Recession - "a period of reduced economic activity" I do not know enough to talk about bull and bear markets. I do know that my lifestyle has fallen victim to the recession. I buy less, eat out less, travel less and look for cheap theatres. I also buy fewer books and use my library more for reading material. For those of you who would like to learn more about economics and the recession here are some new titles to try:

Economic Literacy: Basic Economics with an Attitude by Frederic S. Weaver

One Foot Out the Door: How to Combat the psychological Recession That's Alienating Employees and Hurting American Business by Judith M. Bardwick

This Land Is Their Land: Reports from a Divided Nation by Barbara Ehrenreich