Freakonomics Rev Ed: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

Steven D. Levitt · Stephen J. Dubner

Feb 2010 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

The legendary bestseller that made millions look at the world in a radically different way returns in a new edition, now including an exclusive discussion between the authors and bestselling professor of psychology Angela Duckworth.

Which is more dangerous, a gun or a swimming pool? Which should be feared more: snakes or french fries? Why do sumo wrestlers cheat? In this groundbreaking book, leading economist Steven Levitt—Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago and winner of the American Economic Association’s John Bates Clark medal for the economist under 40 who has made the greatest contribution to the discipline—reveals that the answers. Joined by acclaimed author and podcast host Stephen J. Dubner, Levitt presents a brilliant—and brilliantly entertaining—account of how incentives of the most hidden sort drive behavior in ways that turn conventional wisdom on its head.

Ratings and reviews

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." Aaron Levenstein This book raised some controversy because it takes statistics and breaks what are considered truths by the public. The book is interesting and gives a different perspective on several social problems (including abortion and drug dealing), but one could easily argue for or against the points.

This book, each chapter has to compare blacks with whites. And in each circumstance a white person has the upperhand to the black individual. It's horrible, they also contradict themselves quite often. The only reason I have finished this book was because I had to read it for a class. I would definitely not reccomend this book.

This is definitely worth reading, and promises to give you a pretty enlightening view in the world of social economics, and leaving very little untouched. Not for the faint of heart.

About the author

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 forty. He is also a founder of The Greatest Good, which applies Freakonomics-style thinking to business and philanthropy.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. He is the host of Freakonomics Radio and Tell Me Something I Don't Know.

Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning author, journalist, and radio and TV personality. He quit his first career—as an almost rock star—to become a writer. He has since taught English at Columbia, worked for The New York Times, and published three non-Freakonomics books.