SuperFreakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance written by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, discusses microeconomics. The book discusses many topics, that at first thought would not be related, but after diving in and getting behind the scenes, you learn everything can be compared. The book explores the hidden side of just about anything you can think of, for instance: How is a street prostitute like a department-store Santa? What’s more dangerous, driving drunk or walking drunk? Can eating kangaroo save the planet? What do hurricanes, heart attacks, and highway deaths have in common? (just to name a few)
I’m not an economics major, thankfully the story telling, stats and information kept me easily entertained. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything was the first book in this series. ‘Super’ is the second and I imagine more books will follow. It’s hard for a sequel to out do its predecessor. When I read Freakonomics I had no expectations, but with ‘Super’ I have an idea of what to expect. I did like ‘Freak’ better than ‘SuperFreakonomics’ but it’s still worth a read. The main reason is, the book turns everything on its head, and that is what I love, thinking about thinking, take nothing at face value. Can hurricanes really be prevented?
While only having gleemed a few chapters of the original this book is one of those books that I think is good but not great. They take a lot of interesting views on a lot of different topics that makes the book an exciting read but from the chapters I caught could have used a bit better or more numbers to backup their claims. Those numbers may not be out there or may have went against what they said. That’s something that you really don’t know unless you are well versed in that one specific subject (and when looking at the wide variety of subjects in the book I doubt there is anyone who’s an expert in all of these) or do a bit of research after the fact to gather whether it’s 100% true or not.
So overall, if you are looking for the definitive answer to any of the subjects in this book, I’d probably look for something more specific to it. But, if you are looking for a good read that will make you think differently about a wide variety of subjects this will be perfect for you. Really anything that makes you look at things in a different light isn’t bad because being able to look at things in general from a bunch of different angles is a great skill to have.
Hey Guys…
I know i have this book on my list of books to buy and i might actually own the regular flavor of freakonomics. I am plowing through 4HWW Revised but this book is next!
Thanks for the heads up!
RR
I’m not an economics major, thankfully the story telling, stats and information kept me easily entertained. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything was the first book in this series. ‘Super’ is the second and I imagine more books will follow
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681 sounds like a nice level to start at.
While only having gleemed a few chapters of the original this book is one of those books that I think is good but not great. They take a lot of interesting views on a lot of different topics that makes the book an exciting read but from the chapters I caught could have used a bit better or more numbers to backup their claims. Those numbers may not be out there or may have went against what they said. That’s something that you really don’t know unless you are well versed in that one specific subject (and when looking at the wide variety of subjects in the book I doubt there is anyone who’s an expert in all of these) or do a bit of research after the fact to gather whether it’s 100% true or not.
So overall, if you are looking for the definitive answer to any of the subjects in this book, I’d probably look for something more specific to it. But, if you are looking for a good read that will make you think differently about a wide variety of subjects this will be perfect for you. Really anything that makes you look at things in a different light isn’t bad because being able to look at things in general from a bunch of different angles is a great skill to have.
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Hey Guys…
I know i have this book on my list of books to buy and i might actually own the regular flavor of freakonomics. I am plowing through 4HWW Revised but this book is next!
Thanks for the heads up!
RR