Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

Harper Collins, Sep 20, 2011 - Business & Economics - 352 pages

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.

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - beatgammit - LibraryThing

I enjoyed reading about the several examples given of somewhat surprising causes and effects. I thought the authors did a good job presenting the material and I thought it was a good read. I've read ...

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - xiaomarlo - LibraryThing

It's like a Malcolm Gladwell book, but written by economists -- it's definitely got that asshole quality about it where they're like "we're just looking at the numbers! we're the only ones being ...

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.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
• Authors: Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
• Publisher: Harper Collins, 2011
• ISBN: 0062132342, 9780062132345
• Length: 352 pages
• Subjects: Business & Economics / Economics / General; Business & Economics / Economics / Theory; Social Science / Popular Culture; Social Science / Sociology / General