Friday, October 03, 2008

Freakonomics


A few months ago Donna mentioned Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner's book, Freakonomics. I'd seen the book at the library - I even checked it out, but returned it without reading it because I had no time and other books seemed more interesting.

But Donna encouraged me to give it a try, and when I saw the audio book for sale at the library for fifty cents, I decided to listen to it.

This revised and expanded version is 8 hours long, and is read by one of the authors, Stephen J. Dubner. I listened to it in the car during the month of September. Several times, I had passengers with me who, although they thought they'd be bored to sleep listening to a book on economics, listened with fascination and without complaint.

Steven D. Levitt's studies in economics are not typical. He is mainly interested in lying, cheating, and crime. In this book I learned about cheating teachers, how real-estate agents take care of their best interests, the structure of drug gangs, how child-rearing experts work, what effect the legalization of abortion had on violent crime, how one's name can affect his success in life, and more.

This is not like the other economics books we have, but I think it's a "keeper."

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5 Comments:

Blogger Tracy Batchelder said...

It was a challenge to stay awake in my college economics class, but this sounds interesting.

2:31 PM  
Blogger Donna Boucher said...

Oh Laura,
I am so glad you liked it!
I have seen the authors interviewed. They are facinating and interesting guys!

6:48 PM  
Blogger Sherri said...

Hi Laura,

I just found your Blog and I am a fellow weaver, spinner! I don't know that many people who spin or weave much anymore. I'd love to chat with you about spinning-my e-mail is cmcdermitt1@carolina.rr.com. I live in Charlotte, NC.

6:25 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I have to say I was one of those passengers!!:)

10:28 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Yes, you were! And Penny, Sarah and Joan were the others.

11:09 PM  

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