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Product Description
Wall Street Journal
‘Freakonomics reads like a detective novel … has you chuckling one minute and gasping in amazement the next’
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Sunday Telegraph
‘A sensation … you’ll be stimulated, provoked and entertained. Of how many books can that be said?’
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book does two important things - it challenges the reader to really think about the causes of things, and it makes modern economic thinking interesting and accessible to the mass audience. It's also a good, fun read, and for all these reasons it should be applauded.
In this book Steven Levitt develops ideas about a number of aspects of economic and social development which challenge received wisdom. He then both challenges traditional analyses, and offers solid support for his theories using detailed analysis of a number of unusual but highly reliable data sources.
For example, he attributes the dramatic fall of crime rates in the USA in the 1990s to greater access to abortion 20 years earlier, rather than traditional explanations like better policing. Drawing on a number of unimpeachable data sources he provides strong support for his hypothesis over more common ones.
Another fascinating chapter analyses the economics of drug dealing, and concludes that most crack dealers would be better off with regular minimum-wage jobs.
However, these are the high points, and towards the end the book starts to feel like the authors didn't have enough material for a 200 page book. There's a fair amount of repetition, and the later chapters start to feel a bit light. The last chapter, on trends in children's names, is really rather boring and tells us very little of interest.
This is a shame, because the core of the book is excellent. It will hold your interest, but don't expect a lot of pages for your money. Maybe the authors are genuinely very clever.
In this book Steven Levitt develops ideas about a number of aspects of economic and social development which challenge received wisdom. He then both challenges traditional analyses, and offers solid support for his theories using detailed analysis of a number of unusual but highly reliable data sources.
For example, he attributes the dramatic fall of crime rates in the USA in the 1990s to greater access to abortion 20 years earlier, rather than traditional explanations like better policing. Drawing on a number of unimpeachable data sources he provides strong support for his hypothesis over more common ones.
Another fascinating chapter analyses the economics of drug dealing, and concludes that most crack dealers would be better off with regular minimum-wage jobs.
However, these are the high points, and towards the end the book starts to feel like the authors didn't have enough material for a 200 page book. There's a fair amount of repetition, and the later chapters start to feel a bit light. The last chapter, on trends in children's names, is really rather boring and tells us very little of interest.
This is a shame, because the core of the book is excellent. It will hold your interest, but don't expect a lot of pages for your money. Maybe the authors are genuinely very clever.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I would have never picked this book myself; I wouldn't have even stumbled upon it. My boyfriend bought it in the airport book shop as we went on holiday and was so entertained that he kept reading bits to me. I decided to read it myself, even though I can't say I have any understanding of economics whatsoever. I found I learned quite a bit and was very entertained by the insights into society and the chances people are given or make for themselves.
I particularly enjoyed the parts about babies names having an impact on their employment chances and the organisation of drug gangs being simiar to McDonalds! I think it gives a very modern and enjoyable view of what I would (rightly or 'wrongly') consider a very stuffy subject. I found myself surprised I had never thought of the topics covered before and questionning the organisation of certain parts of society. It's great for anyone who likes dark humour and irony and feels very fresh and hip.
I particularly enjoyed the parts about babies names having an impact on their employment chances and the organisation of drug gangs being simiar to McDonalds! I think it gives a very modern and enjoyable view of what I would (rightly or 'wrongly') consider a very stuffy subject. I found myself surprised I had never thought of the topics covered before and questionning the organisation of certain parts of society. It's great for anyone who likes dark humour and irony and feels very fresh and hip.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As mentioned at several points, this book is an expansion of a newspaper article that the authors wrote together. It is a very interesting gallop through new and sometimes extraordinary research by both the author and other new economists. The work on drug gangs is particularly good.
However, the book is quite short and the style of writing is US magazine-lite. As a bright introduction to some of the more surprising uses of economics and statistics, it's a very good, quick read but it's all over very quickly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Need to read
Haven't had the chance to read the book completely, but from what I've already read, it's right to say that everyone should read it. Read more
Published 24 days ago by PV from Flanders
Poor Kindle Edition
Nothing wrong with the book itself (I was actually re-reading it), but for the price this is a poor Kindle edition - tables that don't fit on the screen - footnotes that go nowhere... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Stephen
Interesting but not riveting
I'm glad I bought this as a second-hand book, not sure it is worth the full price. However I did enjoy reading it as it gives a different perspective on perceived wisdom.
Published 2 months ago by R. J. Zwolinsky
Jeff A
I must be reading a different book than everyone else. It's hard work and even the start is incredibly boring which is why I don't want to struggle for another 3 months reaching... Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. G. Anderson
freakonomics
This is an interesting read but is very low on content i got half way through when it ran out of subject matter and then basically talked about the author, making the cost way... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. B. Ellis
Poorly formatted Kindle edition
The book itself is an interesting read. It's thought-provoking and written in an accessible style.
However, the Kindle edition has been assembled with little thought. Read more
However, the Kindle edition has been assembled with little thought. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Aaron
Very interesting read
I wanted to check out this book after it was listed as a "must read" on the Mens Health website. I now know the meaning behind the word economics and some interesting stories. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Christopher J. Brown
A hilarious but stimulating read
I chose to read this book when I began studying Economics at University. I can surely say that it is a hilarious read, and something you will find hard to put down. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Anon
an interesting insight into indulgence, investment, industry,...
A friend told me about this book. I had it on my Christmas list, but got impatient.
I have only read the first third, but I am finding it very interesting. Read more
I have only read the first third, but I am finding it very interesting. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Andrew Scott
brilliant
This is possibly one of the most interesting books I've ever read. The combination of research techniques and angles opens your eyes to some fascinating insights. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Laura Mckernan
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