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Freakonomics

A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

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Freakonomics

By: Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
Narrated by: Stephen J. Dubner
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Assume nothing, question everything.

This is the message at the heart of Freakonomics, Levitt and Dubner's rule-breaking, iconoclastic book about crack dealers, cheating teachers and bizarre baby names that turned everyone's view of the world upside-down and became an international multi-million-copy-selling phenomenon.

©2005 Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (P)2005 Penguin Audio Economics Microeconomics Social Sciences Sociology Theory

Critic Reviews

"Prepare to be dazzled." (Malcolm Gladwell)

"A sensation...you'll be stimulated, provoked and entertained. Of how many books can that be said?" (Sunday Telegraph)

"Has you chuckling one minute and gasping in amazement the next." (Wall Street Journal)
All stars
Most relevant  
A great listen, intelligent and thought provoking. Highly recommended to anyone with a working brain

Incredibly interesting

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I always thought that economics was a theoretical practice with many hypothesis and claims that didn't always add up well in the real world. This books gives a glimpse into the mind of an economist who strives to find the real drivers behind human behaviour and outcomes in society and had a measure of success in pin pointing some of those items. Which is rare feat by any standard, Data and observation coupled with logical mindset is demonstrated here to be a powerful tool. Well narrated and pleasure to listen to.

Impactful economic thinking

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An interesting meld of data driven economics and sociology exploring different ways to ask research questions and interpret data.

Only real criticism is the chapter divisions in the recording do not line up with the actual chapter divisions so it randomly plays an irritating jingle in the middle of making a case or presenting information.

Meld of data driven economics & sociology

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liked it, didn't have an overarching theme but made you think about challenging conventional wisdom

overall good

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It was by pure chance that I picked up this book in the first place. I was in a Cafe and this book was nestled against the napkin holder and the window. I picked it up and before the food came out, I had read the entire chapter about why crack dealers live with their mums. I then explained the chapter to my partner (who studied a Bach of Commerce (I'm almost done a Bach of Business) so this stuff is very interesting to both of us), who found it highly entertaining and odd. I couldn't wait to buy the book, so I bought the audio book instead. We both listened to it within 24 hours. Seriously interesting. I wish there was more...

I didn't want to put this down.

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I’ve read many excerpts from this book over the years but only just listened to the whole. It is a fantastic data driven yet very human look at the measured facts. Easy to understand as it is well structured and interesting. Well done.

Fresh, bold and fearless digging into the data

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A no-nonsense, pragmatic deep dive into the work of Steven D. Levitt and how economic principles have been applied to solve complex everyday problems. Highly recommended!

Fantastic

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Lets you think about the questions youre asking when the answers and data cannot lie

Interesting use of data

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Human behavior is fascinating. This book explores incentives and how they influence choices to act or not act across a diverse range of non-conventional case studies with an emphasizes on crime, cheating, corruption, and gambling. It's all about what motives people.

Unique Perspectives, some insights into human nature

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similar concept to Malcolm Gladwells outliers, lots of stats with no call to action. Apart from some interesting observations, not much to takeaway from it.

ok, not great

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