Editing Economics (Routledge Frontiers of Political Economy)

In this review of Editing Economics, the book is recommended primarily for historians of economic thought, academic economists, and graduate students seeking a focused collection on Mark Perlman's influence. The volume gathers essays by eighteen scholars that together examine Perlman's editorial legacy at the Journal of Economic Literature and his wider work on labour markets, population growth, health economics, the environment and the history of economics. For readers who want a scholarly, reflective assessment of a single influential figure and of mid-20th century editorial practice, this book provides concentrated, well-sourced perspectives rather than broad textbook coverage.

Key Features

• Collected essays: Eighteen scholars contribute chapters that collectively map Mark Perlman's varied contributions to economic scholarship and editorial practice.
• Editorial history: Detailed discussion of Perlman's tenure as founding editor of the Journal of Economic Literature from 1969 to 1980 highlights how editorial choices shaped the discipline.
• Subject breadth: Chapters address topics from labour markets and population growth to health economics and the environment, offering multidisciplinary relevance.
• Recognition of impact: The volume situates Perlman's work in the context of international recognition, including his designation as a Distinguished Fellow by the History of Economics Society in 2000.
• Scholarly focus: The book emphasizes historical and evaluative scholarship, useful for literature reviews and historiography rather than introductory exposition.

Who It's For

Editing Economics is best for readers already familiar with economic literature who want a deeper understanding of editorial influence and the history of economic ideas. Faculty, graduate students working on historiography of economics, and researchers studying topics Perlman engaged with will find the essays especially valuable.

Those seeking an introductory textbook on labour economics, population studies, or health economics should look elsewhere; this collection assumes some prior knowledge and prioritizes historical evaluation and editorial perspective over pedagogical coverage.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rich, expert perspectives from eighteen contributors that illuminate different facets of Perlman's career.
• Clear emphasis on the role of editorial stewardship in shaping academic discourse, useful for historians of the discipline.
• Wide topical reach linking labour markets, population, health, environment and history of economics in a single volume.

Cons

• The book's scholarly, evaluative tone means it is not a beginner-friendly introduction to the substantive economic fields discussed.

Specifications

Title	Editing Economics (Routledge Frontiers of Political Economy)
Editors/Contributors	Eighteen scholars with chapters on Perlman
Subject focus	History of economics, editorial practice, applied economics topics
Notable subjects	Labour market, population growth, health economics, environment
Historical span	Perlman's editorial period 1969-1980 and subsequent recognition
Recognition noted	Perlman named Distinguished Fellow by the History of Economics Society (2000)

Our Verdict

Editing Economics is a focused, well-sourced collection that rewards readers interested in the history and editorial dimensions of economic scholarship. Academics and advanced students will appreciate the depth and range of contributors, making the book a good value for research and historiographical reference even though it is not aimed at newcomers to the substantive disciplines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book focus on Mark Perlman's editorial work?
Yes. A central theme is Perlman's role as founding editor of the Journal of Economic Literature and how that influenced the field.

Are the essays accessible to non-specialists?
The essays are scholarly and assume familiarity with economic topics; readers without background in economics may find the material dense.

What topics beyond editorial history are covered?
Contributors explore labour markets, population growth, health economics and environmental aspects alongside the history of economic thought.