Regarding Bowles and Edwards "Understanding Capitalism" - I wholeheartedly agree that it is a huge step up from standard texts and is well written for advanced students. But I was unable to use it for Principles as it was too advanced conceptually and mathematically for my students (mostly working class, first generation college) especially when I tried to cover some obligatory mainstream stuff with it. I found the first part excellent (and the study guide/instructors manual adds more great material) but the later parts hard going and too exclusively focused on the labor process (I was using it for a micro course.) and with too many complex equations. It seems more geared to an upper level political economy course than to principles at least for my students. I also have some principled problems with the Market-socialoist view point of the authors but thats secondary to these problems and would like to use it if it included more mainstream stuff and broadened out its critique beyond just the labor process and "efficiency wage" stuff - the macro part I'm not so familiar with. This is just my two cents for what its worth - I wish I had an alternative and I still think Bowles and Edwards should be commended for trying and doing a generally greqt job. I think Frank Thompson may be working on a new edition with them or with Bowles at least, ....got to go In Solidarity, Ron BAIMAN
