Freakonomics

[INTJoe]

This is a low-content thread, but I'm wondering if anyone has read this book, Freakonomics. I perused it a bit yesterday at Borders and it looks quite interesting.

I was pretty sure I heard my INTJ friend making a passing comment about the book several months ago. But he may have been talking about another book. Anyway it was like $30 so I didn't buy it, but if people on this forum have read it and think it's a good read, I may get it for Christmas or sooner.

Feel free to discuss the book herein. Or if Blueback thinks this is too low-content then feel free to delete thread. I'm so stingy that I won't buy a book unless smart people think it's worthwhile!

[dragonsscout]

I really liked the book. Most of his stuff wasn't too revolutionary, but he had some interesting points, especially about books, names, and education.

I don't know if I'd buy it, but it was a great read. If you're looking for an interesting book, or a book on oddball microeconomics, then read it.

[Synamon]

It sounds interesting (just read an online review of it) I'll put it on hold at the library and save the $30 bucks though.

[Exponential]

I've got this book, I thought it was absolutely fantastic, very interesting reading.

There are also other books in a slightly similar vein, look up the author "Tim Harford" and his books "The undercover Economist" and "The Logic of life" (Freakonomics was still the best of the 3 though).

I'm also subscribed to the official blog (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) but the content has not been overly interesting (to me) as of late, too Americanized.

Freakonomics the book - highly recommended

[Alexander]

I read it and really enjoyed it. I found most of its value in realizing how some economic connections are made. It's a very easy read however and you could probably do it in a few trips to your local bookstore that lets you read there.

To me it's not worthwhile to buy as I've never had a reason to keep it. I've lent it out a few times though. If you can read it at the library or borrow it.

[Americano]

I really enjoyed it. The guy is a very outside-the-box thinking economist; very interesting read.

[INTJoe]

Cool, sounds like a must-read for me then.

I like to buy good non-fiction books so that I can highlight them and lend them out to siblings or friends that I think would benefit.

Thanks for the input, y'all.

[JessicaHavenLea]

This is a low-content thread, but I'm wondering if anyone has read this book, Freakonomics. I perused it a bit yesterday at Borders and it looks quite interesting.

I was pretty sure I heard my INTJ friend making a passing comment about the book several months ago. But he may have been talking about another book. Anyway it was like $30 so I didn't buy it, but if people on this forum have read it and think it's a good read, I may get it for Christmas or sooner.

Feel free to discuss the book herein. Or if Blueback thinks this is too low-content then feel free to delete thread. I'm so stingy that I won't buy a book unless smart people think it's worthwhile!


I have it. I don't know if I qualify as "smart enough" but I think it's great. I had no idea an economist could be funny.

[meanlittlechimp]

I read it, wasn't bad. I put it around average to medicore for books in the genre (which I'm a huge sucker for).

Wasn't nearly as good as Gladwell's "Tipping Point", and slightly below Ariely's "Predictably Irrational" and Suroweicki's "Wisdom of Crowds."

[Cicatrix]

I have it and loved it. Its worth the price just for the bit about the link between corrupted spelling of names and mothers years of education. Ill never look at a name like "Khayceii" in the same way again.

[Exponential]

Wasn't nearly as good as Gladwell's "Tipping Point", and slightly below Ariely's "Predictably Irrational" and Suroweicki's "Wisdom of Crowds."


I've read The Tipping Point and Wisdom of Crowds, both were good... if you're doing a book shopping spree, pick them up as well ;)

Also, The Long Tail, Critical Mass and Blink all make for interesting reading.

[Merle]

I'm a bit of a dissenter here - I thought it was kind of dull, and pretty much state-the-obvious. If you're interested in actual economics it's not worth it, it's just pop-economics and not very well written pop-economics at that.