Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 1582
 Makes you think! August 26, 2006
Steven K. Szmutko (EWING, NJ USA)
24 out of 26 found this review helpful
FREAKONOMICS is a fascinating journey into the world of critical thinking. There are so many "ah-ha" moments in the book: some reinforces unexpressed ponderings within our own mind; others generate discomfort and discomfort. All challenge conventional "wisdom" and compel the reader to think critically and examine anew the major (and minor) issues of our time.
Whether the authors consider the notion of perfect parenting, why drug dealers live with mommy, similarities between sumo wrestlers and schoolteachers, they present their information, research, methodology, and conclusions in an engaging manner.
You may disagree with their approach. You may be repulsed by their conclusions. But you will look at all sorts of things in a new, different, and perhaps a more thoughtful manner upon reading this book.
Amazing Book That Will Open Your Mind April 16, 2005
No One Important (Cultural Ether)
32 out of 36 found this review helpful
In the world of economics, Steve Levitt is a rock star. He's the hot ticket out there. His seminars are packed; students and other professors travel across world to study and work with him. He received tenure at the University of Chicago two years (!) after getting his Ph.D. He has already won the most prestigious prizes economics has to offer at age 37, he received tenure at the University and there is little doubt that one day, 20 or 30 years from now, he will win The Prize. He is just that good.
Why? Like Gary Becker before him, he takes economics out of the realm of the stuffy and dry and boring and it applies to topics no one had ever thought about it applying it to before. He is a genius at making the data sing.
His questions will challenge you, his answers may anger you, but you won't ever see the world the same way again. And his writing is completely accessible to non-economists.
Some examples of the questions he asks: Did crime in the 1990s go down because there were more cops on the streets, we were betting winning the war on drugs, or because of Roe v. Wade?
Just how profitable is it to be in drug gang versus working in McDonalds? And just what are the economic profits from dealing drugs?
Is Sumo wrestling fixed?
Does having your real-estate work on commission mean that he/she will work to make sure you will get the highest sales price out there?
Does campaign spending determine the outcomes of elections?
In all these questions, Levitt relishes in challenging common perceptions and "wisdom". And he gets his answers not through crazy complicated math but by the getting data to reveal its secrets to him in unique ways.
If you like being intellectually challenged, if you want to see the world in a new way, if you want to read the writings of one of the most creative and sharpest minds alive today, then buy this book.
Interesting and Entertaining Read if You Want a Different View of Economic Science August 17, 2006
David De Sousa
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
One thing you will certainly find in this book: A lot of interesting facts and controversial points of view about many things and aspects of the actual world that the most of us consider important. The book is written in a conversational way, and treats everything using a language that is understandable by anyone.
If you don't understand the first thing about economics this book is for you, and if you consider yourself an expert on economic theory this book is still for you. Written by an unorthodox and intelligent economist together with a journalist, this book is absolutely a very interesting and eye opening read. Even when you don't agree with the authors' points of view on an specific topic, you will find yourself thinking about what they said.
Worth owning and keeping on your bookshelf. April 15, 2005
Hallstatt Prince (MA. USA)
26 out of 29 found this review helpful
An accessible well written enjoyable work on economics that offers unique insights to today's big questions. It is a timely work with which ever reader should become familiar.
When I was an undergraduate, although I studied the hard sciences, I found economics to be the most impenetrable counterintuitive subjects I had ever encountered. I wish I had this book then.
But this is much more than a book about economics as the authors offer new perspectives about just about everything through economic theories. Some of the underlying ideas are not completely new but even those are brought to a satisfying fruition. This book gives the reader a unique view of the world through an economist's eyes. Events which seem disconnected or driven by other influences are revealed with great clarity as having basic economic principles behind them. Through this vision the world, a world which sometimes seems in chaos, becomes a web of underlying economic principles.
A winner.
Highly Entertaining, Easy Reading, & Very Interesting November 29, 2005
M. Newton (Dallas, TX USA)
22 out of 24 found this review helpful
This is not your typical book about economics. In fact, much of the book covers topics that seemingly have very little to do with economics. The book flows very smoothly and requires no education beyond basic reading comprehension. The authors jump around to various interesting topics and attempt to find unusual and surprising relationships. The book succeeds, not so much for being educational, but by being very fun to read and really keeping the readers interest.
The topics covered include the highly controversial and much debated question of whether or not abortion reduced crime in the last few years by reducing unwanted babies who would have likely become criminals. But other, not so controversial topics are often more interesting. The authors dicuss the inner workings of a crack gang and how it is similar to a McDonalds franchise. They question the impact a name a baby is given has on its future success in life. They even cover what makes a person likely to get dates on an internet dating service (hint: slim, blonde females do have more fun)
Overall the book should keep almost all readers entertained. However, the authors dispute some previous studies with their own findings, but then don't provide an appendix with details for their studies. Therefore, I don't blindly accept things they claim to be true. This book is pop economics, not a serious economic study. However, you don't have to believe everything they say to enjoy this book.
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