Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything Features

Additional Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything Information

Which is more dangerous, a gun or a swimming pool? What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? Why do drug dealers still live with their moms? How much do parents really matter? How did the legalization of abortion affect the rate of violent crime?

These may not sound like typical questions for an econo-mist to ask. But Steven D. Levitt is not a typical economist. He is a much-heralded scholar who studies the riddles of everyday life—from cheating and crime to sports and child-rearing—and whose conclusions turn conventional wisdom on its head.

Freakonomics is a groundbreaking collaboration between Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, an award-winning author and journalist. They usually begin with a mountain of data and a simple question. Some of these questions concern life-and-death issues; others have an admittedly freakish quality. Thus the new field of study contained in this book: freakonomics.

Through forceful storytelling and wry insight, Levitt and Dubner show that economics is, at root, the study of incentives—how people get what they want, or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing. In Freakonomics, they explore the hidden side of . . . well, everything. The inner workings of a crack gang. The truth about real-estate agents. The myths of campaign finance. The telltale marks of a cheating schoolteacher. The secrets of the Klu Klux Klan.

What unites all these stories is a belief that the modern world, despite a great deal of complexity and downright deceit, is not impenetrable, is not unknowable, and—if the right questions are asked—is even more intriguing than we think. All it takes is a new way of looking.

Freakonomics establishes this unconventional premise: If morality represents how we would like the world to work, then economics represents how it actually does work. It is true that readers of this book will be armed with enough riddles and stories to last a thousand cocktail parties. But Freakonomics can provide more than that. It will literally redefine the way we view the modern world.

What Customers Say About Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything:

Amazon is the best. Great book at a great price with a speedy delivery.

I would recommend the book if you are in the mood for something a little different. Some of the stats you might already know, but it doesn't detract from the book. Pretty interesting book. I enjoyed the way the subject matter was presented i.e why do gang members live with their mothers etc.

I was disappointed. The positive was that this book was an easy read. However, the content was somewhat ridiculous and was really not that stimulating.

Would probably interest someone more if they actually enjoyed economics. It wasn't the best read that I thought it was going to be. It's not my typical reading choice, but I thought I'd give it a try.

I loved it and have bought and read, the sequel,"Super Freakonomics." In addition to revealing the significance of less than vital trivia Freakonomics' authors keep readers turning pages with a depth of understanding of human nature and those unconcious forces that drive us to do what we do.Freakonomics should be required reading for all politicians from dog catchers to presidents.