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Freakonomics  By  cover art

Freakonomics

By: Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
Narrated by: Stephen J. Dubner
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Publisher's summary

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 economist 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 the conventional wisdom on its head. Thus the new field of study contained in this audiobook: Freakonomics.

Levitt and co-author Stephen J. 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 working of a crack gang...the truth about real-estate agents...the secrets of the Klu Klux Klan.

What unites all these stories is a belief that the modern world is even more intriguing than we think. All it takes is a new way of looking, and Freakonomics will redefine the way we view the modern world.

©2006 Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (P)2006 HarperAudio

Critic reviews

"Refreshingly accessible and engrossing." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Freakonomics

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    4 out of 5 stars

life in an economics nutshell

book was great, well read by one of the authors. it's been on my 'books to read' list for a while and i'm glad i finally did. my only complaint was that it is too short.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Too high of expectations

Which led to a bit of a let down. I did want to hear for myself what the hype was about, and while unique in ways of thinking, I was wondering when it would end.

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Great learning experience!

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I enjoyed when the young college student went into the projects with his questionnaire, only to be held there for as long as he did. The story that ensued after that was amazing and it was a very enjoyable and informative part of the book.

Any additional comments?

I would suggest this book to anyone who considers themselves as having a different way of looking at things. I would also suggest that people who want to expand the ways they think about different situations and ideas.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting is an understatement.

The variety of topics this book covers is impressive. However, each topic is thoroughly researched. I was impressed with the authors ability to uncover and calculate raw statistics from uncommon places. This book makes you see the world differently.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

View the world

You can see, right off the bat, that Dubner and Levitt, see data and the world, in a unique manner. This book is loaded with fun facts and, some depressing facts. The author's weave facts, motives and much more, making for an easy enjoyable read. I'm not explaining this very well...the book rocks!!!!!

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Fascinating!

I just kept listening...in the shower, the car, while grocery shopping. This book provoked so many thoughts and is controversial in so many ways! Everyone should read this...twice!

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So much attention to detail to make it accurate

Great job explaining things and opening up my mind on new ways of thinking. It's a very interesting read! I enjoyed it quite a lot. Well rounded material as well and I wasn't ever board. Auther did a great job explaining the corliations and giving examples.

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2nd time enjoying this book. simply amazing!


I bought the first edition 10 years ago... And now I had the pleasure of enjoying the revised one.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Good, but not enough substance

Too much time was spent glorifying the authors, and one of the key points (that correlation does not imply causation) was beaten half to death. The concepts were solid, but the delivery was indirect and often tedious.

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An Eye Opening Look At Reality

I just love this stuff. While I can see how some may find the subject matter hard to stomach, or boring, the reality behind the statistics can give the thinking person a valuable insight to the truth behind trends and news stories. I find the information contained to valuable as well in lowering ones anxiety in every day life!

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