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Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything (Papercover) | ![Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything (Papercover)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jHm4FYPXL._SL500_.jpg) | Author: Stephen J. Dubner Steven D. Levitt
Creators: Paperback: 320 pages, Publisher: William Morrow; 2nd edition (2006)
Buy Used: $24.55
as of 11/21/2009 11:18 CST details
Used (2) from $24.55
Seller: Chowderific Books
Rating:  1697 reviews
Sales Rank: 1411317
Media: Paperback
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 8.7 x 5.7 x 1
ASIN: B001T4K1QO
Publication Date: 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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 lifefrom cheating and crime to sports and child-rearingand 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.
Through forceful storytelling and wry insight, Levitt and Dubner show that economics is, at root, the study of incentiveshow people get what they want, or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing. In this, 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, andif the right questions are askedis 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 it can provide more than that. It will literally redefine the way we view the modern world.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 1697
 Started at 5 stars, then... November 20, 2009
Bill O. (Philly)
Like being at a nerdy cocktail party playing "Seven Degrees of Kevin Bacon" with statistics, but without the cocktails. Great hook with the speculation that legalizing abortion resulted in decreased crime rate, but downhill from there as the comparisons become more labored and tedious. Couldn't bring myself to finish it.
Ok at best November 17, 2009
Some Guy (US)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Decent but the cool title probably has as much or more to do with this books popularity than anything.
 Awesonomics November 17, 2009
D. Wacker (Los Angeles, CA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is a great book for anyone interested in economics. It takes you on a journey of unexpected correlations and defies conventional wisdom. The book shows you truths you never would of expected or thought of with bamboozling statistics and data. It is an easy, enjoyable book for ages 18-168. Also the book is not very long and keeps you entertained. Levitt and Dubner team up to be an awesome duo and they are by far some awesome economists. I high recommend it. Enough Said.
Must Own November 15, 2009
Smokey E
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Everyone and anyone should own this book. Humorous insight to the world from an economic point of view without using the wordy terminology.
A cool brain teaser November 13, 2009
Gustavas Jankauskas (Lithuania)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Want to look smart at a party? Need a perfect ice-breaker? Want to be witty and charming by "spontaneously" sharing few interesting and/but weird facts with your colleagues? This is a book for you.
It offers totally new insight to the facts that might seem to have nothing in common from the first glance, is witty and captivating - great book to relax on your free time, but still, with getting some intelectual stimulation.
My personal favourite chapter is about how names "determine" kid's future. Want to know more? You'll have to read it.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 1697
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