Economics seems designed to confuse, but Tim Harford argues that macroeconomics, the study of whole economies, can be understood by anyone willing to think carefully. The Undercover Economist Strikes Back takes the form of a dialogue between author and reader, working through questions about recessions, inflation, unemployment, and growth in accessible language. Harford, a columnist for the Financial Times and author of several popular economics books, explains why economies crash and how they recover, what central banks do and why their powers are limited, how governments can stimulate demand and what happens when they do not. He describes the competing theories that economists bring to these questions, from Keynesian arguments for government spending to monetarist focus on money supply to newer approaches that emphasize financial instability. The book is not neutral; Harford has views and shares them. But he explains opposing positions fairly, allowing readers to understand debates rather than simply accept conclusions. He grounds abstract concepts in examples and thought experiments, making the dismal science less dismal and more comprehensible. Readers who want to understand economic news, evaluate political arguments about policy, or simply satisfy curiosity about how economies work will find this book a clear and entertaining guide.