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I find that many contemporary macroeconomics textbooks are too applied, filled with examples, case studies and intuitive illustrations, often at the expense of quantitative rigour and therefore the depth of the understanding they convey.

Is there a canonical, quantitative textbook for central macroeconomic concepts and models? This should be preferably readable at an advanced undergraduate level.

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Lets try to stick with the meta guide line: One suggestion per answer, s.t. we can vote on books individually. –  FooBar 2 days ago

4 Answers 4

Advanced Macroeconomics by David Romer, now in its fourth edition. Link contains TOC and a sample chapter.

The presentation consists of formal theory models, but with lots of intuition too, followed by light empirical applications.

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This book, on the new-keynesian model, if I remember corretly, takes many liberties which are not allowed, all to be more intuitive... –  An old man in the sea. 22 hours ago
The New Keynesian topics are only ~2.5 chapters, and those have been much improved since the previous edition. –  Dimitriy V. Masterov 16 hours ago

Introduction to Modern Economic Growth

By Daron Acemoglu

As with Ljungqvist and Sargent, I believe it's better to overshoot undergrad econ than to look for simple texts. Despite the title, this introductory graduate textbook by Acemoglu prepares the reader for macro. The book presents the neoclassical growth model and its various enhancements (which you'll see elsewhere later). Thorough and clear exposition, math appendix, many exercises for self-learning.

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Recursive Macroeconomic Theory

By Lars Ljungqvist and Thomas J. Sargent

Assuming you want rigor, it's better to try this graduate-level textbook early and pick later things you need to understand it.

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Macroeconomic Theory - Benassy

All of the books suggested are great. I also like Macroeconomic Theory by Benassy as it's not too difficult to follow and is on the level of Romer. Great reference for looking up certain models or getting some intuition on theory. This is my go when looking up a basic model and then I'll reference Romer for more insight.

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