets, wealth, credit markets, fertility and health care, marriage, suffrage, and empowerment.  Exploring market and nonmarket settings as well as the developed and developing worlds, the author examines the implications and consequences of gender on the economic, social, and political lives of women and their children, families, and communities.  This book is a comprehensive and discerning work that should provide readers with the context and understanding to more effectively comprehend the substantive economic role of gender.  It is recommended for a wide audience of interested readers ranging from undergraduates to graduate students and researchers.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above.