Reading Robert Frank. Or the Other Robert Frank.

Robert Frank is a reporter who covers private wealth for The Wall Street Journal. Robert H. Frank is an economist and professor at Cornell University who contributes to The New York Times. Confused? As noted in a recent article in The Times, there are, in fact, two Robert Franks. And to make matters even more confusing, both are publishing economics books this summer. Mr. Frank's book, Richistan: A Journey Through the American Wealth Boom and the Lives of the New Rich (Crown), is a "colorful" collection of stories about the lifestyles of wealthy Americans. Professor Frank's book, Falling Behind: How Inequality Harms the Middle Class (UC Press), explores the meaning of happiness and prosperity in America today, showing in lively, accessible prose how increased concentrations of wealth at the top of the economic pyramid have set off "expenditure cascades" that raise the cost of achieving many basic goals for the middle class. Still confused? Read the complete article here.