Think Like a Freak

The Authors of Freakonomics Offer to Retrain Your Brain

By: Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

Narrated by: Stephen J. Dubner

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling Freakonomics changed the way we see the world, exposing the hidden side of just about everything.

Now, with Think Like a Freak, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner have written their most revolutionary book yet. With their trademark blend of captivating storytelling and unconventional analysis, they take us inside their thought process and offer a blueprint for an entirely new way to solve problems. The topics range from business to philanthropy to sports to politics, all with the goal of retraining your brain. Along the way, you’ll learn the secrets of a Japanese hot-dog-eating champion, the reason an Australian doctor swallowed a batch of dangerous bacteria, and why Nigerian e-mail scammers make a point of saying they’re from Nigeria.

Levitt and Dubner plainly see the world like no one else. Now you can, too. Never before have such iconoclastic thinkers been so revealing - and so much fun to read.

Steven D. Levitt, a professor of economics at the University of Chicago, was awarded the John Bates Clark medal, given to the most influential American economist under the age of 40.

Stephen J. Dubner, an award-winning journalist and radio and TV personality, has worked for The New York Times and published three non-Freakonomics books.

©2014 Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Good book, cheap ending

I really liked this book. Builds on the previous works by the authors. Interesting material. Makes you think. I didn't like the addition of the podcasts at the end. Seems like a way to pad the material to make it longer. On the other hand, it turned me on to the podcasts. Overall, I give it a 4.

Great if you don't listen to the podcasts

If you are a regular listener to the Freakonomics podcast, the vast majority of this material will be familiar...like word for word from the podcast, but without the added interest of interviews and the Inter-Steve banter that you get on their show.

If you are unfamiliar with the podcast (what's your problem??!?) then this is an interesting discussion of ways to think about problems. There is a good mix of real world examples and summaries of studies and papers presented in an approachable and engaging style.

Thought provoking

Really helps you to look at things from a different perspective. A very good listen.

Think like a Freak!

Fun, interesting way to look at a question. This book will open your eyes to looking at a problem in different ways!

Short stories, well connected

There is a lot to like about this book. I really enjoyed the multiple short stories format that remained connected without repeating large chunks.

fantastic

this is a great book. will listen to it again and I always do enjoy any book written by Levitt and Dubner. I guess that's my bias

Fun and interesting

Would you consider the audio edition of Think Like a Freak to be better than the print version?

It's such fun to listen to and learn. I listened while driving, cleaning my house, or just plain relaxing and each chapter was interesting and always presented something new to learn.

What about Stephen J. Dubner’s performance did you like?

I liked Dubner's performance very much because it was relaxed, and easy to listen to, moving smoothly and beautifully through each chapter, always tempting me to go on. I kept on saying "Just one more chapter" even though I might be sitting in my parking space ready to go into my house.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had had the time, I probably would. Unfortunately, my schedule is so impacted that that's the reason I actually started to listen to Audible.

Not as great as the other Freak books

Not as great as the other Freak books. I love these books but the others challenged my way of thinking a little more.

There are just not enough new podcasts or books!

I love each of the books and podcasts. They always remind me to look at things differently and validate some of the "crazy" "freak" views I've always had.

Loved it...

Makes you think and think about thinking. Helps you objectively solve problems with economists reasoning. Enjoyed the various podcasts at the end. Want to listen to the other freak books now.