Three liberal economists affiliated with the Center for Popular Economics authored this illustrated fourth edition survey of the U.S. economy and its social manifestations; the voice is critical and irreverent. Each page is a stand-alone summation of a concept--such as corporate crime, the working poor, deadbeat dads, and the cost of health care--related to the broader themes of owners, workers, women, people of color, government spending, welfare and education, health, and the environment. The final chapters on macroeconomics and the global economy are the most technical; a glossary is included especially for these. Previously published political cartoons, and the authors' charts and graphs help get the ideas across. Updates from the 2000 edition account for shifting conditions including the expansion of multinational corporations and the growing gap between the nation's rich and poor. Abundant references and sources for further reading are provided. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)